God’s Word for You

Philippians 1:25-26 reason to boast

by Pastor Timothy Smith on Sunday, March 1, 2026

25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that when I come to you again, my goal is to give you even more reason to boast in Christ Jesus.

My translation of verse 26 may surprise some; I am aware that many people grew up hearing this verse saying that it would be “joy” or “rejoicing” in Christ Jesus. But the word in verse 26 (καύχημα) is a noun meaning pride, or a boast, or a reason for or object of boasting. Paul uses this word quite a bit. “Take pride in” (Galatians 6:4); “have something to boast about” (Romans 4:2), “Your boasting is not good” (1 Corinthians 5:6). And later in this letter, “So that I may boast on the day of Christ” (Philippians 2:16). But it is not unusual for Paul to talk about both joy and pride in the same context. “I take great pride in you… my joy knows no bounds” (2 Corinthians 7:4). In these verses, the joy of the Philippians comes from their faith; their boasting is on account of Christ himself.

But what about Paul? Let’s take these two verses one at a time. First, the apostle is beginning to think that he is going to survive his imprisonment, and so he can say, “I will remain and keep on remaining (that is, continue) with all of you.” This will result in the Philippians making even more progress in their faith and sanctified living. This means that they will learn to love the word of God, prayer, and gathering for worship, more and more. They will actively seek out ways to serve God. Sometimes this will mean contributing to the needs of others and generous giving (Romans 12:8). Sometimes it will mean making sacrifices for the sake of their families. Other times it will mean pooling their resources for the sake of someone’s needs, or even sending off one of their young men to study with an apostle like Paul for a time. A century later, long after Paul’s death, the church father Polycarp of Smyrna wrote to the Philippian church and the grandchildren of these same Philippians: “As you have had opportunity, you have helped those who were bound in chains… I also rejoice because of your firmly rooted faith… knowing that it is by grace you have been saved, not by works, but by the will of God through Christ Jesus” (Polycarp 1:1-2, 3).

Paul says that when he comes to them, he wants to give them “even more reason to boast in Christ Jesus.” Does he mean because of his release from prison? Possibly. Their joyful boasting so far was all about what Paul had accomplished in the founding of their church, but to have God answer such urgent prayers as their prayers for his release would be miraculous. And yet he might mean even more than this. He could be talking about the other things that could be accomplished through his release, not only among them but among other Christians in other places. He had, for example, talked about visiting Spain (Romans 15:24,28), and they might have been thinking of the places he would see along the way where the gospel had not yet been taken: Corsica, Sardinia, the Balearic Islands. In north Africa there were cities like Carthage, Utica, Hippo, and Tingis in the far west. Across the sea to the north were places like New Carthage, Cadiz, and the white citadel of Lucentum.

Isaiah had foreseen this opportunity and perhaps Paul’s very work, writing: “Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands and all who live in them” (Isaiah 42:10). And again: “Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your sons from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor” (Isaiah 60:9). Although “ships of Tarshish” may have been just a term for large cargo ships, it was also a reference to the distant port of Tarshish (Cadiz) in Spain.

Yet Paul was also thinking of his preaching and teaching, and we can’t rule out the need for miracles performed by the apostles, although proclaiming the word of God was always foremost. The Christian cries out, “Preserve my life according to your word” (Psalm 119:25). We also pray that God will encourage our hearts, and strengthen us in every good deed and every good word.

In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith

 

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