The first word in this verse in the Greek text is "all things" (NASB) or "everything" (NIV), which by its position indicates the writer"s emphasis. Most of us can learn to grumble and argue less than we do now, but such activities should be totally absent from our lives. [source][source][source]
The first of these words looks at the initial activity and the second what results from the first (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:10; Philippians 2:2; Philippians 4:2). The great warning of what complaining and disputing can lead to is Israel"s10 instances of complaining in the wilderness. That behavior culminated in the Israelites" refusal to enter and occupy the Promised Land from Kadesh-barnea ( Numbers 13-14). We frustrate God"s work of producing unity, which He does by reproducing the mind of Christ in us (i.e, humility), when we complain and argue (cf. Philippians 1:19; Philippians 1:28). [source][source][source]
"The new nature is ours by gift of God, but the activation of that new nature in terms of new character and new conduct is through the responsive work of obedience, the hard graft of the daily warfare." [1][source]
Context Summary
Philippians 2:12-18 - Lights In The World
The sublime visions of the Apostle of the glory of the divine Redeemer are always linked with practical exhortation. Do nothing through pride and vainglory. Look on the things of others. Count others better than yourself. Work out what God is working in. Your heart is God's workshop! His Spirit is there, striving against selfishness, pride, impurity, and vanity, but you must consolidate each holy impulse in speech and act. Be careful of every such movement in your soul; it will become clearer and more definite as you yield to it, and it will be corroborated by outward circumstances, which God will open before you. But exercise fear and trembling, just as the young pupil of a great master will be nervously careful not to lose one thought or suggestion which he may impart.
In this manner you will become as a lighthouse on a rockbound coast, shining with blameless and beneficent beauty among your companions. Light is silent, but it reveals. Light is gentle, but it is mighty in its effects. Light departs when the sun is down, but it may be maintained by various luminaries until dawn again breaks. As we shine, we shall be consumed, but the sacrifice will not be in vain. [source]
Chapter Summary: Philippians 2
1Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ's humility; 12to a careful proceeding in the way of salvation, that they be as lights to a wicked world, 16and comforts to him their apostle, who is now ready to be offered up to God 19He hopes to send Timothy to them, and Epaphroditus also
Greek Commentary for Philippians 2:14
Without murmurings [χωρις γογγυσμων] See note on Acts 6:1 for this late onomatopoetic word from gogguzō to mutter, to grumble. [source]
Disputings [dialogismōn)] Or questionings as in Luke 24:38. The grumblings led to disputes. [source]
Disputings [διαλογισμῶν] See on Mark 7:21. It is doubtful whether disputings is a legitimate meaning. The kindred verb διαλογίζομαι is invariably used in the sense of to reason or discuss, either with another or in one's own mind, Matthew 16:7; Matthew 21:25; Mark 2:6; Luke 12:17. The noun is sometimes rendered thoughts, as Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21; but with the same idea underlying it, of a suspicion or doubt, causing inward discussion. See 1 Timothy 2:8. Better here questionings or doubtings. See on Romans 14:1. The murmuring is the moral, the doubting the intellectual rebellion against God. [source]
What do the individual words in Philippians 2:14 mean?
Greek Commentary for Philippians 2:14
See note on Acts 6:1 for this late onomatopoetic word from gogguzō to mutter, to grumble. [source]
Or questionings as in Luke 24:38. The grumblings led to disputes. [source]
See on Judges 1:16; see on John 6:41. Compare 1 Corinthians 10:10. [source]
See on Mark 7:21. It is doubtful whether disputings is a legitimate meaning. The kindred verb διαλογίζομαι is invariably used in the sense of to reason or discuss, either with another or in one's own mind, Matthew 16:7; Matthew 21:25; Mark 2:6; Luke 12:17. The noun is sometimes rendered thoughts, as Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21; but with the same idea underlying it, of a suspicion or doubt, causing inward discussion. See 1 Timothy 2:8. Better here questionings or doubtings. See on Romans 14:1. The murmuring is the moral, the doubting the intellectual rebellion against God. [source]