Philippians 1:19

“For. know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”

“I know that this shall turn out to my salvation”: “My release” (Mof). “For my highest welfare” (Gspd). “My safety” (Ber). “Deliverance” (NASV). Basically two views exist concerning the word "salvation" or "deliverance" in this passage: Everything that had happened to him, both good and bad (Philippians 1:12ff), had only improved his spiritual health. Thus, he knew that all this was working towards his eternal salvation (2 Timothy 4:6). The term salvation may also refer to deliverance from prison. Paul knew that he was going to be released (Philippians 1:25; Philippians 2:24). Especially note the similar use of the word "know". Barclay reminds us, “There is. great truth here. In any situation of opportunity or challenge,. man is acting not only for time, but also for eternity.. man's reaction to every situation in time is. witness for or against him in eternity” (p. 24).. third view is somewhat of. blend of the other two. “God put me in this situation; and God means it, with all its problems and its difficulties, to make for my happiness and useless in time, and for my joy and peace in eternity” (Barclay p. 25). And what would contribute to his release?

“Through your supplication”: Through the prayers of the brethren in Philippi. He had prayed for the Philippians (Philippians 1:9-11), now he is depending upon their prayers. Paul believed in the effectiveness of prayers offered by "common" members, even uninspired members, that is, Christians who possessed no miraculous gifts (Romans 15:30; 2 Thessalonians 3:2; Philemon 1:22; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; Colossians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). Paul believed that the future was "flexible", that God does effect changes in history to accommodate the godly and sincere desires of His people. No physical army on earth could force Caesar to release Paul. Yet the prayers of Christians did have such potential power. God through His wonderful and all-wise Providence can bring to reality the desires of God's own people. “Paul was never too big. man to remember that he needed the prayers of his friends. He never talked to people as if he could do everything and they could do nothing” (Barclay p. 25).

“And the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”: The term supply means to contribute. “The Spirit is called ‘the Spirit of Jesus Christ' because the Lord sent forth the Spirit from heaven (John 15:26)” (Jackson p. 33). What the Spirit supplied Paul with was inspiration as he stood before Caesar (Matthew 10:18). Paul knew that God was writing the speech that he would give before the highest court in the land.