Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” This verse teaches an important truth about God’s sovereignty in the life of the believer. Let’s break it down phrase by phrase:
“He who began a good work in you”
This refers to God beginning His saving work in the life of the believer. When someone comes to faith in Christ, it is ultimately because God has drawn them, opened their eyes, and changed their heart (John 6:44, Acts 16:14, Ezekiel 36:26). Salvation is a work of God from start to finish. He initiates and enables the response of faith.
“Will bring it to completion”
God promises to finish what He started. Having begun the “good work” of salvation in the believer, God pledges to continue that work until it is finally complete. This refers to the Christian’s ultimate sanctification, glorification and final salvation from sin (Romans 8:30, Philippians 3:20-21).
“At the day of Jesus Christ”
This good work will reach its completion when Jesus returns. At the Second Coming, believers will finally be made fully righteous in mind, spirit, and body. What God started at regeneration, He will one day bring to culmination at glorification (1 John 3:2).
Core Truths
So in summary, Philippians 1:6 teaches several core truths about salvation:
- Salvation is completely a work of God
- God promises to finish what He started
- The completion of salvation will occur at Christ’s return
- There is great assurance for the believer in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness
God’s Sovereignty in Our Salvation
This verse highlights the comprehensive nature of God’s sovereignty in our salvation. From beginning to end, from the first moment of faith to our final glorification, salvation is all of God and by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). We contribute nothing to begin the work, and we cannot complete it in our own strength. As Paul says elsewhere, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
The doctrines of election and God’s predestining work undergird Philippians 1:6. Unless God chose to set His love upon us and draw us to Himself, none of us would come to Christ (John 6:44, Acts 13:48, Ephesians 1:4-5). He began the good work in us by giving us spiritual life when we were dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-5). Without His gracious intervention, we could neither understand the gospel nor embrace it by faith. Salvation is His work from start to finish.
The Security of Our Salvation
Philippians 1:6 also offers great assurance of our salvation’s security. God promises to finish what He started. Having regenerated us and brought us to saving faith, He pledges to continue sanctifying us and preserving us for eternity. Jesus assured that no one can snatch His sheep from His hand (John 10:28-29). Once saved, always saved. The finished work of Christ guarantees it. Our security rests on God’s faithfulness, not our own. He will complete our salvation infallibly because it depends wholly on Him.
The Goal of Our Salvation
Ultimately, the aim of God’s saving work in us is our final sanctification and glorification. At Christ’s return, our bodies will be transformed and made fully righteous. Sin and unbelief will be abolished from our nature. We will worship and serve God perfectly for eternity in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-5). God finishes what He started by making us fully like Christ (1 John 3:2).
When tempted to despair over your growth, take heart that God directs your sanctification. He began your salvation and promises to complete it. Cooperate by His grace, but know that your perfection rests on Christ’s work, not yours. One day God will finish the good work when faith becomes sight at Jesus’ coming.
Practical Applications
How should the truths of Philippians 1:6 shape our thinking and living?
- Praise and thank God that your salvation depends wholly on His grace, not your works.
- Find assurance that if God began a work in you, He will continue it and one day perfect it.
- Rejoice that you are eternally secure in Christ because God always finishes what He started.
- Strive in hope knowing that the process of being made holy will culminate at Christ’s return.
- Take comfort that even your failures along the way cannot overturn God’s faithfulness to complete you.
In Christ Alone
Philippians 1:6 highlights that confidence for our salvation rests not in ourselves but in Christ alone. God began the work, God maintains the work, and God will complete the work. As Charles Spurgeon said, “He that hath begun will carry on the work which He hath commenced, for His promise never can be broken.” We were saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Soli Deo Gloria!