Section 10
you shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life." To shine as luminaries is to magnify Christ. This indicates that the salvation in chapter two equals the salvation in chap ter one. The operating God equals the Spirit with the bountiful supply, and shining as luminaries is equal to magnifying Christ.
According to verse 16, the way we shine as luminaries is to hold forth the word of life. It is rather difficult to understand adequately the meaning of the phrase "holding forth." It means to present something to people, to offer them something, and even to apply something to them. To hold forth the word of life is to offer such a word to others, to present it to them, and even to apply it to them. This is to minister Christ to others, to offer Christ to them. What do you offer to your family, relatives, neighbors, col leagues, friends, or classmates? What do you pre sent to them? Your answer should be that you offer Christ to them, present Christ to them, and apply Christ to them in their situation. This is to hold forth the word of life. The word of life is actually the living expression of Christ. To shine as luminaries is to magnify Christ, and to hold forth the word of life is to live Christ.