Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
Parallel Translations
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Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
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And this am I sure of that I shall abyde and with you all continue for the furtheraunce and ioye of youre fayth
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And this am I sure of, that I shall abide, and with you all continue, for your furtherance and ioy of your faith,
Cross-references (15)
Passages linked to Philippians 1:25 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Philippians 2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly.
- 2 Corinthians 1:24 We don’t control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.
- Ephesians 4:11-13 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
- Acts 20:25 “Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more.
- Romans 1:11-12 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
- Romans 5:2 through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
- Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Psalms 60:6 God has spoken from his sanctuary: “I will triumph. I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.
- Luke 22:32 but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”
- John 21:15-17 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
- Acts 11:23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.
- Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.
- Romans 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
- Romans 15:29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.
- 1 Peter 1:8 whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory,
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (18 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 25 And having this confidence. Some, reckoning it an…
25 And having this confidence. Some, reckoning it an inconsistent thing that the Apostle should acknowledge himself to have been disappointed of his expectation, are of opinion that he was afterwards freed from bonds, and went over many countries of the world. Their fears, however, as to this are groundless, for the saints are accustomed to regulate their expectations according to the word of God, so as not to promise themselves more than God has promised. Thus, when they have a sure token of God’s will, they in that case place their reliance also upon a sure persuasion, which admits of no hesitation. Of this nature is a persuasion respecting a perpetual remission of sins, respecting the aid of the Spirit for the grace of final perseverance, (as it is called,) and respecting the resurrection of the flesh. Of this nature, also, was the assurance of the Prophets respecting their prophecies. As to other things, they expect nothing except conditionally, and hence they subject all events to the providence of God, who, they allow, sees more distinctly than they. To remain, means here, to stay for a little while: to continue, means, to remain for a long time.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 25 And having this confidence, I know that I…
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
Ver. 25. And joy of faith] That is, for your full assurance, which is that highest degree of faith, whereby a believer having gotten victory over his doubtings, triumpheth with a large measure of joy.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain And having this confidence; viz. being persuaded of what…
And having this confidence; viz. being persuaded of what went immediately before, how useful the continuance of his life, for a further time in this world, would be to the church of Christ, and particularly to them, he determines (as should seem) with more than probable conjecture; though, upon supposition it should be otherwise, he gives them abundant satisfaction in their adhering to Christ, Phi 1:27; 2:17.
I know; even with a well grounded knowledge, either by a prophetic Spirit, from a particular revelation such as he had sometimes before had, Act 16:9,10; 23:11, or the sanctifying Spirit witnessing with his spirit, Rom 8:16, strengthening his faith and persuasion, helped by their faith and prayer, Phi 1:19, compared with 1Pe 1:8.
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I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; to these ends, that, by his personal presence with them, he might by his ministry further their faith in Christ, their joy in the Holy Ghost, and more abundant glorying in the power of Jesus Christ, for his safety, and being restored to them, as we see in what follows; and Eph 4:1, with 2Ti 4:17, we find, from his first imprisonment at Rome, (when likely this Epistle was written), he was delivered, and for some years restored to the churches which he had planted.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain St. Paul having in the foregoing verses told the…
St. Paul having in the foregoing verses told the Philippians how needful it was for him to abide in the flesh, with respect to them, he here gives them a sort of confident assurance (which was given him by immediate revelation) that his life should at this time be preserved for the benefit of the church, and he set at liberty; and that he should come and spend a part of his time amongst them for the furtherance of their faith, and the increase of their joy, that so they might have more abundant matter of rejoicing in Christ, having received a new proof of his power and good-will towards them, in delivering him their apostles from death, and sending him to them again.
Learn hence, 1. That God always can, and sometimes will, so calm the rage of persecutors, that they cannot execute the evil by them intended and resolved against his faithful ministers and servants.
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Notwithstanding Nero’s cruelty, St. Paul had a confident persuasion that he should come out of prison and once more visit the churches.
Learn, 2. That Almighty God in great mercy to his church, doth sometimes prolong the lives of his faithful ministers, and most useful servants, and keep them longer out of heaven, that his people may reap the greater advantage by their labours here on earth.
Learn, 3. That the more unexpectedly the life of a laborious minister, or a pious and extraordinary Christian, is given him by God, the more abundant ought the church to be in their expressions of joy and thanksgiving to God for such an invaluable blessing: That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me, by my coming to you.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And having this confidence, I know that I shall…
And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide,.... In the flesh, in the body, live a little longer in the world. These words must be understood either of a certain infallible knowledge, arising from a divine revelation, and a firm persuasion and confidence founded upon that which the apostle had, of his being delivered from his bonds, and spared a little longer for further usefulness among the churches; and accordingly some have thought that he was after this set at liberty, and travelled through several countries preaching the Gospel, and after that was committed to prison and suffered death; but of this there is no sufficient proof: or rather therefore of a conjectural knowledge arising from the present state of things, and his view of it; being willing to hope, and persuade himself that he should be delivered from his confinement, and his life be spared for the good of the interest of Christ, and the glory of his name; it being what his heart was set upon, and he was very desirous of:
and continue with you all; not only with the Philippians, but other saints, and other churches, who were dear to him, and he to them; though he may mean more especially these believers:
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for your furtherance, or "profiting"; in divine and spiritual things, in the knowledge of Christ, and the truths of the Gospel:
and joy of faith; for the furtherance, or increase of that joy which faith is attended with, and which springs from it; for true solid joy springs from faith in the person, blood, righteousness, and atonement of Christ; and is what may be increased, and is often done by and through the ministry of the word, and the ministers of the Gospel; who do not pretend to a dominion over the faith of men, only to be helpers of their joy, as they sometimes are, as also of their faith, which as it comes by hearing is increased the same way. The phrase is Jewish; mention is made in the writings of the Jews (f) of , "the joy of faith",
(f) Zohar in Gen. fol. 113. 4. & in Exod. fol. 36. 4.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain I know - By a prophetic notice given him…
I know - By a prophetic notice given him while he was writing this. That I shall continue some time longer with you - And doubtless he did see them after this confinement.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 25. Having this confidence, I know that I…
Verse 25. Having this confidence, I know that I shall abide] Convinced that it is necessary that I should live longer, for the spreading and defence of the Gospel, I am persuaded that I shall now be liberated. This was in fact the case, for, after having been two years in bonds at Rome, he was released.
For your furtherance] In the way of righteousness.
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And joy of faith] And happiness in that way. The farther a man proceeds in the way of truth, the stronger his faith will be; and the stronger his faith, the greater his joy or happiness.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain And having this confidence - “Being persuaded of this,…
And having this confidence - “Being persuaded of this, that my continuance on earth is desirable for your welfare, and that the Lord has a work for me to do, I confidently expect that I shall be permitted to live.” The “confidence” here referred to was, that his life was needful for them, and hence that God would spare him. A literal translation would be, “And being persuaded as to this, or of this” - τοῦτο πεποιθὼς touto pepoithōs - “I know,” etc. The foundation of his expectation that he should live does not appear to have been any revelation to that effect, as Doddridge supposes; or any intimation which he had from the palace of the intentions of the government, as some others suppose, but the fact that he believed his life to be necessary for them, and that therefore God would preserve it.
I know that I shall abide - The word “know,” however, (οιδα oida) is not to be pressed as denoting absolute necessity - for it appears from Phi 1:27 and Phi 2:17, that there was some ground for doubt whether he would live - but is to be taken in a popular sense, as denoting good courage, and an earnest hope that he would be permitted to live and visit them. Heinrichs.
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And continue with you all - That is, that he would be permitted not only to live, but to enjoy their society.
For your furtherance and joy of faith - For the increase of your faith, and the promotion of that joy which is the consequence of faith. Wetstein has quoted a beautiful passage from Seneca (Epis. 104) which strikingly resembles this sentiment of Paul. He says that when a man had meditated death, and when on his own account he would be willing to die, yet that he ought to be willing to live - to come back again to life - for the sake of his friends. Pagan adds: “It pertains to a great mind to be willing to come back to life for the sake of others; which distinguished people often do.”
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain And having this confidence. In effect St. Paul escaped…
And having this confidence. In effect St. Paul escaped this first danger, for after having remained two years at Rome, he was taken from his confinement. (Calmet) --- I know (or am persuaded, as in the Greek) that I shall remain....by my coming to you again. This is one argument that this epistle was written during his first imprisonment at Rome: yet this is not agreed upon by the interpreters, and especially whether he ever returned again to Philippi. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain Translate, "And being confident of this."
Translate, "And being confident of this."
I know, &c.--by prophetical intimations of the Spirit. He did not yet know the issue, as far as human appearances were concerned (Phi 2:23). He doubtless returned from his first captivity to Philippi (Heb 13:19; Plm 1:22).
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joy of faith--Greek, "joy in your faith."
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 3. Paul’s hopes of his Philippians, Php_1:25-26.
3. Paul’s hopes of his Philippians, Php_1:25-26.
25. Having this confidence—So fully was he persuaded of this necessity, that however uncertain he might be as to what he ought to choose, he felt it certain that he would remain and again visit Philippi. The return to them of their apostle could have had no other result than the enlargement of their faith, and the increase of their joy.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 25. having this confidence] The Greek is the same…
25. having this confidence] The Greek is the same as in Php_1:6 above, where see note.
I know] An unqualified assertion, made more explicit still by the next verse. We have the strongest ground, from the merely historical point of view, for saying that this expectation was verified by the event; that the Apostle was released, and enabled to revisit his missions. See 1Ti_1:3 for an intimation of a visit to Macedonia, later in date than the writing of this passage.
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It has been asked how this “I know” is to be reconciled with the “I know that ye all shall see my face no more,” of Act_20:25. Were both verified by the event? We believe that they were, and that only our necessary ignorance of the history in detail makes the difficulty. We believe that the guidance of the Divine Spirit, however His action worked through a perfect freedom of mental processes in St Paul, secured the veracity of his deliberate forecasts in a way quite supernatural. But apart from this ground of inference, we think that Act_20:25 has natural evidences of its fulfilment. The narrative there, acts 1:37, 38, calls special and pathetic attention to the prediction; and it seems hardly credible that if it had been contradicted by events within a few years the passage should have remained intact; some sort of intimation that St Paul had after all met them again would have crept in. And we have seen that there is good evidence for the fulfilment of the present anticipation also. It seems reasonable, then, from the merely historical point of view, to assume that events did prevent an after-visit of St Paul’s to Ephesus, though he did revisit Miletus (2Ti_4:20); or at least that there was no such after-visit as allowed him to meet that body of presbyters again.
and continue with you all] Better, with R.V., yea, and abide with you all. The word “abide” is repeated: it will be not only continuance, but continuance with you.—Quite lit., “abide by you all”; as side by side in Christian life and labour.
furtherance] R.V., progress; more accurately. The A.V. suggests St Paul’s helping them on, which is not the point of the Greek word here. See above on Php_1:12.
joy of faith] Lit., “joy of the faith.” R.V. “joy in the faith.” But Rom_15:13 (“joy … in believing”) seems to us to favour the A.V., and Marg. R.V. The definite article quite naturally may mean “your faith,” your act and experience of believing. For the deep connexion between joy and faith see Rom. quoted above; Act_16:34; 1Pe_1:8.—Both “progress” and “joy” in this verse have relation to the word “faith.”
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (25) I know.—The word is not to be pressed…
(25) I know.—The word is not to be pressed too far. It is simply, “I feel certain;” and it is obvious to remark that in Act_20:25 it is used by St. Paul of a conviction (that he would “see the face” of the Ephesians “no more”) which, so far as we can follow out the history, was not verified. The apostolic inspiration, like the apostolic power of miracle, was a gift relative to the apostolic work, not necessarily extending beyond it.
Abide and continue with you.—The latter verb is in the original a compound of the former, “I shall abide,” and “shall abide side by side with you.” It was for their sakes that it was needful for him to live. Hence to the simple idea “I shall abide,” it was natural to add at once the phrase “with you,” or “for you,” as explaining the very object of his abiding in the flesh.
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For your furtherance and joy of faith.—In these words St. Paul’s presence with them is spoken of, first, as in some degree necessary for their spiritual advance; next, as being to them a gift of God for their joy and comfort, even beyond what was actually necessary. (See the next verse.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain And having this confidence, I know that I shall…
And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all. Being persuaded of this, that my life is needful for you; or, as others render, "And this I certainly, confidently know." The first translation seems preferable, for St. Paul"s assurance does not seem to rest on direct inspiration, but on a calculation of probabilities. The apostles could not always foresee their own future. (Act_20:22) Bishop Lightfoot says, "The same word oida is used Act_20:25, where he expresses his belief that he shall not see his Asiatic converts again. Viewed as infallible presentiments, the two are hardly reconcilable; for the one assumes, the other negatives, his release. The assurance here recorded was fulfilled; (1Ti_1:3) while the presentiment there expressed was overruled by events." (2Ti_1:15, 18 4:20) For your furtherance and joy of faith; for the progress and joy of your faith, that you may continually increase in faith and take delight in it. Joy is the keynote of this Epistle.
Vers. 25, 26. The apostle"s personal conviction as to his future course.
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He might be uncertain as to which he should choose, but he was fully confident as to what would befall him. Notice
I THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS CONTINUANCE WITH HIS CONVERTS. "And being confidently persuaded of this that his life would be for their spiritual advantage I know that I shall abide, and abide with you all." His knowledge was not necessarily derived from special revelation or from mere presentiment, but represents his firm personal conviction that he would survive his present imprisonment. His assurance was eventually fulfilled, as we know by his labors during the remaining years of his life. He knew that his times were in God"s hands, and that the same Lord who foretold the manner of Peter"s end would fix the time of his own end. He could feel he was immortal till his work was done.
II THE EFFECT OF HIS CONTINUED LABOURS. "For your furtherance and joy of faith." The life of a minister is intimately associated with the spiritual comfort of his flock.
1. The apostle would be the means of increasing their faith.
(1) By his imparting of new truth;
(2) by his skillful application of old truth to new circumstances;
(3) by deepening the dependence of his converts on that Lord whom the twelve apostles once unanimously addressed with the words, "Increase our faith"; (Luk_17:5)
(4) by imparting spiritual gifts. (Rom_1:11)
2. The apostle would contribute to the joy of their faith.
(1) This joy is essentially connected with faith as its source; for the God of hope fills us "with all joy and peace in believing". (Rom_15:13)
(2) Faith in its fullness inspires a deep joy in proportion to its thorough realization of Divine realities and blessings. "In whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable". (1Pe_1:8)
(3) The apostle would thus promote their spiritual strength; for "the joy of the Lord" would become "their strength.
III THE ULTIMATE DESIGN OF HIS CONTINUANCE. "That your matter for boasting in the fact of your condition as Christians may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my coming to you again.
1. The element of increase in Christian living and Christian privilege is in Christ Jesus; for it is in virtue of its connection with the head "that the body maketh increase of itself in love". (Eph_4:16)
2. The instrumental source of increase is in me through the apostle"s continued labor.
3. It would be still more marked by his personal visits to his converts; for he would come to them in fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. T.C.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Having this confidence--This I know of the apostle has…
Php_1:25
Having this confidence--This I know of the apostle has something like its parallel in that of Luther, when his friend and true yoke fellow, Melancthon, lay at the point of death.
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The reformer, it is said, after earnest prayer approached the sick bed, and uttered these prophetic words, Cheer up, Philip; you are not going to die. Luther was in no sense prophesying, but he had been praying; and in answer to his prayer the conviction was irresistibly borne in upon his mind and heart, that his colleague, for whom so much work was waiting, would yet live to do it. What, then, of personal conviction Luther asserted about another, Paul here asserts about himself. We thus see that blended humility and trustfulness, more especially in strongly emotional natures, can dare sometimes to use the bold language of assured conviction even in regard to issues which are to us uncertain, for they are with God alone. But it is to be noticed that this language never can be used when merely personal or private ends are in view. When Paul said I know in this case, he was indeed alluding to his own future, but he was contemplating it in relation not to his own individual interests, but solely to his friends progress and joy in the faith,--their advancement in the inner life through strengthening faith, and their joy, as overflowing out of that faith, in their outward life of Christian service. All this would be theirs by his presence restored to them for a time, more than by any letter, however tender, he could write to them. (J. Hutchison, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 25. And having this confidence. Rather, “Being fully persuaded…
25. And having this confidence. Rather, “Being fully persuaded of this.” Sure that he is needed on earth by the churches, he has no doubt that he will be delivered from his present danger and abide and continue, live to further their faith.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Being convinced of this
Being convinced of this
"Since I am sure that it is better for you that I stay alive"
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I know that I will remain
"I know that I will continue to live" or "I know that I will keep on living"
so that in me
"so that because of me" or "so that because of what I do"
that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel
The phrases "standing firm in one spirit" and "with one mind striving together" share similar meanings and emphasize the importance of unity. (See: Parallelism)
with one mind striving together
"striving together with one mind." Agreeing with one another is spoken of as having one mind. AT: "agreeing with one another and striving together" (See: Metaphor)
striving together
"working hard together"
for the faith of the gospel
Possible meanings are 1) "to spread the faith that is based on the gospel" or 2) "to believe and live as the gospel teaches us"
translationWords
confidence
joy
faith
Jesus
worthy
good news
spirit
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 1:25 The well-being of the church is more important…
1:25 The well-being of the church is more important to Paul than his own desire to be with Christ. • experience the joy of your faith: Believers are encouraged to find joy even in the midst of suffering (see 4:4; John 15:11, 20; 16:20-24; 1 Thes 5:16).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.