Bible Studies

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 11

by Clifford Tate 
07/20/16
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Paul Declares for him Life is Christ Part 4

Philippians 1:25-26 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. KJV

The Apostle Paul concludes this section of the opening of his letter to these Philippians believers declaring his life here on the earth to be lived for and by the power (from grace) of Jesus Christ by declaring to them that he was sure that he would live on longer in his tent, house, or body by saying just that with these words, “having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith” (Philippians 1:25). The English phrase “having this confidence” Paul uses here is translated by one Greek word peitho which as it is used here means to rely (by inward certainty); to believe or to trust. The English word “know” Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word eido meaning to be aware; to be sure; to understand or to perceive. The English phrase “I shall abide” Paul uses is translated by one Greek word meno a primary verb meaning; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): - continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, or tarry. In other words, when we put all of these Greek verbs together, we see that Paul was confident that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ would free him from his present confinement because as he declared in the previous verse “Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:24).

Paul knowing the desire of Christ to see His Church built up in the faith believed and trusted that Christ desired him to live on longer to help build the faith of these new Gentile believers in Philippi as well as equip them to go out in their city, country, and their world to proclaim the Gospel themselves with boldness, accuracy, and assurance that they too could see God the Holy Spirit work through them just as Paul was used to bring them to faith in Christ. Paul saw that his job was not finished with these believers and it gave him this confidence that he writes here to them. Paul was certain that his assignment was not only to build them up in their most holy faith (Jude 1:20), but also to teach them how to defend the Gospel in their world and beyond when they met the philosophers of the world who had convinced many people that God either did not exist or that He was uninterested, unconcerned, and uninvolved with the affairs of mankind on the earth. The English word “furtherance” Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word prokope which means progress or advancement; to grow, to be well along, and to increase. Paul now sees that our Lord Jesus Christ wants him to be an instrument for Him to use to grow the faith of these Gentile Philippian believers, just as a plant or tree must be nourished by the sunlight and by water, so was Paul required to remain on the earth longer to nourish these believers with and by the light and water of the Word of God. The more the Philippian believer’s faith increased and enlarged the stronger they would be and this would naturally increase their joy in the Lord Jesus Christ which joy would only serve to increase their strength and thus their growth would produce strength which would produce joy in Christ which would produce more strength and there would be a circle of continuous spiritual life being molded and shaped in these individual believers as well as the collective body the Church at Philippi.

Paul had many battles with enemy (the devil) and he was sure our Lord Jesus Christ would release him from his current captivity as before, not just for Paul’s sake, but more so for the sake of the Church at Philippi that he would be able to continue to prepare them for the constant and continual spiritual battles that he knew they would encounter their entire pilgrimage on the earth. Paul declares his desire for them to be “That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again” (Philippians 1:26). Paul knew that not only would they refresh his spirit in Christ Jesus, but his coming to them again would also refresh and revive their spirits in Christ and their rejoicing in Christ for Paul’s release would be amazing. The English phrase “may be more abundant” Paul uses to describe the level of their joy increasing is translated by one Greek word perisseuo which means to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel: - (make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above). Paul wanted to see what great joy would flood the hearts of these beloved brothers and sisters of his “in Christ” the moment they would see his face again knowing how much (with many tears) and how often (without wavering or ceasing) they prayed to our Heavenly Father for Paul’s release from prison (Philippians 1:19). Paul knew that their joy would be exceedingly great and this is what inspired the use of this word perisseuo because Paul had experienced personally this type of super-abounding joy many times in his walk with our Lord Jesus Christ.  

My own Personal Note: “It is the enemy that goes about the earth seeking whom he may devour and what he most wants to devour from those of us who believe is our joy, because he too knows that the ‘joy of the Lord is our strength’ (Nehemiah 8:10).”

“What a great confidence Paul had in the Divine Providence, that it would order all for the best to him. ‘Having this confidence that it will be needful for you that I should abide in the flesh, I know that I shall abide.’ Whatsoever is best for the Church, we may be sure God will do. If we know what is needful for building up the body of Christ, we may certainly know what will be; for He will take care of its interests, and do what is best, all things considered, in every condition it is in.” (Matthew Henry)

“No Christian life is broken short off so, but rises in a symmetrical shaft, and its capital is garlanded with amaranthine flowers in heaven. In one sense all our lives are incomplete, for they and their issues are above, out of our sight here. In another none are, for we are ‘immortal till our work is done.’ The true attitude, then, for us is patient service till He withdraws us from the field. We do not count him a diligent servant who is always wearying for the hour of leaving off to strike. Be it ours to labor where He puts us, patiently waiting till ‘death’s mild curfew’ sets us free from the long day’s work, and sends us home. Brethren! there are but two theories of life; two corresponding aspects of death. The one says, ‘To me to live is Christ, and to die gain’; the other, ‘To me to live is self, and to die is loss and despair.’ One or other must be your choice. Which?” Alexander MacLaren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…