Philippians 1 6

Philippians 1:6 kjv

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:

Philippians 1:6 nkjv

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Philippians 1:6 niv

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 esv

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.

Philippians 1:6 nlt

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1 verses

Philippians 1 6 Meaning

Philippians 1:6 expresses the Apostle Paul's unwavering confidence that God, who initiated the work of salvation and transformation in the Philippian believers, will faithfully continue and bring that work to completion until the ultimate "Day of Jesus Christ." It is a foundational statement of divine faithfulness and the security of believers, emphasizing God's initiative, sustained power, and ultimate purpose in the lives of His people. The "good work" refers to the spiritual transformation, sanctification, and ultimate glorification of the believer, all wrought by God Himself.

Philippians 1 6 Context

Philippians 1:6 appears at the beginning of Paul's letter to the church in Philippi, following his customary greetings and a heartfelt expression of thanks (Phil 1:3-5). Paul's imprisonment (Phil 1:7) would naturally cause concern among the Philippian believers for his well-being and the continuation of the gospel. In this verse, Paul articulates his deep "confidence" (Phil 1:6) and "earnest expectation and hope" (Phil 1:20) in God, not in human circumstances or even his own efforts, which directly reassures the Philippians regarding their spiritual state and future. The "good work" in them signifies their participation and partnership in the gospel (Phil 1:5), which Paul understands as divinely initiated and sustained. This verse sets the theological foundation for the entire letter, emphasizing God's sovereign hand in salvation and sanctification, providing hope and encouragement despite Paul's imprisonment and any external pressures the Philippians might face.

Philippians 1 6 Word analysis

• Being confident (πεποιθώς - pepoithōs): A perfect participle of peithō, meaning "to persuade." The perfect tense indicates a settled, abiding state resulting from a past persuasion. Paul is not just hoping but has an assured, established conviction and full persuasion, a confident assurance, rooted in God's character and promises. His confidence is firm and unshakeable.
• Of this very thing (αὐτὸ τοῦτο - auto touto): An emphatic expression emphasizing the specific object of Paul's confidence: what immediately follows in the verse. It directs full attention to the divine promise being declared.
• That He who began (ὁ ἐναρξάμενος - ho enarxamenos): The definite article with the aorist participle stresses "the One who began" – definitively God Himself. The verb enarchomai means "to begin, to make a commencement." It points to God as the sole initiator, the divine architect who started the work of salvation and transformation in the believers, implying His ownership and commitment.
• A good work (ἔργον καλόν - ergon kalon): This refers to the saving and transforming process initiated by God in the Philippians. Kalos signifies something intrinsically excellent, noble, beautiful, or fitting, not just morally 'good' (agathos). It encompasses their regeneration, faith, sanctification, growth in holiness, and their participation in the gospel. This 'work' is God's operation within them.
• In you (ἐν ὑμῖν - en hymin): Emphasizes that this "good work" is internal and personal within the individual believers. It's not an external decree but an active, transforming reality lived out within their hearts and lives.
• Will complete (ἐπιτελέσει - epitelesei): A future indicative of epiteleō, meaning "to bring to an end, to finish, accomplish, or perfect." It assures that the work initiated by God is not left unfinished. It denotes progression toward a consummating point. It's God's determined future action.
• It (αὐτό - auto): Refers directly back to the "good work" just mentioned. What God started, He will finish.
• Until (ἄχρι - achri): This preposition indicates the termination point or endpoint of the ongoing process. The divine work will continue actively until this specific time.
• The day of Jesus Christ (ἡμέρας Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ - hēmeras Christou Iēsou): This is an eschatological term referring to the second coming of Jesus Christ, His glorification of the saints, and the final judgment and consummation of God's redemptive plan. It marks the ultimate completion and revelation of the "good work."

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Being confident of this very thing": Paul's assurance stems from God's character and action, not human effort or potential. This sets a tone of spiritual security and trust.
• "He who began a good work in you": Highlights the divine initiative and sovereignty in salvation. The work is God's, not merely human-generated. It assures that their spiritual life didn't originate from their own will but from God's effectual call.
• "Will complete it": This is a powerful promise of divine perseverance and faithfulness. It affirms that God is not just the initiator but also the sustainer and finisher of His saving and sanctifying work. This negates any fear of spiritual abandonment by God.
• "Until the day of Jesus Christ": This phrase gives a clear eschatological horizon to the "good work." It signifies that the completion of their transformation aligns with Christ's glorious return, implying glorification and being made perfectly like Him. It provides the ultimate hope and goal for the Christian life.

Philippians 1 6 Bonus section

Theologically, Philippians 1:6 speaks powerfully to God's unilateral grace in salvation, reinforcing that from beginning to end, it is His doing (monergism), while not diminishing the human response of faith and cooperation. The source of Paul's pepoithōs (confidence) is crucial; it's not his assessment of the Philippians' strength or faithfulness, but of God's character. This highlights that assurance of salvation comes from looking to God's nature and promises, rather than introspecting on one's own merit or fluctuating spiritual feelings. It also provides a robust foundation against views that suggest believers can lose their salvation or that God's plan for individuals might be thwarted. The "good work" also connects to the idea that the grace which initiates salvation also empowers a life of good deeds (Eph 2:10), not as a means to earn salvation, but as the fruit of it. The Day of Jesus Christ here implies the ultimate presentation of a sanctified and perfected church to the Lord, free from fault or blemish.

Philippians 1 6 Commentary

Philippians 1:6 is a cornerstone verse articulating the Christian doctrine of the security of the believer, often connected to the perseverance of the saints. Paul’s confidence rests entirely upon God's unchanging nature and power, not on the fluctuating faithfulness of humans. The "good work" is multi-faceted: it encompasses the initial act of calling and conversion, the ongoing process of sanctification and spiritual growth, and ultimately, the glorification of believers when Christ returns. This verse provides immense assurance that what God starts, He faithfully finishes. His work in us is a testament to His divine sovereignty and grace, ensuring that every believer He calls will be preserved and brought to ultimate glory. It removes doubt concerning ultimate salvation, placing the burden and certainty upon God’s perfect will and infinite capability.

Practical examples:

• A believer struggling with persistent sin can find comfort in God's faithful commitment to complete His work of sanctification.
• Someone new in faith can be assured that God, who initiated their spiritual journey, will sustain and guide them through their entire life.
• Facing doubts or spiritual discouragement, this verse reminds believers that their spiritual growth and final destiny rest not on their strength but on God’s unfailing hand.