Wesley's Explanatory Notes
Philippians 1:23
To depart — Out of bonds, flesh, the world. And to be with Christ — In a nearer and fuller union. It is better to depart; it is far better to be with Christ.
To depart — Out of bonds, flesh, the world. And to be with Christ — In a nearer and fuller union. It is better to depart; it is far better to be with Christ.
Verse 23. _FOR I AM IN A STRAIT BETWIXT TWO_] Viz. the dying now, and being immediately with God; or living longer to preach and spread the Gospel, and thus glorify Christ among men. _HAVING A DESIR...
FOR I AM IN A STRAIT BETWIXT TWO - Two things, each of which I desire. I earnestly long to be with Christ; and I desire to remain to be useful to the world. The word rendered “I am in a strait” - συνε...
ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. CHRIST, THE CONTROLLING PRINCIPLE OF THE BELIEVER'S LIFE CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The introduction (Philippians 1:1)_ 2. The fellowship in the gospel (Philippians 1:3) 3. The apo...
PHP_1:19-26. HIS PROSPECTS. The successful preaching of the gospel will turn to his own salvation. Otherwise he would be put to shame. His desire is that in his person, whether by life or by death, Ch...
A FRIEND TO HIS FRIENDS (Php_1:1-2)...
For living is Christ to me, and death is gain. And yet--what if the continuance of my life in the flesh would produce more fruit for me? What I am to choose is not mine to declare. I am caught between...
AM IN. STRAIT. am being pressed. Greek. _sunecho_. See Acts 7:57; Acts 18:5. BETWIXT. out of. App-104. While _ek_ occurs 857 times, it is only translated "betwixt" here, and "between" in John 3:25, wh...
_For_ Read BUT, with conclusive evidence. The word here marks addition rather than distinction. An English writer would have dispensed with a transitional particle, probably. _in a strait betwixt two_...
THE SAME SUBJECT: THE ALTERNATIVE OF LIFE OR DEATH: EXPECTATION OF LIFE...
ΣΥΝΈΧΟΜΑΙ ΔῈ. On the reading, see critical note.—Δὲ takes up the last clause, with a slightly differencing addition; “What to choose I do not see, _but_ stand in suspense.” ἘΚ ΤΩ͂Ν ΔΎΟ. With συνέχομα...
ΣΥΝΈΧΟΜΑΙ _praes. ind. pass. от_ ΣΥΝΈΧΩ (G4912) удерживать вместе, окружать со всех сторон, не давая сдвинуться с места (EGT; Lightfoot). ΔΈ (G1161) и, теперь. Вводит объяснение и в то же время отдел...
DISCOURSE: 2140 ST. PAUL’S DILEMMA Philippians 1:21. _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...
FOR I AM IN A STRAIT, &C.— _"For I am,_ as it were, _borne two different ways; having_ on the one hand _a_ more earnest _desire,_ out of regard to my own immediate happiness, _to be unbound,_ to weigh...
OUTLINE OF 1:19-26 C. Paul's confidence in life or death; Philippians 1:19-26 1. Confidence that his experiences would turn out to salvation; Philippians 1:19 a. Through your supplication. b....
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: FOR. 'Aleph (') A B C Delta f g, Vulgate, read 'But.' 'I know not (Philippians 1:22); BUT am...
1 This epistle was not written by Paul and Timothy in the character of _ apostles_, but _ slaves_. This is important, as it gives us a key to the character of the whole letter. The mention of the over...
THE PRISONER APOSTLE IN ROME § 1. Address and Salutation (Philippians 1:1). Philippians 1:1; Philippians 1:2. The form of greeting in...
LETTER OF JOY Paul’s Letter to the Philippians _HILDA BRIGHT_ INTRODUCTION THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI Luke described the city called Philippi as a *Roman ‘*colony’ (Acts 16:12). The *emperor Augustu...
(19-24) In these verses, under the power of that feeling of joy of which he speaks above, St. Paul unveils to the Philippians his most sacred aspirations and convictions, and the division of feeling i...
HAVING A DESIRE... — Properly, _having my own desire for departure._ The verb “depart” corresponds exactly to the substantive used in 2 Timothy 4:6, “The time of my departure is at hand.” It is itself...
[2. Statement of St. Paul’s condition at Rome (Philippians 1:12). (1) THE RAPID PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL through his bonds, and through the preaching of others, whether in strife or in goodwill (Phili...
CHAPTER 4 THE CHOICE BETWEEN LIVING AND DYING. Philippians 1:21 (R.V.) AT the close of the preceding section we see that the ruling principle of the Apostle-the earnest expectation and hope which in...
DEATH OR LIFE MEANS CHRIST FOR HIM....
συνέχομαι δέ (with most authorr.). δέ = “rather”. _Cf._ Romans 4:20. συνέχ. ἐκ. Apparently the idea is that of a strong pressure bearing upon him from (ἐκ the source) two sides and keeping him motionl...
PRIVILEGED TO SUFFER IN CHRIST'S BEHALF Philippians 1:22 Our “manner of life” is all-important. In the open day and in the hours of darkness it must be worthy of the gospel. We must show ourselves to...
This letter is in itself a revelation of Christian experience. The word “sin" is not mentioned. The flesh is referred to only that it may be ignored. It is characterized by a revelation of the mind of...
A DIFFICULT CHOICE If the choice of life or death were left to him, the apostle did not know what to choose. As he saw it, continued life offered him further opportunities for service and fruit bearin...
(15) Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: (16) The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: (17) But the other...
There is no epistle in the New Testament which gives so little space to the development of. doctrine as this to the Philippians. Need it be said that it has not the less its own proper office on that...
_THE SAINTS IN PARADISE_ ‘For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far hetter.’ Php_1:23 What a new view of Death, the King of terrors—that death...
23_For I am in a strait _Paul did not desire to live with any other object in view that that of promoting the glory of Christ, and doing good to the brethren. Hence he does not reckon that he has any...
The affection of the Philippians, which expressed itself by sending help to the apostle, reminded him of the spirit they had always shewn; they had cordially associated themselves with the labours and...
FOR I AM IN A STRAIT BETWIXT TWO,.... Life and death; or between these "two counsels", as the Arabic version reads; two thoughts and desires of the mind, a desire to live for the reasons above, and a...
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Ver. 23. _For I am in a strait_] Plato in the eighth of his laws hath a like speech, The commu...
_For to me to live is Christ_ As my life, both natural and spiritual, is from Christ, so to serve and enjoy him is the supreme end of my life, and I value it only as it is capable of being employed in...
IN A STRAIT BETWIXT TWO; strongly drawn two different ways. HAVING A DESIRE TO DEPART; more literally, having my desire towards departing, as that way of the two WHICH IS FAR BETTER; better as respec...
FOR I AM IN A STRAIT BETWIXT TWO, HAVING A DESIRE TO DEPART AND TO BE WITH CHRIST, WHICH IS FAR BETTER;...
Paul's complete trust in his Savior's gracious will:...
Consistently with the character of the epistle, in his addressing the Philippians, Paul does not do so as an apostle, but linking Timothy's name with his own, makes use of the lowlier title, "servants...
Pioneers Wanted 1 Peter 1:12-26 1. KEY WORDS 12 Fallen out, futherance, gospel 13 Bonds, manifest, palace 14 Waxing, confident, bold, speak 15 Preach, envy, strife, good will 16 Contention, sin...
“BUT. AM IN. STRAIT BETWIXT THE TWO, HAVING THE DESIRE TO DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST; FOR IT IS VERY FAR BETTER” “But. am in. strait”: It means to compress, like being pressed by. large crowd. “This se...
21-26 Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he loses all his earthly comforts and all his hopes; but to a true believer it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery. It...
FOR I AM IN A STRAIT BETWEEN TWO; because he knew not what to choose for the best, he was held in suspense, LUKE 12:50 ACTS 18:5, as one drawn both ways with weighty reasons, which he amplifies with r...
Tertullian De Spectaculis You long for the goal, and the stage, and the dust, and the place of combat! I would have you answer me this question: Can we not live without pleasure, who cannot but with...
Php_1:23 For G1063 pressed G4912 (G5743) between G1537 two G1417 having G2192 (G5723) desire G1939 to G1519 depart G360 ...
PAUL STRESSES THAT HE FACES THE FUTURE DECISION TO BE MADE BY ROME ABOUT HIM WITH CONFIDENCE. TO LIVE WILL MEAN THAT HE CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE GOD'S PEOPLE. TO DIE WILL MEAN THAT HE ENTERS STRAIGHT INT...
‘But I am in a pressure situation between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for it is very far better, yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.' He thus finds hi...
_The Progress of the Gospel in_ _Rome St. Paul's desire to depart His Exhortation and Encouragement to the Philippians,_ 12-30, In spite of St. Paul's imprisonment, the Gospel has not been bound, and...
Philippians 1:23. BUT I AM IN A STRAIT BETWIXT THE TWO. The verb is one which the LXX. use (Job 36:8) of ‘those who are holden in cords of affliction,' and the apostle describes himself as thus holden...
I AM IN A STRAIT (συνεχομα). "I am held together." Present passive indicative of the common compound verb συνεχω, to hold together, to hem together as in Luke 8:45. "I am hemmed in on both sides" ...
Philippians 1:22 I. In the text St. Paul appears to weigh his life against departing and being with Christ. We must not suppose him to be speaking of his own case only, as an exceptional case, one of...
Philippians 1:23 Consider: I. The two desires. (1) To depart and be with Christ. This desire is composed of two parts: a vestibule, somewhat dark and forbidding, through which the pilgrim must pass,...
Philippians 1:23 The Believer's Better Portion. I. Paganism had cold comfort for its children. It is the religion of the Lord Jesus which can cheer and satisfy the soul. Our Divine Redeemer having ...
Philippians 1:21 The Fruit of Labour. Such words can never lose their power. They come down to us from a purer air; yet the voice is human, and is audible to all who feel. They sum up the constant t...
Philippians 1:21 There is a triple movement of thought and feeling in these words. I. There is the strong absorbing devotion which a man has to Christ. Here we get the grand noble simplicity and unit...
Philippians 1:22 I. The personal weighed with the public, or the difficulties of the veteran philanthropist. II. Man's sublimest reason for not wishing immediate translation to glory is that he may...
Philippians 1:21. _For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain._ «To me to live is Christ.» If he lived, he lived to know more of Christ studying his person, and learning by his happy experience...
Philippians 1:12. _But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the thing, which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest...
CONTENTS: Triumph of the believer over suffering and persecution. CHARACTERS: Christ, Holy Spirit, God, Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus. CONCLUSION: Those who desire that Christ may be magnified in their...
Philippians 1:1. _Paul and Timotheus._ The latter is associated as a fellow-labourer, and an apostolic man with himself. They had together planted churches, at the hazard of their lives, and their lab...
I AM CAUGHT. Note Paul views death as leading to a more complete life!!! See notes on Luke 16:27-31....
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:23 MY DESIRE IS TO DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST. When Christians die, they are immediately with Christ—long before their bodies are raised from the dead (see note on 1 C...
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:22 Paul knows that the way of Jesus is the way of service (see Philippians 2:5). He is CONVINCED that he will...
PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 1:12 Paul’s Reflections on His Imprisonment. Paul assures the Philippians that the gospel is still advancing even though he is in prison (vv....
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 1:19. THIS SHALL TURN TO MY SALVATION.—“_Salvation_ in the highest sense. These trials will develop the spiritual life in the apostle, will be a pathway to...
EXPOSITION PHILIPPIANS 1:1 PAUL AND TIMOTHEUS. St. Paul does not assume his official title in writing to the Macedonian Churches, Philippi and Thessalonica; it is used in all his other Epistles, exc...
Now, that we might continue to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, let us turn to Philippians 1. Paul the apostle was arrested in Jerusalem, held in prison in Caesarea for two years until he...
Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:10; Colossians 4:12; Romans 16:7...
I am in a strait betwixt two [σ υ ν ε χ ο μ α ι ε κ τ ω ν δ υ ο]. See on 2 Corinthians 5:14. The picture is that of a man pressed on both sides. Lit. I am held together, so that I cannot incline eithe...
PREACHING CHRIST Philippians 1:15 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. Some preach Christ of envy and strife. Of one thing we are sure: we are commanded to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered. Of anoth...