Philippians 1:25

“And having this confidence,. know that. shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith”

“And having this confidence”: That he will remain alive, "that God's way for me means longer life and continued labor" (Muller p. 64). “I know that. shall abide”: “How can someone who has just been affirming the utter uncertainty of his fate now convincingly and without more ado make plans for the future? Paul was never uncertain about his fate. He was, however, uncertain about which choice to make, had he the chance to make it, whether to depart or to stay, to live or to die. He wanted the one equally as much as the other. Therefore, it must be repeated, Paul did not make the choice--he could not make the choice. God made it for him” (Hawthorne pp. 51-52). “And abide with you all”: “To remain beside. person to assist” (Jackson p. 34). “And stand fast alongside” (Hawthorne p. 52). This possibly indicating. future personal visit (Philippians 2:24). “Means to wait beside. person ever ready to help. Paul's desire to live is not for his own sake, but for the sake of those whom he can continue to help” (Barclay p. 28). “For”: “No one can fail to notice the true nobleness of Paul's desire. It is not the choice of one who wishes to live because he is afraid to die, nor of one who wishes to die because he lacks the courage to live” (Erdman p. 68). We should remember that "living" for Paul, usually meant more "suffering" (2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 11:23; 2 Corinthians 12:7). Living included pain, suffering, disappointment, challenges, and heartache at times, but he was willing to endure all of this and more, in order to assist his brethren. “Your progress”: “To promote your progress” (TCNT). “To help you develop” (Gspd). “And joy in the faith”: This expression would include. continual progress in understanding and appreciating the faith revealed (Judges 1:3). Paul believed that "joy" was. necessary ingredient or logical result of being. faithful Christian, yet such "joy" is only possible if one is "progressing" in the faith. “ Progress means happiness" (Hendriksen p. 79). Unfortunately, the church is at times filled with some unhappy Christians. This verse tells us why. Such joy is not possible when. person is not making the effort to progress in the faith.