Philippians 1:21 KJV

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 1:21

For to me to live is Christ ,.... Christ was his life "efficiently", the efficient cause and author of his spiritual life; he spoke it into him, produced it in him, and disciplined him with it: and he was his life, objectively, the matter and object of his life, that on which he lived; yea, it was not so much he that lived, as Christ that lived in him; he lived by faith on Christ, and his spiritual life was maintained and supported by feeding on him as the bread of life: and he was his life,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:21

For to me to live is Christ - Whether I live or die, Christ is gain to me. While I live I am Christ's property and servant, and Christ is my portion; if I die - if I be called to witness the truth at the expense of my life, this will be gain; I shall be saved from the remaining troubles and difficulties in life, and be put immediately in possession of my heavenly inheritance. As, therefore, it respects myself, it is a matter of perfect indifference to me whether I be taken off by a violent... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:21

Verse 21 21For to me to live. Interpreters have hitherto, in my opinion, given a wrong rendering and exposition to this passage; for they make this distinction, that Christ was life to Paul, and death was gain. I, on the other hand, make Christ the subject of discourse in both clauses, so that he is declared to be gain in him both in life and in death; for it is customary with the Greeks to leave the word πρός to be understood. Besides that this meaning is less forced, it also corresponds... 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

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain . Others, as Calvin, render (not so well), "For to me Christ is gain both in life and in death." The alternative suggested in Philippians 1:20 leads St. Paul to a short digression on the comparative advantages of life and death; he is content with either. Life is blessed, for it is Christ; comp. Colossians 2:4 , "Christ, who is our Life," and Galatians it. 20, "Not I, but Christ liveth in me;" " Quit-quid rive, Christum vivo " (Bengel).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:21

The grand alternatives. "To me to live is Christ, to die is gain." This elucidates as well as confirms his previous statement. I. HIS NATURAL LIFE FINDS ITS SUPREME OBJECT IN CHRIST . The apostle does not here assert that Christ is his spiritual life, for the reference is strictly limited to his "life in the flesh." That life is supremely devoted to Christ. 1 . In all its thoughts. There never was a man whose intellectual life was so wrapped up in his Savior;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:21

An ideal life blooming into a happy death. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Paul, having expressed in the close of the preceding verse his supreme resolve that Christ should be magnified in his body, whether it be by life or by death, here describes the life he was determined to live, and the death which he was certain to realize. The subject of these words is—An ideal life blooming into a happy death. Here is— I. AN IDEAL LIFE . "For to me to live is Christ."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:21

The gain of death. I. Two MOODS IN WHICH PEOPLE FEEL THAT TO DIE IS GAIN . 1. The wrong wood , but the more usual one. W hen it is an expression of weariness and a desire to escape from suffering, responsibility, labor, temptation. This desire is a selfish one, and may mean no more than that he who expresses it is living for himself. 2 . The right mood. When "to live is Christ." This is the mood in which St. Paul speaks. Christ had so taken possession of... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:12-30

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:21

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