What is the meaning of Philippians 1:6? being confident of this Paul writes with settled assurance: “being confident of this.” His certainty rests, not in human effort, but in God’s unchanging character. • Confidence is commanded elsewhere: “So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward” (Hebrews 10:35–36). • Even in suffering, believers can echo Paul: “I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). • Such conviction flows from knowing that nothing can “separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39). that He who began a good work in you The “good work” started at conversion is entirely God’s initiative. • Jesus affirmed, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44). • Salvation’s origin is God’s craftsmanship: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). • It is “not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5). Because God started the work, He bears full responsibility for its outcome. will carry it on to completion God’s ongoing work is sanctification—shaping believers into Christ’s likeness. • “The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). • We are “being transformed into His image with intensifying glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). • The psalmist’s confidence becomes ours: “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me” (Psalm 138:8). Progress may feel slow, but the promise guarantees that every step advances toward full maturity. until the day of Christ Jesus The timeline stretches to Christ’s return, ensuring perseverance all the way home. • “He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:8). • Hope fuels purity: “When Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). • We “look forward to and hasten the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:12-13) when “our citizenship is in heaven” becomes sight (Philippians 3:20-21). The promise stretches across every season of life, anchoring believers until that climactic day. summary Philippians 1:6 assures believers that the God who initiated their salvation will unfailingly nurture and perfect it. Confidence rests in His character, the work began at conversion, continues through sanctification, and reaches completion when Christ returns. The verse invites steady trust: what He starts, He finishes. |
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