Philippians 1:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To persuade them, he also adds the reason. If this is necessary, then I shall truly remain, and not simply remain, but with you. This is precisely the meaning of the word "remain," that is, I shall see you. For what purpose? "For your progress and joy in the faith." By these words he moves them to be attentive to themselves, as though saying: if I remain for you, see that you do not put my remaining to shame. Having the possibility of beholding Christ, I chose to remain for your progress. Since my presence helps both your faith and your joy, I chose to remain. What then? Did he remain only for the Philippians? No, he did not remain for them only. He says this in order to comfort them. How did this serve their progress in faith?

Since, he says, it is necessary for me to remain in the flesh, I know without doubt and with full assurance that I shall remain, that is, I shall live. And not simply so, but with you, that is, I shall see you. For what purpose? So that you may grow in faith, that is, be confirmed and strengthened both in teaching and in life. This progress is true joy both for you and for me. Here the Apostle also instills fear in them, as though saying: see, for your sake I have postponed union with Christ. Therefore do not make my remaining in the flesh empty and vain. What then? Did he remain for the Philippians alone? Not for them alone. He speaks this way because of his great care for them and to move them to greater sobriety.

And, trusting in this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, <...>

I know that I shall escape the danger before me, so that I may again bring you abundant profit and joy, as to those who have attained what they desired. This prediction was fulfilled. First, he escaped Nero's fury, as he made clear in the epistles to blessed Timothy. He says: "At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion" (2 Tim 4:16-17). The history of Acts also informs us that, during his first stay, he lived in Rome for two years by himself "at his own expense" (Acts 28:30). From there he went to Spain and proclaimed the divine Gospel there. Then he returned to Rome and was beheaded. Having related this about himself, he turns his discourse to exhortation.

As a true father and servant of God, Paul refuses the one of his two desires that is more advantageous to himself: to depart at once, to be loosed, and to be with Christ. “I shall remain,” he says, and then he adds, “and continue,” that is, I shall remain until the completion, having attained such progress for you that you will advance and follow grace, namely the grace of faith. That is, until you advance in faith and acquire the grace of God.

Nevertheless, he expresses full confidence in his release from bonds. “I know surely that I shall remain and continue with you all, ... so that your boasting in Christ Jesus,” that is, our faith and Christian piety, “may increase through me, by my coming to you again.” This prediction was fulfilled. He spoke in the unlying prophetic spirit (Theodoret).

The evident necessity of the Apostle's preaching produced in him assurance that his life would be prolonged, and with this, the possibility of visiting Philippi. According to Chrysostom, the Apostle speaks here as though saying: "If I remained for you, see that you do not put my remaining to shame. Having the possibility of beholding Christ, I chose to remain here for your progress. Since my presence helps both your faith and your joy, I chose to remain" (cf. Rom 1:12). "The Apostle's prediction was fulfilled," says blessed Theodoret. "The result of the Apostle's new stay with the Philippians was the progress and joy of faith.

If it is good even on earth to have friends whose goodness would encourage us toward good, whose wisdom would enlighten us in difficulties, and whose strength and access to higher power would support and defend us, how much better it is to have friends in heaven. Their goodness, wisdom, and strength are pure, radiant, and divine, because of their unceasing communion with God. Or is this far away? It is not far away, brethren. For distances of time and place mean little to the spirit, especially to a spirit that is pure and lives in God. "I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy of faith," the Apostle assured them (Phil 1:25), though he did not know how long he would remain alive on earth. This word is surely true of all who are like him. Only let us have at least the beginning of faith and love, with hope of progress in them.

The Apostle regards either outcome of his situation so calmly that he himself does not even know which is better for him to desire, life or death. At the same time he notes that his life will, as before, be devoted to apostolic activity. It will bear the fruit of the work to whose service the Apostles were called; cf. Acts 13:2; 1 Thess 5:13. For him personally, death might perhaps have been more pleasant. But he knows that his life will bring benefit not to him alone, but to the whole Church. Being assured of this, the Apostle also knows that his activity is not finished. After his release from bonds, he will still bring benefit to the Philippians and even visit them again. This, the Apostle observes, will serve the joy of faith, or of the believers, who surely did not cease praying to God for the release of their Apostle.

"It is worthy of wonder in the divine Apostle that, for the sake of men's salvation, he preferred this life with its labors and dangers. I know, he says, that I shall escape the danger before me, so that I may again bring you abundant profit and joy, as to those who have attained what they desired" (blessed Theodoret). A difficult struggle was taking place in the Apostle's soul. In it one may see a small likeness of the struggle of Christ the Savior in the garden of Gethsemane. First, in the face of imminent danger of death, there arose the natural feeling for life, so lively in everyone. It was offered in sacrifice by his readiness to die for the Lord Jesus Christ. This sacrifice was sweetened by the assurance of nearness and communion with the Lord.