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Philippians 2 · a question people ask

"in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation" (2:15). Who is meant?

In the text

The verse says, "that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world," (2:15). The letter doesn't name them, and these notes don't either. They apply the words to no person, people or group, then or now.

The verses

“that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,”
Philippians 2:15 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Philippians 2

Philippians 2: Have this in your mind

In 2:17-18 the WEB's glad and rejoice stand for two Greek verbs: glad is the one the WEB gives as rejoice in 2:28 and 4:4, and rejoice is another, which Strong's gives as "to sympathize in gladness". "I am glad and rejoice with you all." (2:17); "you also should be glad and rejoice with me." (2:18).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions