Philippians 1:25-26 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26in order that your boast in me may increase in Christ Jesus through my coming again to you.

This is a statement of hope from Paul after he reflects on his desire to remain alive for the sake of the Philippians. His use of convinced and I know show anticipation of continued contact and opportunity to pray for one another and even for him to be released and to visit Philippi again. There is no way to know historically if this ever worked out. If this was his Roman imprisonment, then it is unlikely he was released and ever able to visit the Philippians again. Not always do our dreams and plans work out as we hope, and Paul probably experienced that many times in his various imprisonments. His confidence was not in his own plans but in his deeper hope that his continued life could somehow have a positive impact on the Philippians’ progress and joy in the faith. He hoped to see their spiritual growth. This was not a matter of his input into their lives but the work of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s motive in staying alive was the hope to visit the Philippians again and see their growth in Christ Jesus. Their relationship with Christ would impact Paul’s life as someone bonded with Christ and with them through the Holy Spirit. Verse 26 expresses the unique unity believers have with one another, no matter where they are in the world. If we are united with Christ, we are united with other believers around the world. Paul’s hope is that the prayers of the Philippians would be answered and he would be freed and able to visit them again. Hope can be a powerful motive for our prayers. Our hope is the outcome of our bond with Christ through faith. That is why the Holy Spirit is the one who grows up within us because the Spirit is the one who joins us with Christ.

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