Philippians 1:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What then does "that your rejoicing may abound" mean? It means that what serves for praise should abound, namely confirmation in faith, which is praise in Christ, and righteous life. Is it then in me, "that your rejoicing may abound by my coming to you again"? Yes, he says. "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you?" (1 Thess 2:19). "As also you are our boast, even as we also are yours" (2 Cor 1:14). That is, so that I may have more to boast of in you. How so? "That your rejoicing may abound." I can boast more when you make progress. "By my coming to you again." What then? Did he come to them? Search out for yourselves whether he came.

Since he said above that he would remain for the sake of their progress, he now shows that he also derives some benefit from this. Namely, he receives greater glory through them, because through his coming to them they will make greater progress. But did he come to them? This is unknown and is a matter of dispute.

<...> so that, when I come to you again, this praise, by which I boast through you in Christ, may be greatly increased for me.

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.

“By my coming to you again.” The Apostle had been in Philippi several times, and the coming there that he expects will not be the first. In the expected coming, as in the preceding ones, the Apostle hopes to encourage the Philippians still more and call them to greater struggles, which will be followed by greater glory.

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.

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.

The result of the Apostle's new continued presence with them is the progress and joy of faith. The result of both is the increase of the Philippians' praise concerning Christ Jesus. They had already been praised both for firmness in faith and for zeal in works according to faith. But when the Apostle comes to them and gives them new instruction in both matters, he will advance their faith and moral life. Through this their praise will be raised higher. "Praise concerning Christ Jesus" means praise in His Spirit, or such praise as the Lord Himself will give them. But the phrase "in me" also suggests that this praise from them will pass to the Apostle. As their teacher, he too will have greater praise because his disciples are praiseworthy.