Philippians 2:15 in the NIV reads, “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” What I love about the NIV translation is that Paul does not actually use the word ‘stars.’ Rather, he uses the word ‘brilliance.’ Why then do the NIV translators use the word ‘stars’ instead of ‘brilliance’? The reason is because most scholars agree that Paul is making a reference to Daniel 12, where Daniel has a vision of the end of the world. In his vision, Michael stands up, the righteous dead are raised and in verse 3 it reads, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”

So why then does Paul say “brilliance” instead of “stars” if he is making a reference to Daniel 12? That is because the word for brilliance can include stars, moon, and sun. In other words, it’s a much more powerful word. By changing the word, Paul communicates a vision that is greater than Daniel’s. In Daniel 12 the righteous shine like stars, but for Paul, the righteous who live a life “worthy of the Gospel” by continually working out their salvation with fear and trembling are much brighter! They are like the brilliance of the stars and moon in the darkest night. They are like the brilliance of the sun at dawn chasing away the darkness.

In Matthew 5:14 Jesus says to us, “You are the light of the world.” Shining in the world means the same thing that working out our salvation means: it means being more like Jesus. It means making our lives just as beautiful as the salvation we have received by the power of God’s Spirit. It means becoming selfless, humble, considerate, and self-sacrificing, as was Christ. (Phi 2:3)

The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out
—Proverbs 13:9

May we continue to work out our salvation, that we may shine with a brilliance in this dark age.

—Pastor Alex Portillo