Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this very thing, etc.] The reason of his thanksgiving, and of his making request with joy continually on the behalf of this church, was the confidence and full persuasion he had of this same thing, of which he could be as much assured as of any thing in the world: that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ: by this good work is not meant the preaching of the Gospel among them, nor a Gospel church state set up in the midst of them: for though the preaching of the Gospel was a good work, and issued well in the conversion of many, in their edification and comfort, and which was still continued; and though a Gospel church state…”

“confident--This confidence nerves prayers and thanksgivings (Phi 1:3-4). this very thing--the very thing which he prays for (Phi 1:4) is the matter of his believing confidence (Mar 11:24; Jo1 5:14-15). Hence the result is sure. he which hath begun--God (Phi 2:13). a good work--Any work that God begins, He will surely finish (Sa1 3:12). Not even men begin a work at random. Much more the fact of His beginning the work is a pledge of its completion (Isa 26:12). So as to the particular work here meant, the perfecting of their fellowship in the Gospel (Phi 1:5; Psa 37:24; Psa 89:33; Psa 138:8; Joh 10:28-29; Rom 8:29, Rom 8:35-39; Rom 11:1-2 Heb 6:17-19; Jam 1:17; Jde 1:24). As God cast not off…”

“Being confident - This is strong language. It means to be fully and firmly persuaded or convinced; participle, middle voice, from πείθω peithō - to persuade; compare Luke 16:31. “Neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead;” that is, they would not be convinced; Acts 17:4; Hebrews 11:13; Acts 28:24. It means here that Paul was entirely convinced of the truth of what he said. It is the language of a man who had no doubt on the subject. That he which hath begun a good work in you - The “good work” here referred to, can be no other than religion, or true piety. This is called the work of God; the work of the Lord; or the work of Christ; John 6:29; compare 1 Corinthians…”

“Being persuaded - The grounds of which persuasion are set down in the following verse. That he who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it until the day of Christ - That he who having justified, hath begun to sanctify you, will carry on this work, till it issue in glory. Philippians 1:7”

“1:6 God, who began the good work within you: God takes the initiative to work his salvation in people (see Rom 9:16; Eph 1:3-8, 11; 2:4-10), so he can be trusted to continue his work of changing people into the likeness of his Son (see Rom 8:29; Eph 4:13, 15).”

“confident: Co2 1:15, Co2 2:3, Co2 7:16, Co2 9:4; Gal 5:10; Th2 3:4; Plm 1:21; Heb 10:35 begun: Phi 1:29, Phi 2:13; Joh 6:29; Act 11:18, Act 16:14; Rom 8:28-30; Eph 2:4-10; Col 2:12; Th1 1:3; Th2 2:13, Th2 2:14; Tit 3:4-6; Heb 13:20, Heb 13:21; Jam 1:16-18; Pe1 1:2, Pe1 1:3 will: Psa 138:8; Joh 6:29; Eph 4:12; Th1 5:23, Th1 5:24; Th2 1:11; Pe1 5:10 perform it: or, finish it, Heb 12:2 the day: Phi 1:10; Co1 1:8; Pe2 3:10 Philippians 1:7”