Note 9 at Phil. 2:16: It is not enough to just let our light shine through our actions. That is an important part of it, but just being good without giving the credit for our goodness to God is not enough. We have to speak God's Word too.

First Peter 1:23 says, "Being born againby the word of God." Holy living doesn't get people born again-the Word of God does. Our actions and attitudes are important to open people up to the Word of God. It's like plowing the ground to receive the seed. But it's the seed that produces fruit, not the plow. Likewise, it's God's Word that saves people, not our actions.

Paul couples righteous living (vv. 14-15) and speaking God's Word (v. 16) together in these verses.

Note 10 at Phil. 2:16: If the Philippians would let their lights shine (v. 15) by speaking God's Word (v. 16), Paul would rejoice on the judgment day when he sees that his fruit (the Philippians) remained (Jn. 15:16). He will know that his efforts were not in vain.

On the other hand, if the Philippians didn't persevere until the end, Paul's labor could have been in vain (see note 1 at Mt. 12:31, p. 186; see note 4 at Gal. 4:11, p. 1074).