the willingness to make a pecuniary contribution, all these had never ceased. The Philippians had not lost their first love (contrast Rev. 2:4) during this entire decade. 6. Paul thanks God for this, for it was God who had grafted his own image in the hearts of the Philippians. Hence, to the immediate reason for the thanksgiving the apostle now adds the ultimate reason: being confident of this very thing that32 he who began a good work in you will carry it on toward completion. Note how closely