Charles Ellicott Commentary Philippians 2:14

"Do all things without murmurings and questionings:" — Philippians 2:14 (ASV)

Without murmurings and disputings.—St. Paul seems to intentionally leave this precept in perfect generality, so that it applies to their relations both with God and with people. We observe, however, that the word “disputings” is mostly used for objections and quibbles expressed in words (Luke 5:22; Luke 6:8; Romans 1:21; Romans 14:1); although in Luke 9:47; Luke 24:38, and perhaps 1 Timothy 2:8, it is applied to the inner conflict of the heart. In either case, it seems mainly to indicate intellectual questionings.

Similarly, the word “murmuring” is used for outward contentious arguments of discontent (Matthew 20:11; Luke 5:30; John 6:41; John 6:43; John 6:61; John 7:12; Acts 6:1; 1 Corinthians 10:10; 1 Peter 4:9), proceeding not so much from the mind as from the heart. Moreover, the objective considered in Philippians 2:15 is primarily a good example before others. Therefore, the primary reference would seem to be to their relations with people, despite the close connection with the preceding verse.

Nor can we forget that the main emphasis of this chapter’s exhortation is on unity among themselves. Of course, it is obvious that the disposition rebuked is sure to manifest itself in both relations; and that, if checked in one, the check will react on the other.