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; (Philippians 2:15)
Or, “that ye may become,” that is, in the process of working out their own salvation without murmurings and disputings, they will become blameless.
Blameless.
That is, free from censure, certainly by God, and possibly by men.
Harmless.
Gr. akeraioi (see on Rom. 16:19). The word describes the inward condition of the Christian’s heart, supplementing “blameless,” which refers to others’ judgment of the Christian.
Without rebuke.
Gr. amemtoi, “blameless.” Paul wishes his converts to possess an unblemished reputation, knowing that the reputation of God in the world depends partly on that of His children.
Gr. genea, “generation,” in the sense of the sum total of men living at the same time (cf. on Matt. 23:36).
Lights.
Gr. phōstēres, “luminaries,” used in the LXX for the heavenly bodies (Gen. 1:14, 16). Even though the Christian growth of the Philippians was not complete, their lives were to illumine the dark world in which they lived (see on Matt. 5:14). Paul’s words are appropriate for the last generation, who will live at a time when darkness will be greater than ever before (COL 414). With special brilliance God’s children are then to “arise, shine” (see on Isa. 60:1, 2).
Sons.
Gr. tekna, “children,” in contrast with huioi, the usual word for “sons” (see on Rom. 8:14). There is an allusion here to Deut. 32:5, where Moses refers to the children of Israel as being “a perverse and crooked generation.”