This sermon was preached at Ascension Reformed Church in Moscow, Idaho on August 16, A.D. 2026. The video can be found here.
The Text
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me (Philippians 1:19–30 NKJV).
Introduction
“For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Our passage this morning contains one of the most popular New Testament passages that Christians love to quote. It’s something you can find on fridge magnets or in picture frames, written in Instagram bios or scrawled in white ink in the eye black on Tim Tebow’s face. It’s a powerful and pithy passage, but I’m not sure many of us have ever really considered the Apostle Paul’s claim.
“To live is Christ” sounds good enough, although somewhat ambiguous. It’s poetic. And in our community it seems to fit right in with “All of Christ, for All of Life…” But “to die is gain?” Really? To die is gain? Do you really believe that? Of course you know you must—it’s right here in the Bible. The Apostle Paul says it. But does your life, inwardly or outwardly, demonstrate that conviction?
Our passage this morning really is one of the peaks in Paul’s epistle to the Philippians, and it sets up the next chapter and one of the main themes of the book—the call to humility with the same mind of Christ. And so this morning I really want to narrow in on Paul’s claim here, that to live is Christ, and to die is gain—and see if we can not only understand what he means, but embrace this conviction as our own.
Summary of the Text
Technically, you could say our selected passage should have included the very end of verse 18. For this is where many modern Greek texts and English translations begin a new paragraph. They have Paul starting a new thought, writing, “Yes, and I will rejoice,” with the “for” that begins verse 19, explaining why Paul continues to rejoice. We see this in the ESV and other translations. And so Paul shares that he rejoices because through both the prayers of the Philippian church and the supply or “help” of the Spirit, he will be delivered. But what does Paul mean by his “deliverance”?
There is a question here of whether Paul is speaking of being physically delivered from his chains—released from house arrest—or if he is referring to a deliverance that is obtained through death—eternal salvation.
It is my understanding that the Apostle Paul has both meanings in mind. First, this can be understood as deliverance from imprisonment because in verse 25 the Apostle Paul states that he is “confident” that he will remain and continue with the Philippians for their progress and joy of faith. He appears to have a strong expectation that this is not the end yet for his life and ministry.
At the same time, I certainly believe that the Apostle Paul has eternal and spiritual redemption in mind as well. The word translated as “deliverance” here in verse 19 is most often translated as “salvation” throughout the rest of the New Testament, and it can be argued that in every other place the Apostle Paul uses this word, he indeed speaks of spiritual salvation. Additionally, in the next verse, verse 20, Paul uses eschatological language, expressing hope that he will not be ashamed—a concept tied to final judgment.
It’s important to understand that “hope” here is an eager and confident expectation. It’s not a mere desire, like hoping it doesn’t rain tomorrow, but a strong and patient trust in what you believe God will do. This passage reminds us of 2 Timothy 4:18, where Paul says that he knows the Lord will deliver him from every evil work and preserve him for His heavenly kingdom. And so the Apostle Paul believes that through the Philippians’ prayers and the work of the Spirit, he will indeed be delivered.
As he continues, he believes that Christ will be magnified in his body by life or by death. This is because for Paul, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” As an interesting side note, there’s a thought that “to live is Christ” is a play on words in Greek. For a Greek speaker could say, “to zen Chrestos” – “life is good” or living the good life. And Paul here says “to zen Christos” – life is Christ. And so with this strong belief—that to live is Christ and to die is gain—the Apostle Paul is torn between his two options.
It’s not that he had a say in what would happen to him, but as he considers both possible outcomes, he feels a tension. On the one hand, if to die is truly gain, if to die is to be with the risen and ascended Christ, then of course the Apostle Paul earnestly longs for that reality and reward. And yet, as I have pointed out previously, Paul is a servant under orders. He is a slave of Christ. He has a strong love and affection for his children in the faith. And so he recognizes that he still has work to do to build up the church, to help them in their progress and joy of faith, and even to visit them again, if the Lord wills.
Beginning in verse 27, the Apostle Paul then turns to the Philippians and exhorts them to live lives worthy of the gospel of Christ. The word here for “life” or “conversation” can also be translated as “citizenship.” And so, just as in Philippians 3:20, where Paul states that the Philippians are “citizens of heaven,” here it can be read as: “behave as citizens worthy of the gospel.” Many commentators believe that Paul’s use of the word “citizen” points to the Philippians’ pride in being citizens of Rome as a Roman colony, and he seeks to admonish them to make their foundational identity in Christ and His kingdom.
In particular, Paul desires that they “stand fast in one Spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.” While the NKJV lowercases ‘spirit’ here – as in having one shared disposition or attitude – this can also be interpreted as the Holy Spirit. For in Paul’s other letters, he often refers to the one Spirit that believers are united in. Additionally, he frequently calls believers to stand fast in the Lord, and the Spirit is the Lord (Phil. 4:1).
Paul says that when the Philippians do this without fear, their enemies will see it as a sign of destruction, but they must know it is a sign of their salvation from God. Most likely this is not their adversaries seeing signs of their own destruction, but them believing that the church will perish in their utter and united foolishness, whereas the Philippians can have confidence in the Lord’s salvation, whether in life or death.
Lastly, the Apostle Paul tells the Philippians that it has been granted to them not only to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but to suffer for His sake—just as Paul himself is experiencing. The Greek word here translated as “granted” is the word grace. This is a truth that is difficult to understand, and one that we will consider later in this sermon.
To Live is Christ
So now let’s focus in on verse 21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” We’ll begin with “to live is Christ.” What does this mean?
We first must remember that Paul is talking about his desire to honor and magnify Christ in his body—whether by life or by death. That is his great goal in life. To make much of Christ in all that he does. All of the Apostle Paul’s life was consecrated to Jesus Christ. Christ was the foundation, purpose, and power in his life. As a Christian, Christ is not just a nice accessory or addition to your life, but He is meant to be the all-consuming center. He is not someone you dabble with on the side, or occasionally give thought to. Rather, you ought to be consciously living for Christ, under His authority, each and every day of your life.
You do not need to be an apostle to live this way, to have this as your governing principle or motto. “To live is Christ” is for busy dads at work, moms in the home, kids at school, grandparents enjoying retirement… every Christian is called to offer all of themselves to the Lord in this life.
For Paul, all of his beliefs, thoughts, activities, and work could be traced back to the Lord Jesus Christ. All of Christ, for all of life. We want Christ and His Word to inform everything we do. Christ is the center of our marriages and our family, and how we raise and educate our children. He’s not left behind in the office or on the job site. He’s not absent from how we approach recreation and sports, or any other aspect of life. There is no hidden corner in life that you can keep away from Christ and His Word, an area where you are actually lord, and He has no say. All of life is to be offered to Christ. To live is Christ.
This is what the Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” You have died with Christ; you have been nailed to the cross with Christ. And having been raised with Him, He now lives in you by faith. Paul walks this way, not out of mere duty or compulsion, but from a heart of joy and gratitude. He lives for Christ, and he loves Christ, because Christ lived and died for him, and because Christ loved him first.
Christ as the center of life is a theme that runs through the Book of Philippians. If you jump to Philippians 3:7–9, we read, “But what things were gain to me [the same word used here in our passage], these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him…”
In this passage, the Apostle Paul had just listed all of the reasons he could boast in the flesh, all the things in life that he could take pride in. But having encountered the living Christ, his true righteousness, he now sees that all of those things pale in comparison to Jesus. They are all worthless; they are even hindrances in the way, as he seeks to gain Christ and be found united to Him. And so for the Apostle Paul, “to live is Christ,” in this moment, means more fruit for the Lord from his labors (v. 22). House arrest and chains have not diminished Paul’s zeal for Christ and His glory. It has not dampened his desire to preach where Christ is not known and to build up the church of God. And he recognizes that if the Lord chooses to free him and extend his life, it would be for the benefit of the church and the Philippians in particular. As he writes in verse 24, “to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.”
To Die is Gain
Yet, although Paul is willing to continue his life and labors for the sake of Christ and the church, he acknowledges to the Philippians that he does not know whether he would prefer life or death.
This is quite a shocking way of thinking. Consider that. If you could choose right now between continuing to live or dying—which would you choose? Who wouldn’t strive to extend their own life, especially someone like the Apostle Paul, who has a fulfilling vocation and calling? But he writes, “…yet what shall I choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (vv. 22–23). Again, for the Apostle Paul, “to live is Christ,” yes, and yet, “to die is gain.” So how can death be “gain” for Paul?
First, in Paul’s situation, he was convinced that his eventual death would bring glory to Jesus Christ. In one sense, the deaths of all believers do so—“precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints,” says the psalmist. But there is a special glory that attends a martyr’s death. It is why we remember both ancient and modern Christian martyrs—brothers and sisters who have literally laid their lives down in service to the Lord.
To die in this way, explicitly for the sake of Christ’s name and for the furtherance of His gospel, communicates something to every witness. That kind of death declares that Christ is worth more than everything. Obedience to Christ, even unto death, shouts that fellowship with Jesus—even the fellowship of His sufferings—is of higher value and worth than all things… even earthly life itself.
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mt. 16:24–26).
Or as the missionary-martyr Jim Elliot wrote in his journal as a college student at the age of 22, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” When we think about those given the grace to become martyrs for the faith, we see lives and deaths that declare, Jesus is worth it. He is worth more than even life itself.
Second, death is gain for every believer because it is the doorway to glory… it is the doorway to Christ. As Paul wrote, he desired to depart and be with Christ, which is far better (v. 23).
Many people, including Christians, do not fully understand what happens after we die. They have a truncated or even unbiblical view of what we mean when we talk about heaven and the resurrection of the dead. By this I mean the popular idea of dying and simply floating in some bright, cloudy sky-palace forever… maybe Jesus is there in some imaginations, but we’re not really sure what it’s all really about.
The first thing to understand is that although death is gain for the believer, it is still an enemy. Death only entered the world because of the disobedience of Adam. And in His death and resurrection, Christ conquered and defeated death, removing its sting. But we still await the final Day when death is forever abolished.
Therefore, we do rightly mourn when a loved one passes away, when they depart from this world. There is an ache deep within us at the thought of death. There is almost an unsettling anger that comes with death, which reminds us that something is not right, and causes us to long for the Day when everything will be made right. And at the same time, we do not mourn as those without hope (1 Thess. 4:13). This is not because death leads to some bright, floating bliss… but because it leads right to Christ.
Paul writes here in our passage that if he departs, he will be with Christ. This is what he teaches elsewhere in the New Testament. We read in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. When you die, your body goes into the ground, and your spirit goes to be with Christ, your Lord. Your body is not discarded as some worthless thing, but rather it is planted as a seed in the ground, awaiting the resurrection of the dead. As we know from 1 Corinthians 15, “The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power” (vv. 42–43). Just as Christ died and was bodily raised, so too will you and everyone else one day die and be bodily raised. Your spirit will be reunited with your body—just as Christ is presently in His glorified body.
Death is gain for the believer, because you can have hope, you can have confidence, that you will be united with Christ in glory, you will see Him face to face, and you will rise as He did in victory.
So the Apostle Paul knew that a day was soon coming when he would die. And you need to know and remember that day is coming for you too. “As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27).
It is only because of the death and resurrection of Christ that you can be free from the fear of death and judgment (Heb. 2:14–15). Without this fear, Paul understood that this day would usher him into the presence of Christ, and he longed for it, knowing that to be with Him is “far better” than anything else.
Do you know of the Apostle Paul’s longing for heaven? Do you know of his desire to be with Christ? His willingness to depart this life? Have you ever really contemplated that reality—that fact—that your day to depart will come?
When I was a sophomore in college, I came across online the preaching of a Baptist pastor at a small church in Missouri. His name was Bob Jennings—Brother Bob—and he had a knowledge of the Scriptures and an earnestness and simplicity in his preaching that was very compelling. During that year of college, though, I not only listened to his sermons but also read his journal entries posted online by his family as he suffered from cancer and approached death. Right prior to his death, he wrote a Letter to the Editor in the local newspaper, testifying of Christ’s greatness, even in his death.
This is what he wrote:
“Especially being a Christian, I’ve known that life is brief, death is certain, and an appearance before the Judge of all the earth is coming. Yet, my life is more of a ‘disappearing vapor’ than I imagined. Indeed, the one great thing in life is to be ready to die. It is simple, but big. Yes, I’d like to stay on with my family, with my church, and with the souls of men to try to serve. But God’s will is sovereign. And, I am ready to die, in that I was saved from my sins by the grace of Christ 41 years ago. Heaven is ok!” … My closing exhortation to fellow-Sedalians is that Christ is the only hope. Make sure you have Him. That’s all one can have, ultimately. All else is stripped away. He will fix you; He will fix it all. He conquered the grave. I go down with a glad shout, ‘O grave, where is your victory?’ When the Lord Jesus returns, I will rise again with all the Christians to a new heavens and new earth. There is a heaven to gain; there is a hell to shun. Farewell to all. It has been a well-spent journey here in Sedalia.”
“The one great thing in life is to be ready to die. It is simple, but big…”
Are you ready to die? Are you ready to depart? Do you have this kind of confidence in Christ? You do not need to complicate it.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, and you will be saved (Rom. 10:9–10).
Believe in Him and you shall not perish, but have everlasting life (Jn. 3:16).
Again, it is simple… but big.
Striving & Suffering Side by Side
Now, as we have seen, the Apostle Paul does not let us get away with thinking that this is his personal view of things, his personal conviction or calling as an apostle, and that we do not need to embrace “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” It is also not merely a personal conviction we ought to embrace, but a corporate one. After speaking of his own understanding of his situation, beginning in verse 27, he turns to exhorting the Philippians regarding their situation and applies this teaching. He writes, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
There is one thing I want to point out before we consider what exact conduct the Apostle Paul is calling the Philippians to. Notice that the Christian life is about a Person, a Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, and a message, the Good News of His life, death, and resurrection. “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Living lives worthy of the gospel of Christ is more than just do’s and don’ts. It is more than just law and rules. It is about walking with your Lord and seeking to please Him. Desiring to have a manner of life that brings Him delight. Striving to magnify His Name and bring glory to Him in all that you do. And seeking His forgiveness and grace when you fail to do so. So you are to make your conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ. And if “to live is Christ,” then you are called to a life that imitates His, a life of self-sacrifice and laying down your lives for one another.
In the midst of trials and persecution, the Apostle Paul calls the Philippians, and you all, to strive and labor in the one Spirit side-by-side for the faith of the gospel, rather than against one another in conflict and division. The Greek verb for “stand fast” or “stand firm” brings to mind Roman soldiers, side by side, holding the line in battle. Or in our context, perhaps linemen on a football team relying on one another to stop the opposing team from breaking through and advancing. That is what Paul is urging the church toward: a unity for the gospel against the attacks of the enemy.
And he says that when you do this as one Body, it is a sign to unbelievers of destruction. Again, in the blindness of their unbelief they see a group beleagured and oppressed people—certainly on the losing side. But for those who know Christ and are seeking to magnify Him in life or death—trials are a sign of salvation, for victory is certain.
In this life you will suffer, and you will suffer for the sake of Christ. As the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Not everyone’s suffering is the same. In the providence of God, some saints suffer more than others. But all should expect opposition at some point, in some area of life, for identifying with Christ. And this is a gift from God. But how? How can Paul call this is a gift?
Suffering for Christ is a gift because it allows you to become a partaker with Him in His sufferings, a participant in His sufferings, demonstrating that you are united to Him. And it is a gift because if you partake of His sufferings, you will also then partake in His resurrection and glory (Rom. 8:17, Phil. 3:10).
But I want you to see here in this passage that you are not meant to endure suffering alone. The Apostle Paul calls the Philippians to be of “one mind” and “one spirit” for a reason. Christian community is more than “nice” or helpful” – it is vital to the Christian life and persevering faith. We need one another. Fellowship in Christ is a means of grace, by which the Lord works to strengthen each member of His Body. Therefore, you must not turn inward when you are suffering some affliction or experiencing some trial.
All too often you will be tempted to keep hard things to yourself, to not show any weakness or to not want to be a bother. Likewise, when you see someone else enduring a trial, especially for their faith, your temptation may be to stay in the shadows. To shrink back with fear or humiliation. But when you do this, you are cutting yourself and others off from the very thing that God is pleased to use for blessing in our lives—fellowship with one another, striving side-by-side for the sake of the gospel.
One of the great blessings in your life right now is that you live in the state of Idaho, in the United States of America, and in the year of our Lord 2026. This means that unless you are engaged in regular outreach work or have very difficult family members or other unique situations, your opportunities for suffering—especially for your faith—are minimal. Again, there is a kind of blessing to this. This is what we want for our city and nation. And at the same time, we should recognize that there is a snare when believers become too relaxed and comfortable.
The Apostle Paul knew suffering, which taught him that this present world was not his home. He longed for heaven; he longed to depart and be with Christ. Without this experience, you may be tempted to hold on too tightly to this life, to think little of the world to come, and the blessing of being with Christ. Note that this understanding and longing did not dampen Paul’s zeal to work in the present. It did not remove from him his present duties or desire to build up the kingdom of God here and now, to serve others, and to be a blessing while he remained. But it did give him both eternal purpose and present urgency.
So if it is a grace and a gift to suffer for Christ, then you should ask yourself whether you are avoiding any opportunities that rob you of such blessings. Understand that I am not calling you to seek out suffering specifically. We are not called to pursue suffering as an end. That is in God’s hands. But it is worthwhile to consider the various outreach opportunities available to you—whether the pro-life work outside Planned Parenthood, the evangelism opportunities downtown and on the college campus, mission work, or any other providential opportunity that the Lord may place before you.
We all must be willing to serve Christ in this dark world as the Lord leads, even when it is intimidating or uncomfortable. And we do so together, with boldness, knowing that our reward is in heaven.
Conclusion
The American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society, founded in 1814, had a motto declaring that they were “ready for either.” Their seal depicted an ox standing beside both a plow and altar, meaning that their missionaries were ready to serve the Lord in life or in death. This ought to be the daily attitude of every Christian, whether a missionary on the field or a mother in the home.
In our passage this morning, the Apostle Paul demonstrates a true longing to be with Christ, and I believe this is a longing all Christians should seek to cultivate. And at the same time, he was hard-pressed between the two.
It is right and good to feel that you have work still to do in this life. You have family and friends to love, things to build and work hard at, and opportunities to serve those inside and outside the church. “To live is Christ.” Life is a blessing from the Lord—and you should be thankful for every heartbeat and every breath—seeking to honor and serve the Lord while in the body. As Paul wrote, “If I love on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor.” And so I pray that the Lord would extend your lives and richly bless them with weighty fruit from your labors.
And at the same time, you must endeavor to be ready to go when the Lord calls. You must be “ready for either.” Every day you must be ready to serve the Lord at the plow. And you also be ready to lay your life down on the altar—whether simply by going low in service to others, or by departing to be with Jesus your Lord.
There was a fascinating man in church history named Count Zinzendorf. He was the leader and wealthy funder (until his money ran out at the end of his life) of the Christian group called the Moravians, who sent missionaries all around the world, from Greenland to the South Pacific. Zinzendorf once wrote this, “I have one passion, it is He and He alone.” It is this attitude that makes life Christ and death gain. Christ must become everything to you. He must be your all in all. And when He is, you are able to approach both life and death with open and grateful hands.