Quick Devotional from Philippians 1:21 (Observation from the Greek)

This is from my daily Greek exercise of sight reading a few months ago, courtesy of Vincent S Artale Jr.

Our text is from the Greek translation of Philippians 1:21.  Here is my translation:

“SUPPORT 21 [TP ἐμοὶ TP] γὰρ [T τὸ ζῆν T] Χριστὸς
For me to live is Christ

SENTENCE καὶ [T τὸ ἀποθανεῖν T] κέρδος”
and to die is gain

Here are some observations:

1. The Greek conjunction γὰρ translated here as “for” is functioning to indicate what follows is a reason.  It ties back to the previous verse in Philippians 1:20 where Paul has just said “Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” (NASB).  Why will Paul exalt Christ whether in life or death?  He’s going to explain.  What Paul has to say has implication for the purpose of life for a Christian and also put death in perspective.
2. Reason #1 to exalt Christ in life and death: “To live is Christ.”  Christ has given us new life.  That new life includes our future eternal life in heaven; but there is a sense it has begun already.  There is a different quality of life for those who are truly Christian that surrounds our new nature in Christ.
   1. To be sure “to live” refers to living right now before going to heaven.  In the next verse, Philippians 1:21, Paul goes on to say “But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me.”  Note his mention of living “in the flesh” but this reference to being “in the flesh” is not referring to living a sinful life since He talks about “fruitful labor.”
   2. Here is Paul’s purpose that is tied to living for Christ: It is to live a life of “fruitful labor.”  In verse 24 shows this labor is tied to ministry in the church because Paul said “to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”  Paul’s labor is out of love for the benefit of the believers in the church in the city of Philippi.  We see here that living for Christ is not merely an abstract concept but has practical implication and goal of loving the church.  It is loving Christ that makes us love the church and makes us labor for the church.
3. Reason #2 to exalt Christ in life and death: “To die is gain.”  Recall earlier we said Christ has given us new life.  That new life includes our future eternal life in heaven.  Because of that even in death it is to our gain.
   1. Two verses later in Philippians 1:23 Paul fills in more details of why death is gain is because in death we will “be with Christ.”  To think of that marvelous truth: We will be face to face with the Messiah who saves us!
   2. Knowing that one day we will be with Christ should also make an impact of how we live our life right now before our death.  We should live a life to please Him and out of thanksgiving and service, knowing that one day we will be called into account for our life.

Application:

• Is your outlook on life in line with the truth found in Philippians 1:21?  That is, is your life for Christ?  Is death even to meet Christ?
• Don’t miss the church dimension to the purpose of living life now.  How big does the church factor in your life?
  • As imperfect as the church is (and I know as a pastor) yet this is the institution God has given us.  Do we understand that the One who has died for us has made us a body with others whom He also died for?
  • Sometimes people’s lives center on other organization and institution: the company one works for, the sports league one looks forward to participating after work, some other hobby group one affiliate with, etc.  Keep in mind that in your death bed the company you work for won’t be first and foremost on your mind; you won’t be thinking about how much more hours you could have been devoted in overtime to the company.  But you will be thinking about your family and also God and Christ.  Let that sink in.  That should change our priorities in relations to our family and also the church.
• Don’t miss the “labor” dimension to the purpose of living life now.
  • Some people’s purpose is to try to make so much money that they can be sit back and be lazy.  But a life of being lazy will make you crazy.  Rather our life is “work” but work that is meaningful.  No matter what your day job is, the most meaningful work you can ever do from the perspective of eternity is working in serving the church with the spiritual gift(s) and talent(s) God has given you.
  • When serving God through the church is not easy, keep this in mind that laboring for the body of believers is not in vain when it is for Christ.
• Philippians 1:21 goes against the grain of what most people see as the purpose of life.  It is not self-centered but Christ centered.  It is not seeking one’s own interests first but that of others, especially the church.  To boil it down, it is about love: Loving God and Christ first, because the Triune God has lovingly saved you.  Then, motivated by the love of the Triune God, you love others including the body of believers, that is, your local church.  Have you internalized this truth?

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