Gr. kopiaō, “to labor with wearisome effort,” from the noun kopos, “exhausting toil.” Paul accurately describes his arduous evangelistic toil (cf. 1 Cor. 15:10; Col. 1:29; 1 Thess. 2:19).

 The expression recalls the stadium contests and illustrates the strenuous efforts Paul expended in his evangelistic activities (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24; Heb. 12:1). “In vain” means “to no purpose,” “without result” (cf. 2 Cor. 6:1; Gal. 2:2; 1 Thess. 3:5). The apostle’s sense of responsibility for his converts was strong. His great longing was that they should remain faithful (AA 206, 207). He was not content with having worked, but wanted to see eternal fruitage for his sacrificial labor.

 The phrase is peculiar to this epistle. The usual expression is “day of the Lord” (see on ch. 1:6). Paul was continually aware that the great objective of life would be reached at the day of the return of Christ to this world. He knew that any rejoicing or glorying that might be done now could, through human frailty, fail of being true rejoicing in that day. If he could glory in the results of his labors in the day of Christ, he knew that his glorying would be permanent. Paul recognized that day as the day when every man’s work would be tested (see 1 Cor. 3:12, 13; 4:3-5; 2 Cor. 1:14).

 Gr. eis kauchēma emoi, literally, “for a cause of glorying to me.” For kauchēma see on ch. 1:26. Paul wanted to have grounds for rejoicing in the consistent lives of his Philippian friends (cf. on 1 Thess. 2:19, 20).

Two interpretations of this verb are possible. The first takes “holding forth” as an extension of the previous verse and sees the figure of the church holding out the word of life as one holds a torch to illumine darkness. As Christians demonstrate what the word has accomplished in their own lives and speak the word clearly and simply, they exhibit it to others as the way of life and light.

 Life is light. Christ is the life (see John 1:4; 6:48; 14:6) and the light (see John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46), and is the source of both. His followers also are light, but it is derived light (see on Matt. 5:14). The essence of the gospel is light (Eph. 5:8). As thought is expressed in word, so the light of truth is expressed in the life.

The Christian can hold out the word of life to the non-Christian, but he cannot make him accept it. Each must willingly accept for himself. One cannot partake of the word for another any more than he can eat food and have the strength of another sustained. Through the aid of the Holy Spirit the word can be understood and received into the life. No matter who presents the word of life, it is the power of God, ministered through the word that brings about the transformation.

But the Greek word translated “holding forth” may also bear the sense of “holding fast,” which meaning seems preferable here. The church will shine only as it holds fast to the life-giving word.

 This phrase does not occur elsewhere in Paul’s writings, but see on John 6:68; Acts 5:20; cf. 1 John 1:1. The word of life is the gospel message. To know the Father and the Son is life eternal (John 17:3). We first come to know them through the speaking of the word (Rom. 10:13-17; John 6:63), and thus have access to the life that comes only from them. Spiritual life is brought into being and is sustained by the power of the word. Men are to live “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4; DA 390, 391).