“For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;”
Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now — koinōnia (partnership/communion) is not mere association but shared participation in Christ's work and suffering. 'From the first day' recalls their conversion and immediate alignment with Paul's mission, establishing a long-standing relationship of mutuality. The present tense 'until now' suggests unbroken continuity despite Paul's chains and the distance between Rome and Philippi. This partnership is the foundation for all that follows.
Church Fathers on Philippians 1:5
“For your fellowship in furtherance of the Gospel from the first day even until now.” Great is that he here witnesses of them, and very great, and what one might have witnessed of Apostles and Evangelists. You did not, because you were entrusted with one city, he says, care for that only, but you leave nothing undone to be sharers of my labors, being everywhere at hand and working with me, and taking part in my preaching. It is not once, or the second, or third time, but…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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