Devine Scripture

Philippians 2:14

What does Philippians 2:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Philippians 2:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Philippians 2:14 means

Paul commands that everything be done without grumbling or argumentative disputing. Complaints and a quarrelsome spirit poison community life and undercut witness. Joyful, trusting obedience showcases confidence in God’s wisdom and care. This is not a call to suppress all questions, but to resist the cynical, murmuring attitude that characterized Israel in the wilderness. When believers serve gladly and speak graciously, everyday tasks become acts of worship and unity is protected. The verse invites a check on the heart’s posture as much as on words. A contented, peaceable spirit is a practical fruit of God’s work within and a safeguard against division.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Do all things without murmurings and questionings:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Do all things without murmurings and questionings:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Do all things without protests and arguments;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

All things do without murmurings and reasonings,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Do all things without murmurings and reasonings,

Context

With God’s inner working established (v. 13), Paul turns to concrete relational obedience. Doing all without grumbling (v. 14) is the first marker of a community shaped by Christ’s mind. Verses 15–16 will explain the purpose and effect: becoming blameless children of God who shine as lights, holding forth the word of life, so that Paul’s labor proves fruitful. The flow moves from command to purpose to apostolic joy, linking their conduct directly to their mission and Paul’s hope in the “day of Christ.”

v.13for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

v.14This passage

v.15that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 5:9

    Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged: behold, the judge standeth before the doors.

  • Psalms 106:25

    But murmured in their tents, And hearkened not unto the voice of Jehovah.

  • Exodus 16:7

    and in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of Jehovah; for that he heareth your murmurings against Jehovah: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

  • Acts 15:2

    And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

  • Galatians 5:15

    But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

  • Philippians 2:3

    doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;

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