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Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world holding forth the Word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. The Church is essentially as active society. An inactive Church is a solecism. Activity is not only the condition of its health, strength, and growth, but the condition of its very existence. Inactivity is death. The text leads us to look upon its activity in relation to various things.

I. IN RELATION TO THE SPIRIT WHICH SHOULD INSPIRE IT.

1. The spirit should uncomplaining. "Do all things without murmurings (γογγυσμῶν)." In Peter this word is translated "grudging." It represents a discontented soul. It is not uncommon, alas! to find men in the Church discontented - discontented with their fellow-members, their minister, their work. This gongusmos is a growl which is most painful and mischievous in Church operations.

2. The spirit should be uncontentious. "Disputings." There is a strong tendency in some persons to enter into contention and raise a strife. The smallest points of difference are seized. This disputatious spirit has been rife in all ages. The theological controversies, sectarian battlings, the schismatic stripes of the Church, have been her disgrace and her bane.

3. The spirit should be irreprehensible. "That ye may be blameless and harmless." The expression means faultless and sincere. Christians should exemplify such a spirit and maintain such a deportment as would guard them from the rebukes of the severest critics of life.

II. IN RELATION TO THE SPHERE OF ITS OPERATIONS. "A crooked and perverse nation." Though, perhaps, Paul especially refers in these words to the bigoted Jews and Gentiles, amongst whom the Philippians lived, they are not inapplicable to the unconverted world. The world, as distinguished from the Church, living outside and around it, is indeed wicked and perverse. The world is the sphere of the Church. And how corrupt in its maxims, in its aims, in its spirit, in its theories, practices, and institutions! The prince of darkness is its ruler. He worketh in the children of disobedience.

III. IN RELATION TO THE MISSION IT PROSECUTES. "Holding forth the Word of life." Observe:

1. Its instrument. "The Word of life." The gospel is the Word of life. It reveals, generates, nourishes, and perfects Divine life in the soul.

2. Its method. "Holding forth." The language is figurative. Hold this Word forth as a standard-bearer holds forth his banner to direct the march and animate his soldiers in the day of battle. Hold it forth as a light in the midst of surrounding darkness. Some think there is in the text an allusion to those towers which in ancient times were built at the entrance of harbours, and on which fires were kept burning to direct ships into port. It should be held forth as the lighthouse holds forth that flaming lamp that flashes its radiance on the dark sea to guide the mariner on his way. Hold it forth, not only trinally, but practically; let it turn your whole being into a light that shall shine brightly as a star in the world's dark firmament.

IV. IN RELATION TO THE MINISTRY THAT STIMULATES IT. Christ has appointed a ministry in the Church. The design of that ministry is to stimulate and guide its activity. Paul had ministered to the Church at Philippi, and he uses the service he had rendered as an argument for their continued Christian activity. "That I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." There is nothing selfish in this reason. But there is something very suggestive in Paul's words. They imply:

1. That the Church may render fruitless the labors of its minister. This is a solemn truth, and one exemplified in the history of many congregations. An indolent, ignorant, worldly, inconsistent Church must ever render futile the services of the best of ministers. Even Paul dreaded it.

2. That such an event is a calamity to be deprecated. Paul did so now. Deprecated, not on selfish grounds, for the true minister has his reward in his own holy efforts. But on account of those who augment their responsibility and increase their guilt by an abuse of the means of grace.

3. That the results of the Christian ministry will be fully revealed on the day of judgment. This day is here called "the day of Christ." It is his day, because he will appear on that day; he will be the most prominent object on that day; he will rule the destinies of that day. - D.T.

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KJV: Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

WEB: Do all things without murmurings and disputes,