Promise of Completion

Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:1-5


The word translated “bond-servants” in verse 1 is dulos. It means slaves. “Saints” literally means holy ones, set apart for God’s service. All believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are saints. Not the plaster variety you see in churchyards. Not dead “miracle-workers.” Real flesh-and-blood living people, and those believers who have gone before us. I cringe when I hear a believer say “well, I’m no saint, but…” Well, yes, you are. You should acknowledge that fact. It is a fine designation for anyone who belongs to the Lord.

“Overseers:” pastor-teachers, sometimes referred to as bishops. “Deacons:” specially ordained men who help with the ministries of the church. There was already good organization in the local churches. This one was the first local church in Europe. The Congregation was made up of mostly Gentiles. There were several prominent women serving in this church.

“Grace to you:” God’s special favor, and “peace:” reconciliation. From the Father and the Son. Paul expressed his deep appreciation for this congregation, which he and Timothy had planted together, after meeting Lydia and her friends who were seeking truth about God’s plan (Acts 16:13-15). When they learned of Paul’s imprisonment, they sent help to him. This epistle is in part a thank-you note for that much needed help. He continually prayed for them, joyfully, remembering how supportive they had been in his ministry.

V.6: “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

There is no going back. This is a divine promise. You were born into the body of Christ when you believed in Him. You are IN HIM forever. He has a plan and purpose for your life. The work He began in you (notice it is HE who began it) WILL be completed. Perfected. Matured. It is HIS work, and it isn’t over until the return of our Lord to claim His own.

The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Psalm 138:8

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them. Psalm 139:16

…awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. I Corinthians 1:7-9

It is no accident that we are where we are. There is a plan. We are part of it. We have been recruited as members of a vast company of soldiers who belong to Jesus Christ, LORD of the Armies. He has chosen us, redeemed us, equipped us and sent us forth to share His gospel in the world. He will accomplish His will in us. We have been reborn into a New Species of humanity who know and understand what unconditional love is, because it is the production of God the Holy Spirit in our souls. We will grow into the mature representatives of God that He has designed us to be.

He is seeing to it.