Thy Strong Word – Philippians 1:18b-30: To live is Christ and to die is gain

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Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Philippians 1:18b-30. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics.

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Paul encompasses the reality of being a baptized child of God. We may ask the question, “Why does God have me here?” Paul assures the Philippians that when we are in Christ, we do not know why things happen, but we do know that in life we have Christ to serve others and to die is to be with the Lord. Suffering may come, but in faith we trust that the Gospel will be advanced and joy comes with Him. “Lord God, we bring all brothers and sisters in Christ, that we all live worthy of the Gospel and rejoice in all circumstances. Lord have mercy, Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two LCMS pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

Philippians 1:18b-30

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy[a] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

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Footnotes

Philippians 1:27 Greek Only behave as citizens worthy

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org