Verse 23
23. In a strait I am held fast by the two: namely, to live or to die. With their powerful motives, they are as if two mighty opposite forces were crowding upon him. His personal desire leans toward departing. The word for depart means to loose, as a ship lets go its fastenings to the shore.
Such is the Christian idea of dying.
With Christ The apostle certainly believed that in death his soul would leave his body, and immediately be with Christ, for only so could death be gain. The soul is not, then, annihilated in the death of the body. See note on 1 Corinthians 15:14. It does not go with it into the grave, or lie in unconsciousness awaiting the resurrection, or float around in the air, but, like the dying thief, departs to paradise to be with Christ. See notes on Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4. It was in the disembodied state of both that the thief was in paradise with Christ. That the imparadised soul is now with Christ, though he be in the highest heaven, see note on 2 Corinthians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 12:4.
Far better He who has faithfully finished his earthly course and safely reached heaven, has won all. No wonder that the holy apostle felt the drawing away from the service here to the fellowship and the glory there.
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