Philippians 1:19

Confidence In God's Power to Deliver

Even though he was in prison, Paul was confident God would deliver him (1 Peter 1:19). He may have meant he was confident God would set him free from prison. However, verse 20 makes that doubtful. More likely, he is expressing his confidence that God would work it all out for good. He might be delivered from prison to preach freely again, or he might be delivered from this life and get to be with Christ.

Paul's confidence was based, in part, on the prayers of the saints in his behalf. As the apostle told the brethren in Corinth, he had to learn not to trust in himself but "in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many" (2 Corinthians 1:9-11).

His confidence also rested in the "supply" or help of the Spirit. The idea behind the word "supply" is that of a help which undergirds and strengthens. During his second imprisonment, when he had less hope of being released, Paul told Timothy, "And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen" (2 Timothy 4:18)! Such thinking would surely support one through the most difficult of times.