Being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
All Commentaries on Philippians 1:6 Go To Philippians 1
John Chrysostom
AD 407
See how he also teaches them to be unassuming. For since he had witnessed a great thing of them, that they may not feel as men are apt to do, he presently teaches them to refer both the past and the future to Christ. How? By saying, not, Being confident that as you began you will also finish, but what? He which began a good work in you will perfect it. He did not rob them of the achievement, (for he said, I rejoice for your fellowship, clearly as if making it their act,) nor did he call their good deeds solely their own, but primarily of God. For I am confident, says he, that He which began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. That is, God will. And it is not about yourselves, he implies, but about those descending from you that I feel thus. And indeed it is no small praise, that God should work in one. For if He is no respecter of persons, as indeed He is none, but is looking to our purpose when He aids us in good deeds, it is evident that we are agents in drawing Him to us; so that even in this view he did not rob them of their praise. Since if His in working were indiscriminate, there would have been nothing to hinder but that even Heathens and all men might have Him working in them, that is, if He moved us like logs and stones, and required not our part. So that in saying God will perfect it, this also again is made their praise, who have drawn to them the grace of God, so that He aids them in going beyond human nature. And in another way also a praise, as that such are your good deeds that they cannot be of man, but require the divine impulse. But if God will perfect, then neither shall there be much labor, but it is right to be of good courage, for that they shall easily accomplish all, as being assisted by Him.
