The Meaning of Philippians 1:6 Explained

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:

YLT: having been confident of this very thing, that He who did begin in you a good work, will perform it till a day of Jesus Christ,

Darby: having confidence of this very thing, that he who has begun in you a good work will complete it unto Jesus Christ's day:

ASV: being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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: 

What does Philippians 1:6 Mean?

Study Notes

day of
.
day of our Lord Jesus
The expression "day of Christ," occurs in the following passages: 1 Corinthians 1:8 ; 1 Corinthians 5:5 ; 2 Corinthians 1:14 ; Philippians 1:6 ; Philippians 1:10 ; Philippians 2:16 . A.V. has "day of Christ," 2 Thessalonians 2:2 incorrectly, for "day of the Lord"; Isaiah 2:12 ; Revelation 19:11-21 The "day of Christ" relates wholly to the reward and blessing of saints at his coming, as "day of the Lord" is connected with judgment.

Verse Meaning

What was the good work to which Paul referred? If he had in mind only the generosity of his original readers, he may have meant that good work. However, as I have suggested, he seems to have had a much broader concept in mind, namely, what the work of the gospel produces: salvation. Who had begun this good work of salvation? It could only be God. Paul was confident that God would finish what He had begun in his beloved Philippians.
In the New Testament, God has revealed that salvation is a process. It involves justification, when a sinner trusts Jesus Christ as his or her Savior. It includes progressive sanctification that occurs from the time of justification to the Christian"s death or the Rapture. And it culminates in glorification, when the redeemed sinner finally sees Jesus Christ and experiences transformation into His image. Paul was confident that just as surely as God had justified the Philippians He would also continue to sanctify and eventually glorify them. Whereas we have a hand in the process of sanctification and can affect it by our obedience or disobedience, God alone justifies us. Regardless of our carnality or spirituality He will also glorify us ( 1 Corinthians 15:50-57).
The aspect of sanctification that Paul had in view, considering Philippians 1:5, was the Philippians" partnership with him in the work of propagating the gospel. He was confident that God would continue His sanctifying work in them so they might become even more effective partners with him in this great task.
This verse does not teach that God will keep all Christians persevering in the faith and in good works faithfully until they die. Believers can and do resist, oppose, and limit God"s sanctifying work in them ( Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). Perseverance in faith and good works is not automatic for the Christian. The New Testament writers consistently urged us to persevere recognizing that some Christians will not do so ( Titus 2:11-13; Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 4:1; Hebrews 6:1-8; et al.). Even some of Paul"s fellow workers did not persevere faithfully ( 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:10). Even though some Christians do not persevere in faith and good works, God will persevere in bringing them to glory (i.e, will glorify them). [1] Thus it is God who perseveres in the work of salvation, not necessarily man.
Paul"s reference to the day of Christ Jesus as the culmination of the Lord"s work of salvation in the believer points to the day when He will return for His own: the Rapture. There are at least18 references to this day in the New Testament ( Romans 13:12; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 1:10; Philippians 2:16; Philippians 3:11; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:8).
"The expression is similar to the "day of the Lord" ( 1 Thessalonians 5:2) and the OT "day of Jehovah" ( Amos 5:18-20). However, in contrast to the OT emphasis on judgment, the "day of Christ Jesus" is mentioned in all cases with reference to the NT church. It will be the time when Christ returns for his church, salvation is finally completed, and believers" works are examined and the believer rewarded." [2]
This is one of the most comforting verses in the Bible for Christians. Our getting to heaven safely does not depend on us, on our ability to hold on and to persevere faithfully to the end of our lives. The Lord will see to it that we reach heaven safely in spite of our failures and shortcomings. Salvation is God"s work, not man"s ( Jonah 2:9). As surely as He has already delivered us from the penalty of sin ( Romans 5:1), He will one day deliver us from the presence of sin (cf. Romans 8:31-39).
"Here is confidence indeed. Our salvation can no more be forfeited than the Father can break his pledged word to glorify his Son. No wonder, then, that Paul uses the language of a man who has no doubts: I am sure." [3]
Philippians 1:3-6 summarize the entire epistle. They introduce the main theme, which is the Philippians" partnership in the gospel.
"All the rest of the letter is concerned primarily with their development as koinonoi [4] so that they may be blessed with a temporally fruitful, eternally rewardable partnership in the gospel." [5]

Context Summary

Philippians 1:1-11 - Rejoice In Growth And Seek Increase
It is exceedingly difficult to compress this Epistle, which is the tenderest and most personal of them all. Every word merits consideration; every paragraph is full of linked sweetness long drawn out. In the opening verses we are taught that we may further the gospel, not only by direct efforts, but by helping those who, like the Apostle, are devoted to its spread. From the early beginnings of their friendship, this Church had never faltered in its loving gifts, which Paul sought to repay with prayers on their behalf. He regarded them as comrades fighting the same enemy, on the same field, and sharing in the same grace.
The Apostle's confidence that whatever God begins will have its perfect end, Philippians 1:6, is very reassuring. This is what we need, though we must not take it for granted apart from faith and prayer. Each of the Epistles has its "collect," its comprehensive prayer offered in the name of Christ. This one is especially beautiful. Abounding love will lead to increased knowledge; and this to quicker discrimination between things that differ, however similar they may appear; and this, in turn, to freedom from blame and offense. And all will result in the fruit of a holy life, pleasing to Jesus and bringing glory and praise to God. [source]

Chapter Summary: Philippians 1

1  Paul testifies his thankfulness to God, and his love toward the Philippians,
9  daily praying for their increase in grace;
12  he shows what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome;
21  and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death;
27  exhorting them to unity;
28  and to fortitude in persecution

Greek Commentary for Philippians 1:6

Being confident [πεποιτως]
Second perfect active of πειτω — peithō to persuade. [source]
This very thing [αυτο τουτο]
Accusative of the inner object with πεποιτως — pepoithōs “this thing itself.” Will perfect it (επιτελεσει — epitelesei). Future active indicative of επιτελεω — epiteleō will fully (επι — epi̇) finish. God began and God will consummate it (see note on 2 Corinthians 8:6 and note on Galatians 3:3 where both words occur together as here), but not without their cooperation and partnership. Until the day of Jesus Christ The second coming as in Phlippians 1:10. See note on 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Romans 13:12. Paul never sets the time for the Lord‘s return, but he is cheered by that blessed hope. [source]
Will perfect it [επιτελεσει]
Future active indicative of επιτελεω — epiteleō will fully (επι — epi̇) finish. God began and God will consummate it (see note on 2 Corinthians 8:6 and note on Galatians 3:3 where both words occur together as here), but not without their cooperation and partnership. [source]
Until the day of Jesus Christ [αχρι ημερας Χριστου Ιησου]
The second coming as in Phlippians 1:10. See note on 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Romans 13:12. Paul never sets the time for the Lord‘s return, but he is cheered by that blessed hope. [source]
Being confident [πεποιθὼς]
With a slightly causative force: since I am confident. [source]
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 by taking the barley-meal from the basket (“Iphigenia in Aulis,” 435). Some find the sacrificial metaphor here, and compare Phlippians 2:17, see note. Perform, better as Rev., perfect. Perform, in its older and literal sense of carrying through (per ) or consummating would express the idea; but popular usage has identified it with do. [source]

What do the individual words in Philippians 1:6 mean?

being persuaded of [the] very thing this that the [One] having begun in you a work good will complete [it] until [the] day of Christ Jesus
πεποιθὼς αὐτὸ τοῦτο ὅτι ἐναρξάμενος ἐν ὑμῖν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐπιτελέσει ἄχρι ἡμέρας Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ

πεποιθὼς  being  persuaded  of 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐπισείω 
Sense: persuade.
αὐτὸ  [the]  very  thing 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
τοῦτο  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
  the  [One] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐναρξάμενος  having  begun 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐνάρχομαι  
Sense: to begin, to make a beginning.
ἔργον  a  work 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
ἀγαθὸν  good 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ἀγαθός 
Sense: of good constitution or nature.
ἐπιτελέσει  will  complete  [it] 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐπιτελέω  
Sense: to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete.
ἄχρι  until 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἄχρι  
Sense: until, unto, etc.
ἡμέρας  [the]  day 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἡμέρα  
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
Χριστοῦ  of  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
Ἰησοῦ  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.