Philippians 1:11

Fruits of righteousness. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “fruit of righteousness.” Jesus’ standard for testing the character is, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (see on Matthew 7:15-20). God expects more than mere blamelessness; He looks for positive fruitfulness. Righteousness is not simply the absence of sin, but the presence of the righteous character of Christ in the life of the believer (see on Matthew 5:6, 20). All the preceding steps in their experience, for which Paul was praying, would lead the Philippian believers to a demonstration of the actions of the true Christian. They were to be filled with these fruits. Not a branch here and there, but all our branches are to be loaded with good fruit.

By Jesus Christ. Paul hastens to remind the Philippians that any righteousness they might possess and any good works they might do, could be theirs only through Jesus Christ (cf. on John 15:1-5; Romans 4:5). Christian fruit bearing depends on the believer’s connection with Christ. The fruit of the life that abides in Jesus is the same as the fruit of Christ’s own life.

Unto the glory. God’s honor is best promoted by the holy lives of His children (see on John 15:8; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 1:12; 1 Peter 2:12).