| Geneva Study Bible {7} 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; (7) To be short, he requires a life without fault, and pure, so that being enlightened with the word of God, they may shine in the darkness of this world. People's New Testament 2:15 The sons of God. Those of so high estate ought to be harmless, blameless, and in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, a wicked world, they should shine as lights by their pure and holy lives. Wesley's Notes 2:15 That ye may be blameless - Before men. And simple - Before God, aiming at him alone. As the sons of God - The God of love; acting up to your high character. Unrebukable in the midst of a crooked - Guileful, serpentine, and perverse generation - Such as the bulk of mankind always were. Crooked - By a corrupt nature, and yet more perverse by custom and practice. King James Translators' Notes harmless: or, sincere ye shine: or, shine ye Scofield Reference Notes Margin world kosmos = mankind. See Scofield Note: "Mt 4:8". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 15. blameless and harmless-without either the repute of mischief, or the inclination to do it [Alford]. sons-rather as Greek, "the children of God" (Ro 8:14-16). Imitation of our heavenly Father is the instinctive guide to our duty as His children, more than any external law (Mt 5:44, 45, 48). without rebuke-"without (giving handle for) reproach." The whole verse tacitly refers by contrast to De 32:5, "Their spot . not . of His children . a perverse and crooked generation" (compare 1Pe 2:12). ye shine-literally, "appear" [Trench]. "Show yourselves" (compare Mt 5:14-16; Eph 5:8-13). as lights in the world-The Greek expresses "as luminaries in the world," as the sun and moon, "the lights," or "great lights," in the material world or in the firmament. The Septuagint uses the very same Greek word in the passage, Ge 1:14, 16; compare Note,, see on [2387]Re 21:11. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 2:12-18 We must be diligent in the use of all the means which lead to our salvation, persevering therein to the end. With great care, lest, with all our advantages, we should come short. Work out your salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. This encourages us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain: we must still depend on the grace of God. The working of God's grace in us, is to quicken and engage our endeavours. God's good-will to us, is the cause of his good work in us. Do your duty without murmurings. Do it, and do not find fault with it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it. By peaceableness; give no just occasion of offence. The children of God should differ from the sons of men. The more perverse others are, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless and harmless. The doctrine and example of consistent believers will enlighten others, and direct their way to Christ and holiness, even as the light-house warns mariners to avoid rocks, and directs their course into the harbour. Let us try thus to shine. The gospel is the word of life, it makes known to us eternal life through Jesus Christ. Running, denotes earnestness and vigour, continual pressing forward; labouring, denotes constancy, and close application. It is the will of God that believers should be much in rejoicing; and those who are so happy as to have good ministers, have great reason to rejoice with them. | 
