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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 1:21-26

We have here an account of the life and death of blessed Paul: his life was Christ, and his death was gain. Observe, 1. It is the undoubted character of every good Christian that to him to live is Christ. The glory of Christ ought to be the end of our life, the grace of Christ the principle of our life, and the word of Christ the rule of it. The Christian life is derived from Christ, and directed to him. He is the principle, rule, and end of it. 2. All those to whom to live is Christ to them... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 1:21-26

1:21-26 For living is Christ to me, and death is gain. And yet--what if the continuance of my life in the flesh would produce more fruit for me? What I am to choose is not mine to declare. I am caught between two desires, for I have my desire to strike camp and to be with Christ, which is far better; but for your sake it is more essential for me to remain in this life. And I am confidently certain of this, that I will remain, and I will be with you and beside you all to help you along the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:25

And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide ,.... In the flesh, in the body, live a little longer in the world. These words must be understood either of a certain infallible knowledge, arising from a divine revelation, and a firm persuasion and confidence founded upon that which the apostle had, of his being delivered from his bonds, and spared a little longer for further usefulness among the churches; and accordingly some have thought that he was after this set at liberty, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:26

That your rejoicing may be more abundant ,.... They had rejoiced greatly on his account already, blessing God that ever they had seen his face, or heard his voice; as they had great reason to do, he being the happy instrument of first bringing the Gospel to them, and of their conversion; and now he hoped he should be delivered out of prison, and see them again, that their joy might be increased and abound yet more and more, upon his deliverance, they had so earnestly prayed and so much... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:25

Having this confidence, I know that I shall abide - Convinced that it is necessary that I should live longer, for the spreading and defense of the Gospel, I am persuaded that I shall now be liberated. This was in fact the case, for, after having been two years in bonds at Rome, he was released. For your furtherance - In the way of righteousness. And joy of faith - And happiness in that way. The farther a man proceeds in the way of truth, the stronger his faith will be; and the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:26

That your rejoicing may be more abundant - Men rejoice more in recovering a thing that was lost, than they do in a continual possession of what is of much greater value. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:25

Verse 25 25And having this confidence. Some, reckoning it an inconsistent thing that the Apostle (82) should acknowledge himself to have been disappointed of his expectation, are of opinion that he was afterwards freed from bonds, and went over many countries of the world. Their fears, however, as to this are groundless, for the saints are accustomed to regulate their expectations according to the word of God, so as not to promise themselves more than God has promised. Thus, when they have a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:26

Verse 26 26That your glorying. The expression which he employs, ἐν ἐμόι, I have rendered de me (as to me,) because the preposition is made use of twice, but in different senses. No one assuredly will deny that I have faithfully brought out Paul’s mind. The rendering given by some — per Christum , (through Christ,) I do not approve of. For in Christ is employed in place of Secundum Christum , (According to Christ,) or Christiane , (Christianly,) to intimate that it was a holy kind of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:12-30

Thoughts suggested by his captivity. I. PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL IN ROME . 1 . Generally. "Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel." It might have been expected that his imprisonment, which is principally referred to, would have fallen out to the hindrance of the gospel. But Paul would have his Philippian brethren know, for their comfort and confirmation, that, though to some extent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:21-26

The great alternative, life or death. I. ST . PAUL IS PREPARED FOR EITHER ; "for," he says, "to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 1 . Christ was his life . Christ was magnified, not in his body only, in his labors and suffering, but in his spirit. The presence of Christ filled his whole conscious existence; communion with Christ was to him the very breath of life. Life was worth having only so far as the life of Christ was realized in the apostle's life. The... read more

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