2:16 holding fast. Paul is concerned with the Philippians’ own fidelity to the gospel of Jesus Christ (1:27; 2:1–5).

the word of life. This refers to both the gospel and the ethical teachings founded on it (1:27; 4:8, 9).

I may be proud. Paul’s pride on the “day of Christ” (1:10; cf. 1:6) will be the Philippians’ spiritual growth rather than his own (1:9–11).