Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

1:19 Paul, who has prayed for the Philippians, now solicits their prayers for deliverance (Gk. sōtēria), a term that could mean deliverance from prison (as some commentators understand it) or that could mean deliverance in the ultimate sense of eternal salvation (as others understand it). It seems likely that Paul intentionally left some ambiguity here, in light of the mention of his imprisonment in the preceding verses (see vv. 12-14) and in light of the eternal focus in the verses that follow (e.g., Paul's desire "to depart and be with Christ, which is far better"; v. 23). The tension between temporal deliverance and eternal salvation is, in fact, evident throughout this passage (vv. 19-26), as evidenced by Paul's words: "whether by life or by death" (in v. 20) and "I am hard pressed between the two" (in v. 23). Although Paul seems to have alluded to his temporal deliverance, clearly his longing for eternal salvation is "far better" (v. 23). In this regard, Paul alludes to Job 13:13-18 in this passage, where Job clearly speaks of his final destiny; and Paul speaks of his hope of not being ashamed, which is elsewhere related to the final judgment (cf. Rom. 5:4-5). Either way, Paul wants the Philippians to know that even if his expected deliverance from prison fails to materialize, and he is executed, he will still be "saved" to eternal life by God.

1:20 The crucial thing for Paul is not life or death. It is maintaining his faithful witness to Christ. Or by death indicates that Paul hopes to honor Christ even in the way he eventually dies.

1:21 Paul's life is not a matter of seeking his own comfort or advancement. It is all about seeking the advancement of Christ's kingdom: to live is tantamount to serving Christ. In fact, to die should be seen as gain, because it would mean that Paul would be freed from his trouble-filled life on earth to rejoice in Christ's presence.

1:22-26 In light of v. 21, Paul is hard pressed as to which outcome he should desire. Being with Christ now would be more attractive for him, while remaining alive (in the flesh) would enable him to help the Philippians further on their own spiritual journey. Since Paul knows that the way of Jesus is the way of service (cf. 2:5-11), he is convinced that his own preferences will be put aside so that he can remain and continue with the Philippians for their progress and joy in the faith. Paul is not merely musing on his own crisis; he is giving the Philippians a model of the service-driven life.

1:23 My desire is to depart and be with Christ indicates that when Christians die they are immediately with Christ, long before their bodies are raised from the dead (see note on 1 Cor. 15:23).