And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
'And being confident of this'-namely, that my abiding in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
I know ... - by intimations of the Spirit. Ellicott quotes Acts 20:25 for interpreting "I know," as merely it is my present feeling; not any prophetic certitude. But cf. Phil. 1:38 there. He did not know the issue, as far as human appearances were concerned (Philippians 2:23). He doubtless returned from his first captivity to Philippi (Hebrews 13:19; Philemon 1:22).
Joy of faith, х charan (G5479) tees (G3588) pisteoos (G4102)] - joy springing from the faith. 'Joy' is that active emanation of love and thankfulness that forms a spiritual equipoise to 'peace' and 'patience' (Ellicott).