Summary

The believers shine as lights holding fast to the word of life. The word refers to the word of God—here specifically the gospel of Christ that Paul preaches. It is the word of life. Light (Philippians 2:15) and life (Philippians 2:16) belong together (cf. John 1:4 and John 8:12). The word of life means the word that is life and brings life—life with God. The word life may also remind us of the fact that the word of God has life-giving power.

If the Philippians live in this way, Paul will be proud in the day of Christ. In other words, in the day of Christ he may boast that he has not run and laboured in vain. This does not mean that on that day Paul himself will boast of having worked hard. It may also mean that the Philippians will provide this glory (see Philippians 1:26). What Paul writes about himself in other texts shows that he never intends to please himself. Compare this to 2 Corinthians 1:14, where the glory of Paul and the church comes from both sides.

Paul uses the image of the running athlete (see also 1 Corinthians 9:24 and Galatians 2:2). Perhaps he is literally referring to his many travels, often on foot. The words striving oneself, toiling is used by Paul more often to indicate his work as an apostle.