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To Live Is Christ

Philippians 1:21-30

Good News Translation (GNT)

21  For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then, will bring
   more.
22  But if by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work,
   then I am not sure which I should choose.
23  I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave
   this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing;
24  but for your sake it is much more important that I remain
   alive.
25  I am sure of this, and so I know that I will stay. I will stay
   on with you all, to add to your progress and joy in the faith,
26  so that when I am with you again, you will have even more
   reason to be proud of me in your life in union with
   Christ Jesus.
27  Now, the important thing is that your way of life should be
   as the gospel of Christ requires, so that, whether or not
   I am able to go and see you, I will hear that you are
   standing firm with one common purpose and that with only
   one desire you are fighting together for the faith of the
   gospel.
28  Don't be afraid of your enemies; always be courageous,
   and this will prove to them that they will lose and that you
   will win, because it is God who gives you the victory.
29  For you have been given the privilege of serving Christ,
   not only by believing in him, but also by suffering for him.
30  Now you can take part with me in the battle. It is the same
   battle you saw me fighting in the past, and as you hear,
   the one I am fighting still.

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Commentary taken from 'word-on-the-web' supplied by
Scripture Union

What to choose?

Most of us, if given the option of life or death, would choose life.

Under house arrest, Paul was awaiting trial before Caesar. Would he choose death by refusing to defend himself in court? Many people in the ancient world, including Socrates, brought death on themselves in this way.

Above all, Jesus, his Lord, refused to answer charges before Pilate and Herod.

Many early martyrs chose death during their trial, imitating their Lord.

Paul's apparently decides to defend himself as he had done previously in Jerusalem before the military tribune and in Caesarea, first before Felix and then Agrippa.

The church in Philippi was experiencing opposition and Paul dearly wanted to make one more visit so he might facilitate their 'progress and joy in the faith'.

Paul ponders his imminent trial and what its outcome might be. A death sentence seems a real possibility, so what are his thoughts about the outcome?

To live is where everything in his life is about and for Jesus, or 'to die is gain', meaning freedom from earthly troubles and being in the Christ's presence.

For Paul to live is much better for the Philippians. The world often tells that we should choose what benefits us.

God's biggest choice was to give his Son for us; Jesus' biggest choice was to sacrifice his life for us; Paul's choice was to go on living for the Philippians' sake. All these choices benefited others.

Paul now gives them ethical instructions. The Greek term 'to conduct yourselves' has a political tone, referring to one's life as a citizen.

Philippi was a Roman colony and its citizens were proud of their rights and privileges. Paul spells out that such a life includes steadfastness, unity and courage.

The imagery in the phrase 'contending as one man' (NIV, 1984) (standing firm ) can refer to gladiators fighting side by side in life-or-death situations in the arena, or to soldiers fighting wars in closed ranks.

The instruction not to be divided but to show a united front is a matter of life or death for Paul.

If we grasp this, there will be less division, discord and disagreement in some of our churches. This is because God's society (of which Christians are part) and the world's societies (of which Christians are also part) often have conflicting values and attitudes.

For Paul, both faith and suffering for Jesus are privileges granted to the Christian by God..

Other versions are available here

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