Hold
Philippians 2:16
16 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.
KJV
Hold is a pretty common word in the English vocabulary and is used quite often either in sincerity or in just passing and
throughout life we are holding on to something or someone at all times. We are holding on or holding out. Holding up or
holding down. Holding our breath or holding our tongue. The latter needed done more than the first for sure. Holding in
memory or in deed, never the less we are holding. The bible also has a wide range of the use of the word hold but never
in passing and always in sincerity.
Like here in Philippians it means with the word of God going before you. You are retaining, detaining, getting attention,
marking something or staying.
By holding forth the word of God Paul is saying neither your life nor his or the work of Christ in this life will be in vain. All
will be accountable before the seat of God and all will account for something to the glory of God. Nothing of Christ for
which you have lived or done will be wasted. And the word held forth is working for you and to the end and it is working on
your behalf now. That word has free course and cannot be bound. It goes out and returns not void. That word of God held
forth holds the promise of life that now is and the life that is to come. Hold forth the word of God for the word of God held
forth says there is more and more of the goodness of God, the promises of God, the mercy of God and the grace of God
to come.
So hold forth the word of God in this crooked and perverse world where the curse abides and you will have the attention of
God and the world. You will be retaining the living word that detains the vanity of sin and its master. You will mark your
time and your race in this life and your good fight of faith will be run and fought in patience and mastery. You will stay until
there is nothing else for you to stay for. You will then say it is finished. God will say it is finished and you will hear well done
thou good and faithful servant, enter in to the joy of the Lord, all His strength is provided for you but until that day hold
forth the word of God and work the works of God as the word of God works for you.