The Meaning of Philippians 1:10 Explained

Philippians 1:10

KJV: That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

YLT: for your proving the things that differ, that ye may be pure and offenceless -- to a day of Christ,

Darby: that ye may judge of and approve the things that are more excellent, in order that ye may be pure and without offence for Christ's day,

ASV: so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

That  ye  may approve  things that are excellent;  that  ye may be  sincere  and  without offence  till  the day  of Christ; 

What does Philippians 1:10 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Possessing this kind of abounding love would enable the Philippians to give approval to things of the greatest value and importance. Conversely they would disapprove things of lesser significance. Most of the choices that a spiritual believer faces are not between morally good and morally evil things but between things of lesser and greater value. The things that we choose because we love them reflect how discerning our love really is.
The ultimate end in view emerges in the second part of this verse. We need to love in harmony with God"s revelation and with His Spirit"s guidance ( Philippians 1:9) so we will choose the best over the good ( Philippians 1:10 a). This will result in our being without flaw (sincere) and without blame (blameless) when we stand before God to give an account of the stewardship of our lives at the judgment seat of Christ ( Philippians 1:10 b; 2 Corinthians 5:10; cf. 1 John 3:3).
"Aproskopos has to do with being "blameless" in the sense of "not offending" or not causing someone else to stumble." [1]
"There are people who are themselves faultless, but who are so hard and harsh and austere that they in the end drive people away from Christianity. There are people who are good, but they are so critical of others that they repel other people from goodness. The Christian is himself pure, but his love and his gentleness are such that he attracts others to the Christian way and never repels them from it." [2]

Context Summary

Philippians 1:1-11 - Rejoice In Growth And Seek Increase
It is exceedingly difficult to compress this Epistle, which is the tenderest and most personal of them all. Every word merits consideration; every paragraph is full of linked sweetness long drawn out. In the opening verses we are taught that we may further the gospel, not only by direct efforts, but by helping those who, like the Apostle, are devoted to its spread. From the early beginnings of their friendship, this Church had never faltered in its loving gifts, which Paul sought to repay with prayers on their behalf. He regarded them as comrades fighting the same enemy, on the same field, and sharing in the same grace.
The Apostle's confidence that whatever God begins will have its perfect end, Philippians 1:6, is very reassuring. This is what we need, though we must not take it for granted apart from faith and prayer. Each of the Epistles has its "collect," its comprehensive prayer offered in the name of Christ. This one is especially beautiful. Abounding love will lead to increased knowledge; and this to quicker discrimination between things that differ, however similar they may appear; and this, in turn, to freedom from blame and offense. And all will result in the fruit of a holy life, pleasing to Jesus and bringing glory and praise to God. [source]

Chapter Summary: Philippians 1

1  Paul testifies his thankfulness to God, and his love toward the Philippians,
9  daily praying for their increase in grace;
12  he shows what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome;
21  and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death;
27  exhorting them to unity;
28  and to fortitude in persecution

Greek Commentary for Philippians 1:10

So that ye may [εις το υμας]
Either purpose or result (εις το — eis to plus infinitive as in Romans 1:11, Romans 1:20; Romans 3:26, etc.). [source]
Approve the things that are excellent [δοκιμαζειν τα διαπεροντα]
Originally, “test the things that differ.” Cf. same idiom in Romans 2:28. The verb was used for assaying metals. Either sense suits this context, but the first step is to distinguish between good and evil and that is not always easy in our complex civilization. Sincere (ειλικρινεις — eilikrineis). Old word of uncertain origin from κρινω — krinō to judge, by ειλη — heilē (sunlight) or to sift by rapid rolling (ειλος — eilos). At any rate it means pure, unsullied. Void of offence Alpha privative προς — pros and κοπτω — koptō to cut, “not stumbled against” (not causing others to stumble) or if active “not stumbling against.” Passive sense probably, not active as in 1 Corinthians 10:32. Common in the papyri, though not in ancient Greek writers. [source]
Sincere [ειλικρινεις]
Old word of uncertain origin from κρινω — krinō to judge, by ειλη — heilē (sunlight) or to sift by rapid rolling At any rate it means pure, unsullied. [source]
Void of offence [απροσκοποι]
Alpha privative προς — pros and κοπτω — koptō to cut, “not stumbled against” (not causing others to stumble) or if active “not stumbling against.” Passive sense probably, not active as in 1 Corinthians 10:32. Common in the papyri, though not in ancient Greek writers. [source]
Approve [δοκιμάζειν]
Sanction on test. See on 1 Peter 1:7. [source]
Things which are excellent [τὰ διαφέροντα]
Unnecessary difficulty has been made in the explanation of this phrase. Love displays itself in knowledge and discernment. In proportion as it abounds it sharpens the moral perceptions for the discernment of what is best. The passage is on the line of 1 Corinthians 12:31, “Covet earnestly the best gifts,” and the “more excellent way” to attain these gifts is love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). See on Romans 2:18, where the same phrase occurs, but with a different meaning. Some explain things which are morally different. [source]
Sincere [εἱλικρινεῖς]
See on pure, 2 Peter 3:1. [source]
Without offense [ἀπρόσκοποι]
See on Acts 24:16. It may be explained, not stumbling, or not causing others to stumble, as 1 Corinthians 10:32. Both senses may be included. If either is to be preferred it is the former, since the whole passage contemplates their inward state rather than their relations to men. [source]
Till the day, etc. [εἰς]
Rev., unto. Better, against; with a view to. [source]

What do the individual words in Philippians 1:10 mean?

for - to approve you the things being excellent so that you may be pure and blameless unto [the] day of Christ
εἰς τὸ δοκιμάζειν ὑμᾶς τὰ διαφέροντα ἵνα ἦτε εἰλικρινεῖς καὶ ἀπρόσκοποι εἰς ἡμέραν Χριστοῦ

τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δοκιμάζειν  to  approve 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: δοκιμάζω 
Sense: to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals.
τὰ  the  things 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
διαφέροντα  being  excellent 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: διαφέρω  
Sense: to bear or carry through any place.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ἦτε  you  may  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
εἰλικρινεῖς  pure 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: εἰλικρινής  
Sense: pure, sincere, unsullied.
ἀπρόσκοποι  blameless 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀπρόσκοπος  
Sense: having nothing to strike against, not causing to stumble.
εἰς  unto 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
ἡμέραν  [the]  day 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἡμέρα  
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
Χριστοῦ  of  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.