Philippians 1:

To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain

Christians have heard it, perhaps even others:

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What a strange sound to our contemporary hearing that a follower of Christ would prefer to die, rather than live as long as we can in this life. Why would the Apostle Paul say such a thing?

Paul further explains: ²² If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.

OK, that’s more like it. We hope those in our church will do some fruitful labor, but Paul continues:

Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

Paul seems rather conflicted in wanting to die to be with Jesus Christ, even as he tells of his desire to be with those of the church in Philippi “for your progress and joy in the faith.” [v.25b]

Like any letter we cannot just take the words of the writer (or writers, in this case) as literal advice to you and me without considering the context and background as well as the reason to write to those who first read it. The people of the church a Philippi were the very reason Paul and Timothy wrote this letter. In fact, Paul had much in common with these saints of this local church.

Dear church family in Philippi Macedonia,

Or in a 21st letter that is what we might have said. The letter, however, begins:

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers (meaning bishops) and deacons:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

The Greek words for overseer, where superintendent could also be used, and deacon, which indicates the ones who follow the commands of the appointed one in charge have a deep relational and much-lost meaning to the church. The description of the senders, however, reveals an even more-convicting humility, for Paul and Timothy refer to themselves as “doulos,” that is, “slaves” or servants.

Although you or I would end a letter with our signature, Paul and Timothy, as was the custom of the day, begin with their signature as identification to all of the senders at first hearing of the public reading of their letter:

Παῦλος καὶ Τιμόθεος δοῦλοι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

Paulos kai Timotheos doulos  Iēsous  Christos

Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ

Servant Leadership

Without taking time here to further develop a central theme which must typify followers of Jesus, the Christ of God and King over all creation and souls; please note Paul’s characteristically loving concept best demonstrated by Christ our Lord, that to lead others means to serve others.

What must Paul do before he dies? Even though Paul longs to be with the Lord Jesus, he concedes, “to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”

Paul and Timothy are slaves of the King, Christ Jesus. The Superintendents of the churches to whom they write are also expected to be humble servants of those they lead. Elders and Deacons must have expected obedience to the righteous decrees of the King, that is, Jesus. And the saints (small, ‘s‘) are obedient followers of church leaders, because we desire to obey the King, that is, we want to follow Jesus.

A Background in Common

Returning to Philippi, a complete reading of this letter from the slaves of Jesus Christ, Paul and Timothy, is much more than just instruction to a church; it is a much hoped for love letter from a dear one in a far away place.

Don’t you have a dear one in a far away place? I do.

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Here Paul and Timothy have reached out by messenger to the saints they love, even those with whom they share Christ Jesus, and so much more in common.

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you…

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

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“Would you die for Christ?

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Paul and Timothy and the early saints of the church did. Peter and John and the Apostles did. Stephen and James the brother of Jesus and the first century martyrs did. These all lived for Christ to serve others. These saints of the church, our beloved company of believers, died first to self to serve Jesus as Lord.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. – Philippians 1:21