King James Version

What Does Philippians 2:15 Mean?

Philippians 2:15 in the King James Version says “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, a... — study this verse from Philippians chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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; harmless: or, sincere ye shine: or, shine ye

Philippians 2:15 · KJV


Context

13

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15

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; harmless: or, sincere ye shine: or, shine ye

16

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

17

Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. offered: Gr. poured forth


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (ἵνα γένησθε ἄμεμπτοι καὶ ἀκέραιοι, τέκνα θεοῦ ἄμωμα μέσον γενεᾶς σκολιᾶς καὶ διεστραμμένης, ἐν οἷς φαίνεσθε ὡς φωστῆρες ἐν κόσμῳ, hina genēsthe amemptoi kai akeraioi, tekna theou amōma meson geneas skolias kai diestrammenēs, en hois phainesthe hōs phōstēres en kosmō)—Hina genēsthe ("that you may become") states purpose. Amemptoi ("blameless") means beyond reproach; akeraioi ("harmless, innocent, pure") combines a- ("without") + kerannymi ("mix")—unmixed, unadulterated. Amōma ("without blemish") is sacrificial language (Lev 1:3).

Children of God (τέκνα θεοῦ, tekna theou) identifies believers' status. Context: in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (μέσον γενεᾶς σκολιᾶς καὶ διεστραμμένης, meson geneas skolias kai diestrammenēs)—quotes Deut 32:5 (Moses's description of Israel). Skolias ("crooked") and diestrammenēs ("twisted, perverted") describe moral corruption. Believers are countercultural. Shine as lights (φαίνεσθε ὡς φωστῆρες, phainesthe hōs phōstēres)—phōstēres ("luminaries") usually means heavenly bodies (Gen 1:14 LXX). Christians are cosmic lights in moral darkness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Deuteronomy 32:5's application to Greco-Roman culture (not just Israel) universalizes moral corruption. Ancient paganism involved sexual immorality, violence, injustice—Christians' ethical rigor was conspicuous. 'Lights in the world' echoes Jesus's teaching (Matt 5:14-16). Second-century apologists (Justin Martyr, Athenagoras) defended Christians by pointing to their ethical transformation—lights in darkness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How are you 'blameless and harmless' in a morally 'crooked and perverse' culture?
  2. What does it mean to 'shine as lights' (phōstēres)—and how is your light visible to others?
  3. How does being 'children of God' (tekna theou) motivate ethical distinctiveness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
ἵνα1 of 21

That

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

γένησθε2 of 21

ye may be

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἄμεμπτοι3 of 21

blameless

G273

irreproachable

καὶ4 of 21

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀκέραιοι5 of 21

harmless

G185

unmixed, i.e., (figuratively) innocent

τέκνα6 of 21

the sons

G5043

a child (as produced)

θεοῦ7 of 21

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἀμώμητα8 of 21

without rebuke

G298

unblamable

ἐν9 of 21

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

μέσῳ10 of 21

the midst

G3319

middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)

γενεᾶς11 of 21

nation

G1074

a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)

σκολιᾶς12 of 21

of a crooked

G4646

warped, i.e., winding; figuratively, perverse

καὶ13 of 21

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

διεστραμμένης14 of 21

perverse

G1294

to distort, i.e., (figuratively) misinterpret, or (morally) corrupt

ἐν15 of 21

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

οἷς16 of 21

whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

φαίνεσθε17 of 21

ye shine

G5316

to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)

ὡς18 of 21

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

φωστῆρες19 of 21

lights

G5458

an illuminator, i.e., (concretely) a luminary, or (abstractly) brilliancy

ἐν20 of 21

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

κόσμῳ21 of 21

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Philippians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Philippians 2:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Philippians 2:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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