1:6a

being confident: This means “being sure” or “strongly believing.” In many languages it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here and to translate this as “I am confident” or “I am certain” or “I am convinced.”

of this: This is an emphatic phrase, literally, “of this very thing.” This phrase is pointing forward to what follows: Paul is sure about what God will continue to do. Some English translations (for example, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004)) either do not translate this phrase or understand it as emphasizing “confident.” For example:

quite confident (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I’m convinced (God’s Word)

But most commentators and translations understand this phrase to be emphasizing what Paul is confident about (Berean Standard Bible, NET Bible, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version). If in your language it is possible to place emphasis on what Paul is sure of, that would be appropriate here.

He who began a good work in you: He refers to God. There are two interpretations of the good work that he began:

(1) The good work that God began was the salvation and new life that God gave them when they believed the gospel. When the Philippians received the gospel, God did something in them that changed who they were.

(2) The good work that God began was their work of cooperating in the spread of the gospel. This understanding is signaled by the insertion of the word “this” in Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, and God’s Word. For example:

God, who began this good work in you (Good News Translation)

Most translations do not insert the word “this” and so are probably following the first interpretation. It is recommended that, along with the majority of commentators, you also follow first interpretation (1).

In some languages it may be necessary to translate the noun work with a verb:

The one who has begun to do something good in you….

In some languages it may also be necessary to express the idea began as a marker on the following verb (“work,” “make” or “do”) instead of as a separate word.

1:6b

will carry it on to completion: In the Greek this is a single verb meaning “will complete, finish, accomplish.” God began the good work of salvation within the Philippians and would continue to work in them to change them into godly people. In some languages the best way to express the idea of “complete” or completion will be to put it in a sentence at the end of the verse. For example:

God will continue doing this good work in you until Christ Jesus returns. At that time it will be complete.

until the day of Christ Jesus: The Greek word achri translated by the Berean Standard Bible as until has been understood in two ways:

(1) It means “until.” God will keep on finishing what he has begun until the time when Christ returns. At that time his work will be complete. (Berean Standard Bible)

(2) It means “at” or “on.” God will complete his work on the day that Christ returns. (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Compare a similar phrase in 1:10 and the notes there.

the day of Christ Jesus: This refers to the time Christ will come back. You could translate it as “when Christ Jesus returns to the earth.” This phrase occurs three times in Philippians (see also 1:10 and 2:16) and in several other New Testament passages.

Christ Jesus: There is a textual problem with this part of the verse. Different Greek manuscripts say different things. The two possible readings are:

(1) Some versions have Christ Jesus (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible)

(2) Some versions have “Jesus Christ”. (Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

The meaning is the same, but the reading Christ Jesus has the best manuscript support and it is recommended that you follow it (1).

General Comment on 1:6

It may be necessary in some languages to put the words of this verse in a different order. For example:

God has begun a good work in you, and I am confident that he will keep on completing it until the day of Christ Jesus.
-or-
I am sure that God will keep on doing this good work that he has started in you until Christ Jesus returns. Then it will be complete.

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