Lord’s Library editors offer this confidence in this very thing Bible verse meaning, with commentary, from Philippians 1:6.
Philippians 1:6 is a profound Scripture that assures believers of God’s unwavering commitment to complete His work in them. The verse reads, “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.” This verse underscores the believer’s security in God’s promise, demonstrating that salvation is by grace through faith, and it is God Himself who initiates, sustains, and ultimately perfects our salvation.
The phrase “he which hath begun a good work in you” speaks to God’s role as the initiator of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 affirms that salvation is a gift from God, not something we achieve by our own merit: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” From the beginning, our salvation is rooted in God’s grace rather than our efforts. This good work—our redemption and transformation—is a divine act of mercy, and God takes full responsibility for bringing it to completion.
Confidence in This Very Thing Bible Verse
Furthermore, the assurance in Philippians 1:6 that God “will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” emphasizes His faithfulness. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 reminds us, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” This means that God’s commitment to our salvation is unwavering; He does not abandon the work He begins. We can have confidence not in ourselves, but in the unchanging character of God who is faithful to fulfill His promises.
This assurance does not rest on our ability to maintain faith but on God’s power to sustain us. Jude 1:24 comforts believers with the promise that God “is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” It is God who preserves us, and His grace is sufficient even in our weaknesses, as Paul testifies in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
The confidence Paul speaks of in Philippians 1:6 is thus a confidence not rooted in human ability or righteousness but in the grace of God. Romans 8:38-39 affirms that nothing can separate us from the love of God, “which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This enduring love is a powerful assurance that the salvation God began in us will indeed be carried through to completion. Because our salvation is by grace, rooted in faith, and not based on our works, we can rest in the promise that God will bring us to perfection in Christ.
Finally, the culmination of this promise is seen in 1 John 3:2, which states, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” This transformation is God’s final touch on the work He began in us, a glorious completion that will occur at Christ’s return.
In summary, Philippians 1:6 assures believers of God’s commitment to finish the work of salvation He started. By grace through faith, we are saved and secured, not by our works but by God’s enduring faithfulness. This confidence is rooted in His character and His promises, reminding us that our salvation is ultimately God’s work, from beginning to end.
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