Philippians 1:19-25
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
19 [a]for I know that this will result in deliverance for me[b] through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.(A) 20 My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.(B) 21 For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.(C) 22 If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose.(D) 23 I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, [for] that is far better.(E) 24 Yet that I remain [in] the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. 25 And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
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- 1:19–25 Paul earnestly debates his prospects of martyrdom or continued missionary labor. While he may long to depart this life and thus be with Christ (Phil 1:23), his overall and final expectation is that he will be delivered from this imprisonment and continue in the service of the Philippians and of others (Phil 1:19, 25; Phil 2:24). In either case, Christ is central (Phil 1:20–21); if to live means Christ for Paul, death means to be united with Christ in a deeper sense.
- 1:19 Result in deliverance for me: an echo of Jb 13:16, hoping that God will turn suffering to ultimate good and deliverance from evil.
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