Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just saying God might finish the work He started in you; it's a profound declaration of confidence. Paul is sure that the divine power initiating this "good work" is the same power that will carry it all the way to completion, guaranteeing its perfection at Christ's return. This isn't about human effort holding out, but God's unwavering faithfulness completing His own project.
Paul, writing from prison, expresses his deep confidence in God's ongoing work among the Philippian believers. He's thankful for their partnership in the Gospel, which has continued from the very beginning of his ministry there. This shared journey of faith, from its start to the present moment, fuels his assurance that God will faithfully bring their spiritual growth to completion.
Ever wondered if that 'good work' God started in you is really going to make it to the finish line? Paul had something to say about that!
Paul isn't just hoping for the best here; he's expressing a deep confidence. He's sure that the 'good work' God began in the Philippians – this amazing transformation through faith – isn't going to be left half-done.
It's God's Initiative
This work isn't primarily about our effort, but about God's active power. It’s initiated by Him, and therefore, it has His commitment. Think of it like a master artist starting a masterpiece; they don't usually abandon it halfway through. God's character is the guarantee.
The Goal: Christ's Day
The completion point isn't just 'someday' or 'when we feel like it.' It's specifically marked as 'the day of Jesus Christ.' This points to the final, glorious return of Christ, when everything will be made new and fully revealed.
What exactly is this 'good work' Paul is so confident about? It's more profound than you might first think.
When Paul talks about a 'good work' begun in believers, he's not talking about external actions or even just a change of behavior. The scholars point out this refers to the deep, internal transformation that takes place when someone truly encounters God.
More Than Just Morals
It's the work of grace on the heart, the regeneration, the 'new creation' that makes someone alive to God. This is God's work in us, not just by us. It involves illuminating our understanding, changing our will, and setting our affections on Him.
A Work In Progress
While it's a 'good work,' it's still a begun work. It's not yet perfected in this life. We still battle with sin and imperfection. But the confidence isn't in our ability to finish it, but in God's power to perfect what He has started, despite our ongoing struggles.
Paul's confidence in God's completion of His work in believers stems from understanding that the gospel is a divine initiative, not a human endeavor. This truth offers immense comfort, especially when facing hardship, exile, or the uncertainties of life, reminding us that God's faithfulness is the ultimate guarantee of our spiritual journey from beginning to end.
c. AD 49-50
Second Missionary Journey Begins
Paul, along with Silas and Timothy, embarks on his second major missionary journey, which includes founding the church in Philippi.
c. AD 50-51
Founding of the Philippian Church
During Paul's second missionary journey, he travels to Philippi, a significant Roman colony in Macedonia, and establishes a thriving church, likely beginning with Lydia and the jailer.
c. AD 54-56— this verse
Paul Imprisoned in Rome
While under house arrest in Rome, Paul writes letters to various churches, including Philippians, sharing encouragement, theological insights, and personal updates.
c. AD 62
Publication of Philippians
The letter to the Philippians is circulated among churches, serving as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the believer's secure hope in Christ.
This passage echoes the promise of God's enduring faithfulness, stating He will not turn away from doing good to His people, mirroring the confidence Paul expresses in Philippians 1:6 that God will complete His work.
John 6:39Jesus Himself assures that the Father has given Him all that He has given Him, and He will lose none of them, but raise them up on the last day, directly supporting the idea that God's work in believers is secure and will be completed.
Romans 8:38-39Paul declares that nothing can separate believers from the love of God, which is a powerful testament to the security of God's work in them and the certainty of their final completion in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:24This verse states, 'He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it,' directly linking God's faithfulness to the completion of His calling and work in believers, much like Paul's confidence in Philippians 1:6.
Hebrews 12:2The verse speaks of Jesus as the founder and perfecter of our faith, highlighting His active role in initiating and bringing to completion the spiritual journey of believers, aligning with the theme of God's perfective work.
vincentPhilippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
Being confident (πεποιθὼς)With a slightly causative force: since I am confident.Hath begun - will perform (ἐναρξάμενος - ἐπιτελέσει)The two words occur together, 2 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 3:3. Both were used of religious ceremonials. So Euripides: "But come! Bring up the sacrificial meal-basket" (ἐξάρχου κανᾶ); that is, begin the offering…
gillPhilippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
Being confident of this very thing,.... The reason of his thanksgiving, and of his making request with joy continually on the behalf of this church, was the confidence and full persuasion he had of this same thing, of which he could be as much assured as of any thing in the world: that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the…
The verse isn't just saying God might finish the work He started in you; it's a profound declaration of confidence. Paul is sure that the divine power initiating this "good work" is the same power that will carry it all the way to completion, guaranteeing its perfection at Christ's return. This isn't about human effort holding out, but God's unwavering faithfulness completing His own project.
Paul, writing from prison, expresses his deep confidence in God's ongoing work among the Philippian believers. He's thankful for their partnership in the Gospel, which has continued from the very beginning of his ministry there. This shared journey of faith, from its start to the present moment, fuels his assurance that God will faithfully bring their spiritual growth to completion.
Paul, writing from prison, expresses his deep confidence in God's ongoing work among the Philippian believers. He's thankful for their partnership in the Gospel, which has continued from the very beginning of his ministry there. This shared journey of faith, from its start to the present moment, fuels his assurance that God will faithfully bring their spiritual growth to completion.
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"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." — The verse isn't just saying God might finish the work He started in you; it's a profound declaration of confidence. Paul is sure that the divine power initiating this "good work" is the same power…
