In the opening paragraph of Philippians, Paul thanks God for the saints at Philippi and intercedes for them with joy. They are joined with Paul in the fellowship of the Gospel, both supporting his ministry and advancing the Gospel in their corporate worship and daily lives. Paul has every confidence that God, who has begun this good work in them, will continue that work until Christ returns at which time God’s people will be made perfect. Paul is stressing that salvation, from its inception to its completion, is the work of the Lord. Paul’s confidence is in the genuineness of God’s work in these saints, confirmed by the evidence of their participation in God’s grace.