Philippians 1:26 kjv
That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
Philippians 1:26 nkjv
that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Philippians 1:26 niv
so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Philippians 1:26 esv
so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Philippians 1:26 nlt
And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
Philippians 1 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Phil 2:24 | I trust in the Lord that I myself will also come to you soon. | Paul's expectation of coming to Philippi. |
| Philem 1:22 | At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be given back to you. | Expectation of release and return by prayer. |
| Rom 15:32 | ...that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. | Paul's desire for joyful reunion and refreshment. |
| 1 Cor 16:7 | For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. | Paul's desire for extended, intentional fellowship. |
| 1 Thes 2:17-18 | ...we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face... we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, more than once—but Satan hindered us. | Paul's deep longing to reunite with churches. |
| Jn 10:10 | The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. | Christ provides abundant spiritual life. |
| 2 Cor 9:8 | And God is able to make all grace abound to you... | God provides abundant grace and provision. |
| Rom 5:17 | ...how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. | Abundance of grace through Christ. |
| Eph 1:3 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. | All blessings are "in Christ." |
| Gal 6:14 | But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. | True boasting is in the cross of Christ. |
| 2 Cor 10:17 | "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." | God is the sole ground for boasting. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom... but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me..." | Boasting should be in knowing God. |
| Phil 1:18 | What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice. | Paul's rejoicing is in Christ's proclamation. |
| Phil 1:12-14 | I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel... | Paul's suffering contributes to gospel advancement. |
| Col 2:7 | ...rooted and built up in him and established in the faith... abounding in thanksgiving. | Abounding in faith and thanksgiving in Christ. |
| Heb 10:25 | ...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. | Importance of fellowship and mutual encouragement. |
| Acts 28:15 | ...when the brothers there heard about us, they came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. | Mutual encouragement for Paul from believers. |
| Phil 2:17 | Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. | Paul's joy linked to their faith. |
| 2 Cor 1:24 | Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy... | Apostles work for the joy of believers. |
| Phil 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. | Call to continual rejoicing in the Lord. |
Philippians 1 verses
Philippians 1 26 Meaning
Philippians 1:26 conveys Paul's expectation and desire that upon his return, the Philippian believers' ground for boasting or rejoicing, which is uniquely found in Christ Jesus, would multiply and overflow. His physical presence and the circumstances surrounding his release would serve as powerful evidence of God's faithfulness and work, thereby strengthening their faith, increasing their confidence, and giving them further cause to glorify Christ publicly and boldly. It speaks to the mutual encouragement and spiritual growth facilitated by personal fellowship.
Philippians 1 26 Context
Philippians 1:26 stands within Paul's introductory remarks and thanksgiving for the Philippian church, expressing his deep affection and prayer for their spiritual growth (Phil 1:3-11). Paul is currently imprisoned, likely in Rome (though other theories exist), but he views his circumstances as contributing to the advancement of the gospel, rather than hindering it (Phil 1:12-14). His joy is derived from Christ being proclaimed, regardless of the preacher's motive or his personal suffering. He faces the dilemma of choosing between remaining with the Philippians to minister to them or departing to be with Christ (Phil 1:21-23), but ultimately anticipates a release for their benefit. Verse 26 articulates that the purpose of his expected release and return is specifically for their increased "rejoicing in Christ Jesus," implying that his living proof of God's care will validate and deepen their faith and confident trust in the Lord amidst their own potential challenges and persecutions.
Philippians 1 26 Word analysis
- that (ἵνα - hina): A purpose clause. It indicates the reason or outcome for which Paul expects to be released and returned to them. His freedom and presence are not for his own sake but for the Philippians' spiritual benefit.
- your (ὑμῶν - humōn): Emphasizes the specific community of Philippian believers, highlighting the personal relationship Paul has with them and his pastoral concern for their growth.
- rejoicing (καύχημα - kauchema): This term, related to "boasting," signifies the object or ground of one's boasting, rather than the act itself. It refers to a cause for pride, confidence, or triumph. In a Christian context, this is spiritual, noble, and ultimately directed towards Christ, contrasting with worldly boasts in status or achievements. It represents their secure confidence and the joyful triumph they find in Christ. This subtly contrasts with any cultural tendency to boast in personal wealth, Roman citizenship, or other worldly merits prevalent in Philippi.
- in Christ (ἐν Χριστῷ - en Christō): This is a key Pauline phrase. It denotes the sphere, foundation, source, and reality of Christian existence. The "rejoicing" is not based on external circumstances or human merits but exclusively on one's union with and identification with Christ Jesus. This serves as an implicit polemic against pagan or imperial cultic boasts that found confidence in idols, emperors, or human power structures. True ground for joy and confidence is found solely in Christ's finished work and ongoing power.
- Jesus (Ἰησοῦ - Iēsou): The personal name of the historical Jesus, emphasizing His humanity and historical reality alongside His divine nature as Christ.
- may be (περισσεύῃ - perisseuē): From perisseuo, meaning "to abound," "to be rich," "to exceed," "to overflow." It indicates an increase, superabundance, or lavish supply. This implies that their confidence and joy are already present but will experience a significant, bountiful expansion upon Paul's return.
- more abundant: Though "more" isn't explicitly in the Greek (it's simply "may abound"), the sense of increase implies "more" than what they currently possess or a further deepening of what they already have.
- through (διὰ - dia): Indicates the means or agency. Paul's parousia (coming) is the instrument through which their kauchema will abound.
- my (ἐμῆς - emēs): Paul refers to his own person and impending action.
- coming (παρουσίας - parousias): Parousia is a significant term meaning "presence" or "arrival." It often denotes an official visit, the coming of a dignitary, or even the eschatological coming of Christ. Here, it refers to Paul's personal return. His actual presence with them, demonstrating God's deliverance, will fuel their confidence.
- to you (πρὸς ὑμᾶς - pros humas): Directs the destination of Paul's visit and the beneficiaries of its effect.
- again (πάλιν - palin): Signifies a second instance of his coming to them, implying a prior visit, as recorded in Acts 16. This stresses continuity and reinforcement of previous teachings and encouragement.
- "your rejoicing in Christ Jesus": This phrase encapsulates the central theme of Christian joy and confidence being exclusively rooted in Jesus Christ. It’s not about joy in circumstances, but joy in His person and work. It's a boasting that points away from oneself and solely to the Lord.
- "may be more abundant": This indicates growth, enrichment, and an overflow of their spiritual condition. It points to a dynamic, flourishing faith, not static belief. The objective of Christian fellowship and ministry, as demonstrated by Paul, is to deepen believers' experience of Christ.
- "through my coming to you again": Paul attributes the increase of their rejoicing to his personal visit. This underscores the importance of genuine fellowship, the shared experience of God's working, and the power of witnessing God's faithfulness in another's life (Paul's deliverance) to strengthen one's own faith. It also reflects Paul's pastoral care and desire for their spiritual well-being over his own convenience or desire to depart to Christ.
Philippians 1 26 Bonus section
The concept of parousia (coming) is rich. While here it refers to Paul's physical return, this word later became significant for the "second coming" of Christ (e.g., Matt 24:3, 1 Thes 4:15). In the context of Philippians, the "rejoicing" is not merely emotional happiness, but a profound, stable, confident assurance in Christ that serves as a public declaration. Paul's anticipated visit, therefore, would be a concrete demonstration of divine intervention, enabling the Philippians to declare with greater conviction the sovereignty of their Lord. This aligns with Paul's consistent emphasis on Christian conduct being worthy of the gospel, particularly in suffering, and glorifying Christ in all things.
Philippians 1 26 Commentary
Philippians 1:26 articulates a powerful truth about the reciprocal nature of Christian fellowship and the impact of God's faithfulness witnessed in the lives of His servants. Paul, awaiting judgment in prison, looks forward not to his own vindication as an end, but as a means to enhance the Philippians' spiritual well-being. His anticipated release and subsequent return would provide irrefutable proof of God's grace and power, confirming that despite trials, Christ reigns supreme and works all things for good. This would bolster their 'rejoicing'—their deep, unwavering confidence and reason for exulting—which is centered in Christ Jesus alone. His physical presence would solidify their faith and enable them to express their allegiance to Christ with even greater boldness and joy, becoming a testimony to God's continued faithfulness amidst opposition. It shows that true Christian leadership seeks to empower others to glory in Christ more fully, serving their joy and strengthening their testimony rather than drawing attention to oneself.