ANALYSIS OF PHILIPPIANS 1:21 – Part 2

This is a continuation of the analysis of Philippians 1:21 that was started in the previous post. Today, we look at the context after this verse as well as how we can apply this verse to our current lives.

---

Commentary Analysis on Verse 21

Having established that Christ was the essence of Paul’s life and his main purpose in living was to glorify Christ, verse 21 reveals that Paul knew that even if he was martyred, Christ would be glorified through the promotion of the gospel which would result from his testimony in death.[1] The Bible Knowledge Commentary furthers this thought by showing that the words “to die” suggest the act of dying, not the state of death.[2] Thus, Paul knew he would even benefit in his death because he would be with Christ (v. 23).

Wiersbe, in The Bible Exposition Commentary, agrees that Paul is facing a difficult decision. Paul remaining alive was necessary for the believers’ benefit in Philippi, but to depart (v. 23) and be with Christ was far better.[3] “Departure” was a word used by the farmers; it meant “to unyoke the oxen.”[4] As Paul had taken the easy yoke of Christ (Matt 11:28-30), his departure to be with Christ would mean laying aside the burdens and his earthly work would be complete. Paul believed that Christ called him to remain for the “furtherance of the Gospel” (Phil 1:12) and also for the “furtherance and joy of [their] faith” (Phil 1:25).

The statement “to live is Christ” is magnified by the statement to “die is gain.”[5] In this context Paul spoke of glorifying Christ through whatever means he had, as this section of 1:21-24 explains the commitment of Paul in the previous verses (v. 18-20).[6] The statement is completed by envisioning death as a better state than life. Thus, “to live is Christ” must mean that Paul so totally wanted to glorify Christ that as long as he lived, everything about him was to point people to Christ. Melick, like other commentators, points out that even if Paul was called to die, it would be an occasion for Christ to become prominent; and death for Paul meant being with the Lord and no longer enduring the difficulties of this earth.[7]

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary provides further agreement on this statement. In death, Paul would experience great gain because he would be with Christ (v. 23). Paul was confident that God would use his death to further His kingdom because of how God had already furthered the gospel through his imprisonment.[8]

Paul was bound to Christ not only in life but also in death. This verse cannot be “to me Christ is gain in life and in death” because it dilutes Paul’s emphasis and the advantages of death.[9] The lack of symmetry in verse 21 is itself what lends special force to the statement because Paul’s life finds meaning in Christ and his death entails the advantage of being with Christ.[10]

Commentary Analysis Following Verse 21

Philippians 1:22-24 provides insight into Paul’s frustration and distress over this choice (v. 22) because he saw the advantages of both life and death. This section describes not only Paul’s dilemma but also his resolution to it, which is emphasized by the literary pattern that he uses.[11] Paul knew there would certainly be fruit from his labor if he were to go on living (v. 22) and God would continue to use him as He had in the past. He also knew that for the Philippians it was more necessary that he stay alive (v. 24). If Paul continued to live, he would have the opportunity to preach the gospel and would experience the fruit of his labor (v. 22).[12] This section not only reveals Paul’s love for Christ, but also his concern for others (v. 24, 26).

Yet, his personal desire was to depart and be with Christ (v. 23) because he knew death would be better by far. In using the phrase “to depart,” Paul saw death not as the end of this life but as a time of moving from one home to another.[13] There was no real comparison between life and death for Paul because death was “very much better” (v. 23).[14] But if Paul had a choice between living or dying for Christ, he was at a loss as to how to decide.[15] While he knew the choice was not up to him, he simply did not know which to choose and what would bring God the most glory. While Paul would reap the fruit of his labor by remaining in the flesh, Paul saw the rewards or “gain” that awaited him at death.

Personal Ownership

Picking up the final words of verse 20, Paul avows that since Christ is the singular passion of his life, he wins either way, whether released or executed. Christ was Paul’s life and Christ is what excited him and made his life worth living. This verse offers the reader a valuable lesson and test for their own life. Since Paul’s life was Christ and death was gain, what are those things in a believer’s life that takes them away from the everlasting joy of Christ? The test goes “For to me, to live is ___ and to die is ___.” What are those blanks in a person’s life? It may be money, fame, power, or any other counterfeit god that excites a person and brings “life” to them. Believers must echo Paul’s convictions that “to live is Christ,” if they are to have joy in spite of circumstances and share in furthering the Gospel.[16] Paul gave Christians an example to follow in living every day and every moment to magnify and glorify Christ in all they do. This is what this verse and phrase means to me. While a believer gains more than they could possibly imagine by finally being with Christ, they are still to live in this world, fulfilling the purpose God called them to, and doing it all for Christ, including during the trials and tribulations of this life.

Paul acknowledges feeling a tension between personal desire and Christian duty. The reader can feel the psychological ordeal this was for Paul. However, Paul knows that his deliverance is not in his control. Paul is able to say that even through death he will not be ashamed of anything. He can say this because his singular purpose is the glory of Christ and if he dies, he is rewarded with the advantages of being with Christ (v. 19-23). Paul also knows that he can still impact the lives of the Philippians and knows he will be joined to them again (v. 19-26).

“To live is Christ” means that believers proclaim the gospel of Christ and imitate His example. Everything that Jesus said and did is exactly what Paul wanted to say and do, and the church has benefitted greatly from his example (1 Cor 11:1). “To live is Christ” means that a believer is willing to give up anything that prevents them from having Christ. Everything was a loss compared to the riches of knowing Christ and the gain of being found in Him (Phil 3:7-9). Mark 10:29-30 points to the sacrifices of believers for the sake of Jesus being repaid a hundredfold. “To live is Christ” means that just like Jesus was Paul’s singular focus and desire, so Jesus is a believer’s singular focus, goal, and greatest desire. Just like Paul, we do everything for the glory of Christ whether that is life or death.

Conclusion

No matter what it took or what it cost, Paul was committed to honoring Christ in everything. Paul’s commitment to Christ, his confession of Jesus, and his understanding of the power of God to sustain the believer demanded no less than giving his all for Jesus.[17] Paul had joy because he was not afraid of life or death, but regardless of what happened, he wanted to magnify Christ in his body. Philippians 1:21 demonstrates that Christ was the source of meaning and desire for Paul. While Paul knew that he ultimately had no choice in this dilemma, his ultimate goal remained that whatever happened he wanted to glorify Christ. Paul was confident that God would do whatever was best to bring Him glory. Paul knew that either way, he would be rewarded, whether that was seeing the fruits of his labor with the Philippians or the ultimate reward of being with Christ and removed from the pain and suffering of this world. “To live is Christ” for Paul meant that whatever life, time, and strength he had was all for Christ. Christ was the sole object for which he lived (Gal 2:20). Paul sets the example for believers to follow in that their sole purpose of living should not be worldly things, but the glory of Christ in everything they do.

Bibliography

Anders, Max. “Galatians-Colossians.” In Holman New Testament Commentary, vol. 8, Philippians. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Logos Bible Software.

Lightner, Robert P. “Philippians.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by John. F. Walvoord and Roy. B. Zuck, vol. 2, 646-666. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985.

Melick, Richard R. “Philippians, Colossians, Philemon.” In The New American Commentary, vol. 32. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: Nelson, 1999.

Silva, Moises. “Philippians.” In Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, vol. 11, 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005.

Wiersbe, Warren. The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1996.

---

[1] Lightner, “Philippians,” 651.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1996), 69.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Melick, “Philippians, Colossians, Philemon,” 84.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid, 85.

[8] Radmacher, Allen, House, Commentary, 1548.

[9] Moises Silva, “Philippians,” in Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, vol. 11, 2nd ed (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005), 74.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Melick, “Philippians, Colossians, Philemon,” 85.

[12] Radmacher, Allen, House, Commentary, 1548.

[13] Ibid.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Lightner, “Philippians,” 651.

[16] Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, 70.

[17] Melick, “Philippians, Colossians, Philemon,” 84.