Philippians 1:19–24

So what's Paul saying to those folks in Phillipi?

In life and death — Christ, our purpose, is exalted.

We’re reading from Philippians 1:19–24 , mines out of the NIV

Here is the text we’re looking at;

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d] 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ 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 and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Where on earth are we and whats been happening ?

So, you must know, that at this time in the early Christian church — Paul is in prison (crazy)— and he writes a letter to the Philippians. Oh, also, he is there for sharing the gospel. So, in this letter, Paul has shared with the Philippians his joy as they continue to faithfully partner with Paul in the work of the spreading of the gospel (Philippians 1:4–5: 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, and he has gone on to write that, irrespective of his physical chains and peoples various motives, the critical thing is that the gospel advances.(Philippians 1:18: 8 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.)

We begin looking at the next section on the back end of v18: “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 (because Christ is preached) I rejoice.”

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Now that we have some semblance of what Paul is going through and what he has been sharing, we can take a look at this piece of his letter.

in a nutshell; V 19–20 = Christ will be exalted in the lives of those who believe in him.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d] 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Pauls rejoicing is knowing that Christ is being preached (V18) and people are being won and emboldened for the gospel. He goes on in V19 & 20 to share how he is sure that through the Philippians prayers and the Spirit he will have courage to exalt Christ with his body — whether that is in death or in life. Not only does Paul know.. “v19… for I know” but he is expectant and hopeful that he will not dishonour Christ “v 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope…..

In v19 he also adds “this will turn out for my deliverance”. What is this? And deliverance from what? The “ESV says “this” and NIV: “what has happened” . Both are mentioning being in prison wihich is a reference to earlier in CHP 1, v12:b, where Paul refers to “what has happened” as his imprisonment.

That said “…this will turn out for my deliverance” can’t be literal or it would mean “for I know that being in prison will turn out to deliver me from prison”. Paul is not suggesting deliverance from physical bondage but a freedom from shame he would bare in prison, if Christ were not exalted. He expects that his time in prison will vindicate the gospel.

Further 19&20 shows Paul is certain that through the prayers and Christs Spirit, he will be delivered from shame — we see this referenced later “…that I would not be ashamed”.v20” that with full courage now as always Christ would be honoured in my body”. This is what Pauls main desire is. He wants Christ honoured & exalted, irrespective of whether that’s through him living or dying. It almost seems that life or death are circumstantial to him. The point is Christ’s exaltation and honour.

In a nutshell, V 21–24 = In physical life or in death Christ is our purpose

21 For to me, to live is Christ 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 and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

There is an air of exasperation in these verses.V21 could ask — What is life? Answer — It is Christ. What is death? Answer — It is a gain. Paul opens up v21 dissecting his comment in v 20 where he says “whether by life or death”. He is explaining to his readers what he thinks his own outcome will be (v24), while he waits in prison, and he tells the Philippians about his views on living or dying.

V21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” — At first, it seems Paul is showing a stark contrast here as he explains what it means for him to live or to die. When we see what Paul refers to, we see within both ideas, ultimately, both realities are totally focused on one person — Christ. “…to live is Christ” and “My desire is to depart (die) and be with Christ, for that is far better”…

Paul knows that living allows the opportunity of work “V23 If I am to live in the flesh that means fruitful labour for me”, in other words the continued advancement of the gospel which the brothers & sisters who so faithfully play a part in gospel work. This continued gospel advancement can happen if Paul lives on physically. Whereas in death, Paul is able to be with Christ — which is his desire — v 23 “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better”. This is his want, but it is trumped but the need of the Philippian believers. It’s a struggle for him to think through it — seen in v 23 “ I am torn between the two” . Its not an easy tension in himself and we go on to see in v24 a “but” as though he acknowledges “But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account” — here we see him mention that is more needed for him to stay with the Philippians in the flesh.