Philippians 1:21-23 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:22

But if I live in the flesh ,.... To be in the flesh sometimes signifies to be in a state of nature and unregeneracy, and to live in and after the flesh, to live according to the dictates of corrupt nature; but here it signifies living in the body, or the life which is in the flesh, as the Syriac version renders the phrase here, and as the apostle expresses it in Galatians 2:20 , and the sense is, if I should live any longer in the body, and be continued for some time in this world: this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:23

For I am in a strait betwixt two ,.... Life and death; or between these "two counsels", as the Arabic version reads; two thoughts and desires of the mind, a desire to live for the reasons above, and a desire to die for a reason following. The apostle was pressed with a difficulty in his mind about this, as David was when he was bid to choose which he would, either seven years' famine, or three months' flight before his enemies, or three days' pestilence; upon which he said, I am in a great... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:22

But if I live in the flesh - Should I be spared longer, I shall labor for Christ as I have done; and this is the fruit of my labor, that Christ shall be magnified by my longer life, Phlippians 1:20 . Yet what I shall choose I wot not - Had I the two conditions left to my own choice, whether to die now and go to glory, or whether to live longer in persecutions and affliction, (glorifying Christ by spreading the Gospel), I could not tell which to prefer. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:23

For I am in a strait betwixt two - Viz. the dying now, and being immediately with God; or living longer to preach and spread the Gospel, and thus glorify Christ among men. Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ - Την επιθυμιαν εχων εις το αναλυσαι . It appears to be a metaphor taken from the commander of a vessel, in a foreign port, who feels a strong desire αναλυσαι , to set sail, and get to his own country and family; but this desire is counterbalanced by a conviction... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:22

Verse 22 22But if to live in the flesh. As persons in despair feel in perplexity as to whether they ought to prolong their life any farther in miseries, or to terminate their troubles by death, so Paul, on the other hand, says that he is, in a spirit of contentment, so well prepared for death or for life, because the condition of believers, both in the one case and in the other, is blessed, so that he is at a loss which to choose. If it is worth while; that is, “If I have reason to believe that... 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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:23

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:23

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:22

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