for I am persuaded of this, because the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion as far as the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6)
There will be a day of Christ when the consumption of our salvation will be made complete. Just like the earth groans and suffers for this day when creation itself will be set free from its decay, likewise the Spirit moans within us awaiting our salvation, the redemption of our body, the glorious freedom of the children of God (Romans 8:19-24). For in this hope we are saved Paul writes. There will be a day of Christ, so there is hope of our calling, the glory and inheritance among the saints. And there is a present living hope in Christ, an eternal hope and security that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to remain steadfast of faith and through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22)
Paul wrote this from experience. He was flogged once forty minus 1 lashes. Three times beaten with a rod. Three times shipwrecked. In one shipwreck he spent a night and day floating in the sea and another time when coming ashore he was bitten by a poisonous snake when gathering firewood to get warm. He writes of perils often, when traveling by land and sea, by robbers, by the heathen, and by the Jews of the flesh who persecuted him. Even perils among false brethren in the church. He suffered pain, hunger, thirst, going without food often in cold and nakedness (2nd Corinthians 11:24-31).
accordingly each day I die... (1 Corinthians 15:31)
I believe Paul is referring to himself when he writes he knew a man who fought wild animals in Ephesus, just like he said when he knew a man who had great revelation and ascended into heaven. Many early believers were thrown into the Roman gladiator arenas for sport (1 Corinthians 15:32). Once he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19-22). He was thrown in Prison five times and tradition has he was beheaded most likely the last time. Paul writes that he died daily (1 Corinthians 15:31). A dead man is dead to sin. We are to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11).
Through experiencing tribulations in the body, the spiritual revelations of Christ were made known to Paul. In fact, he writes because having great visions and revelations was the reason for the thorn in his flesh, and his struggle with pride because of his great revelations. The tribulations kept Paul humble and through humility God exalts men. Being great in the kingdom of God comes at a price but has great rewards. Paul writes through his death many would find life.
to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being formed together to his death (Philippians 3:10)
Paul writes that Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, redemption, and sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). We know that righteousness and redemption are a gift in Christ and so is our sanctification, so we do not boast in ourselves and become prideful and smug looking down on others. Some are called to suffer more so that through revelation and knowledge of Jesus these can impart experiential truth to others so they are strengthened and encouraged in the good fight of faith.
for I am persuaded of this, because the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion as far as the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6)
Through God's honorable and effective promises, we escape the corruption in this world, in sinful desires, existing in this body of death.* Therefore we have this sweet promise that what God has begun in you will be brought to completion or fullness. He has chosen you as his own, predestined, called, justified, and now glorifying. A guarantor of this promise is the sealing of the promised Holy Spirit, who keeps you until God takes possession of his own. Be persuaded of this promise, he will keep you and complete what he has begun in you. Often, in the tribulation, we find the experiential revelation of spiritual wisdom and truth, of God's precious and splendid promises. Though in this body we are imprisoned and experiencing death and troubles every day, such promises bring life, joy, and hope to the heart and strengthen and encourage our souls to remain steadfast in the way.