Thomas Aquinas Commentary Philippians 1:25-30

"And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith; that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again. Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you and be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God; because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf: having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me." — Philippians 1:25-30 (ASV)

Having stated the doubt and the reason for both sides, the Apostle then resolves it. First, as if choosing one side, he predicts the result of his plan to visit them. Second, he shows what is required on their part . Regarding the first point, he does three things: he mentions his upcoming visit, shows its fruit, and then explains this fruit.

He says, therefore, that after stating it is necessary for him to remain in the flesh for their sake—because his life is fruitful for them—he is convinced in God that he will remain. As Scripture says, The righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1). He declares that he will remain and continue, that is, he will live and continue to live.

But on the other hand, one might note that he was soon killed by Nero. I answer that this letter was written in the first year of his imprisonment, which was also the first year of Nero’s reign. Therefore, he lived for seven years after this.

He will remain “with you all,” that is, for the benefit of all of you, for as he says elsewhere, I do not seek my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved (1 Corinthians 10:33). This is for your progress, so that through his exhortation you may advance in the faith. You rejoice in his life, which you have heard about, but you would rejoice more if he were present, for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you (Romans 1:11).

He then explains this further, saying his return is so that in me you may have ample cause to glory. This means that if he is granted permission to come to them again, it will be so that their joy may abound, for God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be glory in the church (Ephesians 3:20). This glorying is “in Christ Jesus,” because their joy in Paul was for Christ’s sake, as he says, I want some benefit from you in the Lord! (Philemon 1:20).

Then, when he says, Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, he shows what is required on their part. He says the only thing required of them is to live in a manner that conforms to the gospel. As he says elsewhere, We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:12), and, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him (Colossians 1:10). This is his joy: No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth (3 John 4).

Specifically, he desires two things from them: unity and constancy. Three kinds of unity are required of the saints:

1. The unity of love. Therefore, he says that he wants to hear that they stand firm in one spirit, through love: Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). And as it is written, He who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17).
2. The unity of concord. Therefore, he says, with one mind, that is, to have one will and one soul: Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul (Acts 4:32); [God makes men of one way to dwell in one house] (Psalms 67:7).
3. The unity of cooperation. Therefore, he says, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, that is, one helping the other. This is illustrated by what is stated in 1 Kings 25:1, where All Israel assembled and mourned for him, namely, Samuel. For as Proverbs 18:19 says, A brother helped is like a strong city.

Second, he expects constancy from them: and not frightened in anything by your opponents. He urges them to be brave because their opponents can do only as much as God allows. As the Lord said, But not a hair of your head will perish (Luke 21:18). Like the righteous man in Psalm 1:3, Its leaf does not wither. And as the prophet asks, Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass? (Isaiah 51:12).

The author gives three reasons for this courage:

1. The first is the fruit of their tribulation. He says not to be frightened because the persecution they endure is a clear sign of destruction for their persecutors, but for them, it is a cause of salvation. As Jesus said, Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Matthew 16:25), and, He who loves his life loses it (John 12:25). As Hosea says, I will destroy you, O Israel; who can help you? (Hosea 13:9). And this outcome is from God, who has granted them the ability to endure tribulation patiently.
2. The second reason is that it has been granted to them by grace not only to believe in Christ—which is the great and first gift (For by grace you have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8))—but also to suffer for his sake. This suffering is a greater gift, allowing them to act as Christ’s athletes. Therefore, they should act bravely, for this is both useful and honorable. As the apostles did, Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name (Acts 5:41).
3. The third reason is Paul’s own example, as he deals with them as the first fruits of the faith. He says they are engaged in the same conflict which you saw to be mine, and now hear to be mine. He is referring to when he was among them, stripped and beaten by the Philippians for freeing the girl with the spirit of divination (Acts 16), and the conflict they now hear he is enduring while in prison.