Philippians 1:23 kjv
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Philippians 1:23 nkjv
For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
Philippians 1:23 niv
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
Philippians 1:23 esv
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Philippians 1:23 nlt
I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.
Philippians 1 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:21 | For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. | Death as gain due to union with Christ. |
| 2 Cor 5:8 | We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. | Desire to be with the Lord immediately upon death. |
| Lk 23:43 | And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." | Immediate presence with Christ after death. |
| Rev 14:13 | ...Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors... | The blessed state of those who die in the Lord. |
| Jn 14:3 | If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. | Christ's promise to take believers to Himself. |
| Ps 42:1-2 | As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God... | Intense longing for God's presence. |
| Ps 73:25-26 | Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth... My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength... | Ultimate desire for God above all earthly things. |
| Jn 17:24 | Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am... | Christ's desire for His disciples to be with Him in glory. |
| Heb 11:16 | But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God... | The heavenly hope and longing for a better dwelling. |
| 1 Pet 1:3-4 | ...has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance... | The imperishable heavenly inheritance awaiting believers. |
| Col 3:1-4 | If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God... | Setting one's mind on heavenly things and future with Christ. |
| Phil 3:20 | For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. | Heavenly citizenship and longing for Christ's return. |
| 1 Thess 4:17 | Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air... | Meeting the Lord in the air for believers at the resurrection. |
| 2 Cor 5:1 | For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands... | Assurance of a heavenly dwelling after earthly death. |
| Rom 8:23 | And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, groaning inwardly, waiting eagerly for our adoption... | Inner groaning for complete redemption and glory. |
| Acts 20:24 | But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry... | Paul's commitment to ministry despite personal desires. |
| 2 Tim 4:7-8 | I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness... | The blessed outcome of faithful perseverance, looking to the future. |
| Heb 2:14-15 | ...that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those... | Christ freeing believers from the fear of death. |
| Phil 1:24 | but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. | Paul's choice to prioritize the church's needs. |
| Eph 2:6 | and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. | Present spiritual union with Christ in heavenly places. |
| 1 Jn 3:2 | Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him... | The hope of ultimate likeness to Christ at His appearance. |
Philippians 1 verses
Philippians 1 23 Meaning
Philippians 1:23 reveals the apostle Paul's deep inner conflict between his personal longing for death, which he understands as immediate departure to be in the presence of Christ, and his commitment to remain alive for the sake of the Philippian believers and the furtherance of the gospel. He expresses that to "depart and be with Christ" is overwhelmingly superior to continued life on earth, highlighting his profound desire for fellowship with the Savior.
Philippians 1 23 Context
Paul, writing from prison, expresses profound joy and thankfulness for the Philippian believers' partnership in the gospel. In the preceding verses (1:12-20), he recounts how his imprisonment has ironically served to advance the gospel. He declares that for him, "to live is Christ and to die is gain" (1:21), setting the stage for his personal dilemma. Verse 23 is the articulation of this conflict, where his personal desire for intimate fellowship with Christ in death contends with his perceived necessity to remain alive for the sake of the church's spiritual growth and progress in the gospel. This highlights Paul's profound devotion to both Christ and His body, the church.
Philippians 1 23 Word analysis
- For I am hard-pressed (συνέχομαι - synechomai): This Greek word literally means "to be held together," "constrained," or "hemmed in." It vividly portrays Paul's internal anguish and tension, not a negative distress but a profound, almost unavoidable pull from two powerful, positive options. It implies an overwhelming compulsion, a tight grip of contrasting yet appealing possibilities.
- between the two: Refers explicitly to the two choices presented in the preceding verse (1:21-22) and the following verses: living (for the sake of others) or dying (to be with Christ). This isn't a casual preference but a monumental choice with significant implications.
- having a desire (ἐπιθυμία - epithymia): While
epithymiacan sometimes denote sinful craving, here it denotes a strong, righteous, and positive longing or yearning. It reflects Paul's deepest spiritual inclination and affection for Christ. This desire is not forced but emanates from his regenerate nature and love for the Lord. - to depart (ἀναλῦσαι - analysai): This term carries rich metaphorical weight. It literally means "to unloose," "to release," "to dissolve," "to break camp," or "to weigh anchor" (like a ship setting sail). Paul views death not as extinction, but as a deliberate and purposeful 'unloosing' from earthly bonds, a 'setting sail' to his true destination. It signifies a transition, a homecoming, rather than an end.
- and be with Christ (σὺν Χριστῷ εἶναι - syn Christō einai): This phrase underscores the essence of Paul's desire. The Greek preposition
syn("with") implies intimate, personal, and constant fellowship and presence. Paul doesn't desire just heaven or a disembodied existence, but specifically direct, unbroken communion with Christ. This is the ultimate goal, not merely escape from suffering or the trials of life. - for that is very far better (πολλῷ μᾶλλον κρεῖσσον - pollō mallon kreisson): This is a superlative phrase in Greek, meaning "by much more better" or "superlatively better." It's an emphatic expression indicating the immense, immeasurable superiority of being with Christ compared to anything this earthly life offers, even effective ministry. It's not just "better," but infinitely, overwhelmingly better, leaving no room for comparison.
Philippians 1 23 Bonus section
Paul's preference for death to be "with Christ" immediately after departing the body stands as a key biblical support for the concept of an "intermediate state" for believers – a conscious existence with the Lord between physical death and bodily resurrection. This view counters notions of soul-sleep or annihilation, emphasizing conscious communion with Christ immediately upon departure from the body. The intense desire to be with Christ also illustrates that true joy and contentment for a believer ultimately reside not in earthly achievements or even in successful ministry, but in the person of Jesus Christ himself and communion with Him. It's a testament to the fact that Christ alone is the Christian's ultimate satisfaction and supreme reward.
Philippians 1 23 Commentary
Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:23 provides profound insight into a Christian's perspective on life and death. His "hard-pressed" feeling reveals an authentic struggle between a deeply spiritual, personal yearning for the immediate, intimate presence of Christ and the overwhelming call of his earthly ministry. He understands death not as a fearful end, but as a desired release (a "departure," like a ship leaving harbor) into unbroken fellowship with his Lord. The emphasis on "with Christ" clarifies that the destination, not merely the cessation of struggle, is what makes death "very far better." This verse portrays the ultimate aspiration of a believer: to be fully and perpetually present with the Savior. It assures us that death for the believer means immediate entrance into Christ's presence, an existence immeasurably superior to any earthly experience, no matter how fulfilling. It undergirds a fearless, hopeful approach to mortality, knowing it leads to ultimate blessedness in Christ.