The power of one word

[OneLight]

The power of just one word.

note: this is not a version basking thread, but a discussion on how one word can change the meaning of a sentence.

While listening to the radio this morning, a verse was given from Philippians 2:16 about running the race for God. We all have read this verse and have probably quoted it many times, but something did not set right in me when I heard the verse due to one word. The word was “boast”. It made me stop and think about if we should be boastful in our working in Christ. I had always thought that we are to be humble in our ways, giving God the glory and not ourselves. This word just did not fit into my theology at all, so I decided that I would take just this one verse and see what other versions used to describe how we should react to winning the race. This one word gave this verse its meaning to how we are to become in the end.

Below are 19 different bible versions of this one verse, but this is not an exhausted list. I have found that a few different words are used.

1. boast - to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride, esp. about oneself.

2. proud - having or showing self-respect or self-esteem

3. pride - the state or feeling of being proud

4. brag - arrogant or boastful speech or manner

5. glory - a state of absolute happiness, gratification, contentment

6. rejoice - to feel joyful; be delighted

7. happy - characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy

By looking at the various words, it became clear that there are basically two categories these falls into. The first, 1 – 4, give us a pat on the back for what we did and not glorify God for reaching the end. The second, 5 – 7, describes the feeling we receive from doing what God helped us do.

Here is what these versions said:

(Glory to self)

Philippians 2:16 (New International Version)

as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Philippians 2:16 (New Living Translation)

Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

Philippians 2:16 (English Standard Version)

holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Philippians 2:16 (Contemporary English Version)

as you hold firmly to the message that gives life. Then on the day when Christ returns, I can take pride in you. I can also know that my work and efforts were not useless.

Philippians 2:16 (Darby Translation)

holding forth [the] word of life, so as to be a boast for me in Christ's day, that I have not run in vain nor laboured in vain.

Philippians 2:16 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Hold firmly the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn't run in vain or labor for nothing.

Philippians 2:16 (New International Reader's Version)

You shine as you hold out to them the word of life. So I can brag about you on the day Christ returns. I can be happy that I didn't run or work for nothing

Philippians 2:16 (Worldwide English (New Testament))

You will have the message of life for them. I will be proud of you when Christ comes. My work and trouble will not be for nothing.

Philippians 2:16 (New International Version - UK)

as you hold out the word of life— in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour for nothing.

Philippians 2:16 (Today's New International Version)

as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

(Thankful to God)

Philippians 2:16 (New American Standard Bible)

holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

Philippians 2:16 (Amplified Bible)

Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose.

Philippians 2:16 (King James Version)

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.

Philippians 2:16 (New King James Version)

holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Philippians 2:16 (New Century Version)

You offer the teaching that gives life. So when Christ comes again, I can be happy because my work was not wasted. I ran the race and won.

Philippians 2:16 (21st Century King James Version)

holding forth the Word of Life, that I may rejoice in the Day of Christ that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.

Philippians 2:16 (American Standard Version)

holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.

Philippians 2:16 (Young's Literal Translation)

the word of life holding forth, for rejoicing to me in regard to a day of Christ, that not in vain did I run, nor in vain did I labour;

Philippians 2:16 (Wycliffe New Testament) (note: this one version gives both meanings)

And hold ye together the word of life to my glory in the day of Christ; for I have not run in vain, neither I have travailed in vain. [holding together the word of life to my glory in the day of Christ; for I have not run in vain, neither in vain travailed.]

I do understand that a mature Christian my be able to decide for themselves what the true meaning should be, but I wonder just what a new Christian is learning when they read this. We are told to not have pride in ourselves, but to be humble. Humility is what we need when living for Christ.

What are your thought about how this word gives different meaning to a new child of Christ?

[nebula]

I think of it as the difference between being bloated in oneself (self-pride, self-boasting) and that of a parent being proud of or boasting about their child.

I believe the common man understands the difference between these two types of boasting/pride. Yes?

[desi2007]

Very nice post Onelight.

I must say in my life as being a christian every time i rose above the pain in my life and found the goodness, clarity, peace and light of the Lord there, that

is where my faith increased. God will meet you in the midst of your pain. As I continue to live in the presence of the Lord, His glory will always be revealed

in me.

Even at times when my soul melts from heaviness, I pray that Lord would strengthen me according to Your Word. (Psalm 119:28)

desi

[OneLight]

I think of it as the difference between being bloated in oneself (self-pride, self-boasting) and that of a parent being proud of or boasting about their child.

I believe the common man understands the difference between these two types of boasting/pride. Yes?

I don't know for sure Sis. I have never thought of myself as common, so I ask. Not all of the verses state that they are proud of the others who have won the race, but proud of themselves by using the word "I".

[nebula]

Well, it's like this:

When I was a little girl, I was taught the song, "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love." We sang it at church several times.

But I was puzzled by the third verse:

And we'll guard each man's dignity

And save each man's pride

Because even then I knew that pride was wrong.

So why was it Christian to save a man's pride?

But then I thought of how the loss of dignity was associated with oppression and being violated.

So I though, "Oh - that kind of pride." . . . .

Compare 2Cor. 7:4 -

I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

Sorry I'm not good at putting my conclusions into words too well . . . but do you get the idea of what I mean and where I'm coming from?

[OneLight]

Well, it's like this:

When I was a little girl, I was taught the song, "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love." We sang it at church several times.

But I was puzzled by the third verse:

And we'll guard each man's dignity

And save each man's pride

Because even then I knew that pride was wrong.

So why was it Christian to save a man's pride?

But then I thought of how the loss of dignity was associated with oppression and being violated.

So I though, "Oh - that kind of pride." . . . .

Compare 2Cor. 7:4 -

I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

Sorry I'm not good at putting my conclusions into words too well . . . but do you get the idea of what I mean and where I'm coming from?

Yes, when it speaks of taking pride in another. But I still think this word, even used this way, is a double edged sword. What do you think of when it says to take pride in yourself?

[nebula]

But I still think this word, even used this way, is a double edged sword. What do you think of when it says to take pride in yourself?

I'm not following your train of thought.

When you said, "when it says," which "it" were you referring to?

[OneLight]

But I still think this word, even used this way, is a double edged sword. What do you think of when it says to take pride in yourself?

I'm not following your train of thought.

When you said, "when it says," which "it" were you referring to?

The verses I am posting all refer to taking pride in oneself. The "it" are these verses.

Philippians 2:16 (New International Version)

as you hold out the word of life

[pokemaughan]

Yes... we have to be tactful when choosing a translation for a new believer. Easy to understand is good... but to the point of skewed meaning... that's not good.

Some translations are meatier than others, that's for sure.

[nebula]

OK, this is why we are having confusion.

I don't see this as Paul taking pride in himself.

When an artist or a farmer takes pride in his work, I don't see that as puffing himself up.

When a father takes pride in his children, I don't see that as taking pride in himself.

When a mentor takes pride in his students, I don't see that as being focused on himself.

When one of my students gets an A and I say, "I'm proud of you," I'm not thinking I did such a great job teaching the student, I am thinking the student did a great job learning and memorizing the subject. I don't teach for me; I teach for them. When someone commends me for doing a good job teaching, sure it's a confidence boost, but the moment I think the students succeeded because of me, that's the moment I need to find a different job - because that will ruin me as a teacher.

Make sense?