July 8, 2018

To live is Christ and to die is gain

Philippians 1:18b-21

One of the well-known beloved word, but what does it mean exactly?

To live is Christ -  Another beloved word from Galatians 2:20 will help: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." He is now torn between "to live or to die " but it is not the matter of his own benefit. He has lived on behalf of Christ. 

To die is gain - the Greek word for "gain" here appears only in two other verses, and we can see it exactly mean a material advantage. Therefore, he really thinks it is good for himself to die, to depart from his flesh and serve to Christ in his kingdom.  Nevertheless, he chose to live yet, for the sake of the people on the earth.