Philippians 1:21-26

21: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
22: But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
23: But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

24: yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
25: Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
26:so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

*** 

Paul had just said in verses 19-20 that he knew he would be delivered from prison through their prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus, and yet Christ would be exalted in his body whether by life or death. He further explained by saying that for him to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The life we live in the flesh, as Paul said in Galatians 2:20, is Christ living in us. We live by faith in Him. We come to a point in our Christian walk where we realize our life is not our own any longer, and that this is a good thing. To live is Christ, yet to die is gain. It is “far better” to be with Christ out of the flesh than in it. Yet either way we are with Christ, and that is what really matters.

So, Paul had somewhat of a dilemma, not knowing “which to choose.” If he died and went to be with Christ that would be much better for him. Yet to stay alive in the flesh, delivered from execution, would be far better for them, and more “fruitful labor” would come of his ministry. Having thought this through, he was convinced he would remain and continue with them for their progress and joy in the faith.

For Paul to be freed from prison and return to the Philippians, as well as any others he’d fathered in the faith, would be a cause for great rejoicing. Not just because of his physical return in the flesh, but to know that the Lord is able to deliver His people from any situation. However, note that the prayers of the saints were required in order for this to happen, as he said in verse 19 and in Philemon 22. For the kingdom of God, and the preaching of the gospel, to progress in the earth as God intends, His people must pray in all situations.



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