Philippians 1:19

This. That is, Paul’s present circumstances and the attitudes of the believers.

To my salvation. Opinion is divided as to whether this refers to Paul’s hoped-for deliverance from prison or to his final redemption. The apostle may have had both experiences in mind, but v. 20 suggests that his deepest concern is with spiritual salvation rather than with release from prison. He realized that all God’s dealings with His people are intended as a discipline to ripen holy character in preparation for eternal life (AA 524). The opposition of his enemies would stir Paul to greater activity and earnestness, and so foster his spiritual well-being.

Affliction, in itself, has no sanctifying power. It may embitter, harden, deaden the soul. On the other hand, it may become an instrument to chasten, deepen, and purify the Christian’s spiritual experience (see Hebrews 12:7-11). Our salvation will be affected by the way in which we avail ourselves of the potential benefits of affliction. If we resist and fight against the method of education and the teacher, the affliction will need to be prolonged or another sent to take its place. We should earnestly pray to learn spiritual lessons quickly, that we may move on from one phase of spiritual development to the next.

Your prayer. The first of two agencies which, cooperating with Paul’s immediate circumstances, aid his salvation. The Spirit of Jesus Christ is the second agency. The apostle attached great value to the intercessory prayers of his friends (see Romans 15:30, 31; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Philemon 22). Here he is not asking that the Philippians pray for him: he assumes that they are already praying for him, even as he prayed for them (Philippians 1:4). Would that all pastors could assume as much! There are certain responsibilities of which we may sometimes be relieved, but not so with prayers of intercession. The leaders of God’s people, Christian workers throughout the world, and individual church members need the prayers of one another, especially in the difficult times that he ahead.

Supply. Gr. epichoregia, “support,” “help.” Paul thought of the Spirit of Jesus, together with the prayers of friends, as working with local conditions for his ultimate salvation.

Spirit of Jesus Christ. This particular expression does not occur elsewhere in the NT, although the form “Spirit of Christ” is found in Romans 8:9; 1 Peter 1:11, and “Spirit of his Son” in Galatians 4:6. The words may be interpreted as referring to the disposition that actuated Jesus, which, operating in Paul, would contribute to his salvation. The more generally accepted interpretation sees a direct reference to the Holy Spirit (cf. on Romans 8:9). Neither Paul’s trials nor the prayers of his fellow believers could serve any useful purpose except as the Spirit of Christ filled his life to overflowing.