This great testimonial affirmation succinctly summarizes Paul"s philosophy of life. For him, regardless of the decision about whether he would continue to live or die or the opinions of other people, saved or lost, his whole life revolved around Jesus Christ. Paul placed "to me" first in this sentence for emphasis. Jesus" work on the cross had become the reason for all that Paul did. Appreciation for Christ motivated him. His present enablement through the Spirit was the source of his strength. The prospect of seeing Jesus Christ and standing before Him one day drew him and constituted the goal for all he did. Many people today, if they were honest, would have to say that for them to live is money, fame, happiness, family, or any of a multitude of idols. [1] However, Jesus Christ was the sun around which Paul"s life orbited. [source][source][source]
"Paul"s only reason for existence is that he may spend his life in that glad service; and death for that cause will be the crowning service." [2][source]
If the Emperor"s verdict were death, Paul would be better off than if he continued to live. He would go into the presence of his Lord and be free forever from sin, suffering, and sorrow. Furthermore he would have glorified God by persevering faithfully to the end of his life. The Christian can take a radically different view of death than the unbeliever who has no hope, as Paul did (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). [source][source][source]
"Paul"s hope for the future, centered as it was in Jesus, kept him from making too much of his current circumstances. This hope enabled him to reassess his circumstances, not by suppressing his emotions, evident throughout this letter, but by relating them to God"s sovereignty and to Jesus" centrality in life." [3][source]
Context Summary
Philippians 1:12-21 - "to Live Is Christ, And To Die Is Gain"
It was a matter of comparative indifference to Paul what happened to himself so long as the gospel progressed, because the extension of the gospel meant the growing glory of Jesus. He was quite content to be in bonds, if only by his chains he might gain access to new realms, hitherto untrodden, for proclaiming his Lord. He could even view with equanimity the envy and strife of some, if Jesus might be named to those who had never heard of Him, He was prepared to live or to die, that Jesus might be magnified. He was willing to remain for a little longer outside of heaven, if that would better serve the cause he loved. His main argument for consistency of life on the part of his converts was that the success of the gospel might not be impeded. It seemed good to suffer, if only it were on the behalf of Christ. Oh that we might experience a similar absorption in the great interests of the gospel!
It is clear from this paragraph that death is not an unconscious sleep. It is gain. It is a loosing from anchorage so that the soul may go forth on the broad ocean of God's love. It does not interrupt our conscious fellowship with the Lord. The moment of absence here is the moment of presence there. To die is therefore gain. [source]
Chapter Summary: Philippians 1
1Paul testifies his thankfulness to God, and his love toward the Philippians, 9daily praying for their increase in grace; 12he shows what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome; 21and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death; 27exhorting them to unity; 28and to fortitude in persecution
Greek Commentary for Philippians 1:21
For to me [εμοι γαρ] Fine example of the ethical dative. Paul gives his own view of living. [source]
To live is Christ [το ζηιν Χριστος] No copula Old word for any gain or profit, interest on money (so in papyri). In N.T. only here, Phlippians 3:7; Titus 1:11. To die (το αποτανειν to apothanein second aorist active infinitive, single act) is to cash in both principal and interest and so to have more of Christ than when living. So Paul faces death with independence and calm courage. [source]
Gain [κερδος] Old word for any gain or profit, interest on money (so in papyri). In N.T. only here, Phlippians 3:7; Titus 1:11. [source]
To die [το αποτανειν] (το αποτανειν to apothanein second aorist active infinitive, single act) is to cash in both principal and interest and so to have more of Christ than when living. So Paul faces death with independence and calm courage. [source]
To me [] Emphatic. Whatever life may be to others, to me, etc [source]
Gain [] As consummating the union with Christ. Compare Colossians 3:4; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.“Declare unto him if the light wherewithBlossoms your substance shall remain with you Eternally the same that it is now,-DIVIDER-
And if it do remain, say in what manner,-DIVIDER-
After ye are again made visible,-DIVIDER-
It can be that it injure not your sight. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
As by a greater gladness urged and drawn-DIVIDER-
They who are dancing in a ring sometimes-DIVIDER-
Uplift their voices and their motions quicken;-DIVIDER-
So, at that orison devout and prompt,-DIVIDER-
The holy circles a new joy displayed-DIVIDER-
In their revolving and their wondrous song. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Who so lamenteth him that here we die-DIVIDER-
That we may live above, has never there-DIVIDER-
Seen the refreshment of the eternal rain.”Dante, “Paradiso,” 14, 13-27. [source]
To live is Christ [τὸ ζῆν Χριστὸς] Lit, the living is Christ. Compare Galatians 2:20. He has no thought of life apart from Christ. [source]
What do the individual words in Philippians 1:21 mean?
Greek Commentary for Philippians 1:21
Fine example of the ethical dative. Paul gives his own view of living. [source]
No copula Old word for any gain or profit, interest on money (so in papyri). In N.T. only here, Phlippians 3:7; Titus 1:11. To die (το αποτανειν to apothanein second aorist active infinitive, single act) is to cash in both principal and interest and so to have more of Christ than when living. So Paul faces death with independence and calm courage. [source]
Old word for any gain or profit, interest on money (so in papyri). In N.T. only here, Phlippians 3:7; Titus 1:11. [source]
(το αποτανειν to apothanein second aorist active infinitive, single act) is to cash in both principal and interest and so to have more of Christ than when living. So Paul faces death with independence and calm courage. [source]
Emphatic. Whatever life may be to others, to me, etc [source]
As consummating the union with Christ. Compare Colossians 3:4; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.“Declare unto him if the light wherewithBlossoms your substance shall remain with you Eternally the same that it is now,-DIVIDER- And if it do remain, say in what manner,-DIVIDER- After ye are again made visible,-DIVIDER- It can be that it injure not your sight. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- As by a greater gladness urged and drawn-DIVIDER- They who are dancing in a ring sometimes-DIVIDER- Uplift their voices and their motions quicken;-DIVIDER- So, at that orison devout and prompt,-DIVIDER- The holy circles a new joy displayed-DIVIDER- In their revolving and their wondrous song. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Who so lamenteth him that here we die-DIVIDER- That we may live above, has never there-DIVIDER- Seen the refreshment of the eternal rain.”Dante, “Paradiso,” 14, 13-27. [source]
Lit, the living is Christ. Compare Galatians 2:20. He has no thought of life apart from Christ. [source]