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Scott's Reference Library
Philippians 1:21 through Philippians 1:30 (NIV)
21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If 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! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ,
which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the
body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with
all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being
with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of
Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I
will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith
of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.
This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be
saved—and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not
only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30since you are going
through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 21-26
Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he loses all his earthly
comforts and all his hopes; but to a true believer it is gain, for it is the end
of all his weakness and misery. It delivers him from all the evils of life, and
brings him to possess the chief good. The apostle’s difficulty was not between
living in this world and living in heaven; between these two there is no
comparison; but between serving Christ in this world and enjoying him in
another. Not between two evil things, but between two good things; living to
Christ and being with him. See the power of faith and of Divine grace; it can
make us willing to die. In this world we are compassed with sin; but when with
Christ, we shall escape sin and temptation, sorrow and death, for ever. But
those who have most reason to desire to depart, should be willing to remain in
the world as long as God has any work for them to do. And the more unexpected
mercies are before they come, the more of God will be seen in them.
VERSES 27-30
Those who profess the gospel of Christ, should live as becomes those who believe
gospel truths, submit to gospel laws, and depend upon gospel promises. The
original word “conversation” denotes the conduct of citizens who seek the
credit, safety, peace, and prosperity of their city. There is that in the faith
of the gospel, which is worth striving for; there is much opposition, and there
is need of striving. A man may sleep and go to hell; but he who would go to
heaven, must look about him and be diligent. There may be oneness of heart and
affection among Christians, where there is diversity of judgment about many
things. Faith is God’s gift on the behalf of Christ; the ability and disposition
to believe are from God. And if we suffer reproach and loss for Christ, we are
to reckon them a gift, and prize them accordingly. Yet salvation must not be
ascribed to bodily afflictions, as though afflictions and worldly persecutions
deserved it; but from God only is salvation: faith and patience are his gifts.