Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Philippians 1:25

οἶδα, ὅτι μενῶ. We have good ground for saying that this οἶδα was verified in the event; see 1 Timothy 1:3 for an intimation of a visit to Macedonia after this date.

παραμενῶ πᾶσιν ὑμῖν. T. R., συμπαραμενῶ, which seems preferable; see critical note. Not only will he “stay” (μενῶ) “in the flesh”; his stay will be “with and beside” (συμπαραμενῶ) the Philippians, whether in bodily presence or in other full communication.

προκοπὴν. “Progress”; see on Philippians 1:12.

χαρὰν τῆς πίστεως. “Joy of (i.e. related to, born of) the (i.e. your) faith.” R.V. renders “joy in the faith.” But cp. Romans 15:13, χαρὰ … ἐν τῷ πιστεύειν, where joy appears as one of the bright issues of personal faith. Ἡ πίστις in the sense of creed, the truth believed (Jude 1:3, and perhaps 20), is rarely (at most) to be found in St Paul. 1 Tim. gives the most probable examples of it; cp. 1 Timothy 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 4:6; 1 Timothy 5:8; 1 Timothy 6:21; 1 Timothy 6:21. Even there it is difficult to explain the word as only objective; it may rather mean the believer’s apprehension of the revealed truth. See Ellicott on Galatians 1:23.

Connect both προκοπὴν and χαρὰν with πίστεως. He thinks of them as alike advancing and rejoicing in the believing life.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Philippians 1:25

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