Paul expresses his goal of going on to completion, a process that will culminate in bodily resurrection when Jesus arrives in glory.

Paul instructed the congregation of Philippi to go on to “completion” in Jesus. Bodily resurrection must take place for the consummation of this process and the completion of our salvation. This will occur when Jesus appears “on the clouds of Heaven.” God will continue to perform what He began with our conversion until “the Day of Christ.” Salvation is a process throughout our lives.

In the opening thanksgiving of his letter to the Philippians, Paul prepares his readers for a key theme of his letter – going on to “perfection” in Jesus. The promised bodily resurrection is necessary for their “completion.” It is not optional. Instead, it is an integral part of the future salvation they will receive when Jesus arrives in glory.

What God began in the Philippians He will continue to perform until the day that Jesus “arrives” – at “the day of Christ.”