Phillipians 1:21

abanoub2000

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

Can someone explain this verse to me?? I really don't get the first half

jydeacon

St. Paul in this verse is saying that to really live is to be living in Christ and to know of Him and to live in His grace and salvation. And although we may die, we gain because we are once again allowed back into the paradise of joy. For Christ said, for those who try to preserve their lives lose it but those who lose their lives will gain it. Hopefully i have not misspoken

God Bless and Pray for me and my weakness

Unknown

;)  Thanks, You picked my verse for today . . .

Some random internet findings:

http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-philippians-1-21-23.htm
http://www.agodwardlife.com/Philippians/philippians11926.html
http://www.fpcjackson.org/resources/sermons/Philippians/Philippians_Vols1_and_2/03b_philippians_1_21.htm
http://www.fpcjackson.org/resources/sermons/Philippians/Philippians_Vols1_and_2/04a_philippians_1_21.htm
http://www.fpcjackson.org/resources/sermons/Philippians/Philippians_Vols1_and_2/04b_philippians_1_21.htm
http://www.fpcjackson.org/resources/sermons/Philippians/Philippians_Vols1_and_2/05a_philippians_1_21.htm
http://www.fpcjackson.org/resources/sermons/Philippians/Philippians_Vols1_and_2/05b_philippians_1_21_26.htm
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0146.htm

Supplementary random thoughts:

It's an amazing thing that even apart from God's prefect wisdom, people have come up with similar insights.  This passage just clarifies things.

I've read, (Sorry, but I forget where) It's better to really live for one day, than to pretend to live for a hundred years.  God, (through Paul and Crhist's life) simply clarifies what it really means to live.

I've also read that the life goal of the samurai of feudal Japan, was to die in service of their lord.  As strange as tis may sound, the only important difference here is that our lord is the Lord.  We don't usually think about what it means to die well, but (for most of us) it is what Jesus was talking about when he taught the parable of the ten virgins with the oil lamps, and the faithful servant.  We don't know when our last moment will be, but what a blessing if that moment is spent in God's service.

George

abanoub2000

Thanks guys, that really cleared it up for me.