Shirley H Supporter Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!

Quite simply, Paul would experience gain in his own death because he would then be with Christ! In completeness, Paul may be expressing his confidence that since his imprisonment had furthered the gospel, he may have hoped that God would also use his death to further the Kingdom!

I think that Paul could also feel "comforted" knowing that his suffering was not for nothing!

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Daniel Veler Supporter

Your question: Why did Paul say, "to die is gain" in Philippians 1:21?

Philippians 1:19: “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again."

If we read the full context, we come to know what Paul was saying: To live for Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

As long as Paul was alive, he magnified Christ, but once he died, the gain was being delivered from this world to be with Christ.

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Why did Paul say, "to die is gain" in Philippians 1:21? (ESV) "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

While Paul was alive, he was earthly, but to die would be his gain by being with Christ in Heaven.

But reading on in verses 22-23, note Paul's words: "But if to live in the flesh, --if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not. 23 But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better: 24 yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake."

Paul says that he was put under pressure by two possibilities​—life or death.

But in verse 24, Paul says, "Yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake." Paul says that he still had work to do for Christ's sake, more preaching and making new congregations of faithful people.

So, why would Paul say "to die is gain"?

Death brings him to Christ directly. Paul says departing means "to be with Christ… which is far better" (Philippians 1:23). 

This is the core reason death is "gain." 

It ends suffering and struggle. Paul's life was filled with beatings, imprisonment, and hardship. Death meant release from earthly trials and entry into Christ's presence. 

It completes his salvation hope. Paul's confidence rests on Christ's resurrection; death ushers him toward the final resurrection and eternal life. 

The contrast in this account means:

To live = Christ. Life is defined entirely by Christ—His mission, His presence, His purpose.

To die = gain. Death is not loss but profit, because it brings Paul into fuller union with Christ. 

The two clauses mirror each other without repeating words because Paul wants the reader to feel the stark, beautiful simplicity: 

Both life and death are wins for the Christian.

Summary of Paul's words.

Paul compresses his entire outlook on life and death into a single, striking line. For him, living means embodying Christ's purpose, and dying means entering Christ's presence in a way that surpasses anything this world can offer. 

He sees no loss in death because it ushers him into the fullness of the relationship that already defines his life. His words form a tight, balanced declaration of confidence—life is devoted to Christ's mission, death is the doorway to Christ's immediate glory—so either path moves him toward the One he serves.

Simply put, Paul is saying that living means serving Christ, and dying means being with Christ in an even better way. Life lets him continue Christ's work, but death brings him directly into Christ's presence.

1 day ago • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

Horace Lorenzo Hastings wrote a hymn that you might have to read twice. 

No, no it is not dying
To hear this gracious word,
“Receive a Father’s blessing,
Forevermore possessing
The favor of thy Lord.”

No, no it is not dying
The Shepherd’s voice to know:
His sheep He ever leadeth,
His peaceful flock He feedeth,
Where living pastures grow.

I don't fear death; I actually look forward to it. I'm not being morbid. I'm 78 and a Christian, a child of God, one of His family. He'll accept me in. He's already accepted me (Ephesians 1:6 -- I've been "accepted in the Beloved.")

A similar Bible verse to one of these lines was recited by a nephew of mine--it was at my Dad's funeral. ("Receive a Father's 
blessing --> "Well done, good and faithful servant." (See also Matthew 25:34, which says: "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'")

To paraphrase Philippians 1:21: the gain isn't what you get; it's Who you get.

23 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report