FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST

Passage: Philippians 1:18-26

Key verse: 21

NIV

18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers(A) and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ(B) what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[a](C) 20 I eagerly expect(D) and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage(E) so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,(F) whether by life or by death.(G) 21 For to me, to live is Christ(H) and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart(I) and be with Christ,(J) which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 1:19 Or vindication; or salvation
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that (A)through your prayers and (B)the help of (C)the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope (D)that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full (E)courage now as always Christ (F)will be honored in my body, (G)whether by life or by death. 21 For to me (H)to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 (I)I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is (J)to depart and (K)be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 (L)Convinced of this, (M)I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your (N)progress and (O)joy in the faith, 26 so that in me (P)you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Facing the future with courage (18b-2

)

Paul's one clear life purpose was to exalt Jesus Christ. He rejoiced that many believers all over the world were praying for him, and so he was confident of his release--one way or another. He would either be released by death to go to heaven, or he would be released alive to continue preaching the gospel. He only asked for sufficient courage to glorify Jesus in life or in death.

2. To die is gain (21-26)

Paul was ready to live and he was ready to die. He did not fear death, because death was graduation into heaven to be with Jesus forever. He said, 'I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.' But he still had work to do for Jesus, so he was confident that he would not die yet. He believed that he would again be with his beloved brothers in Philippi.

Prayer: Lord, take away all fear of death and help me to live for Jesus. Help me to exalt Christ by my life and by my death.

One Word: To live is Christ; to die is gain