Catholic Commentary on Philippians 1

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

The Letter of Joy

Philippians is the warmest of Paul's letters, written from prison to the community he loves most. The Philippians had been his first European converts, the community of Lydia and the Philippian jailer, and they have supported him financially throughout his ministry. The letter breathes thanksgiving and joy from beginning to end, which makes its prison origin all the more striking: the most joyful letter in the New Testament was written by a man in chains. Paul thanks God every time he remembers them, prays for them with joy, and is confident that the one who began a good work in them will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Paul reflects on how his imprisonment has actually advanced the Gospel: it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that he is in chains for Christ. Most of the brothers and sisters have been emboldened to proclaim the Gospel more courageously because of his chains. Some preach Christ from envy and rivalry, others from goodwill. It does not matter. Whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached, and because of that he rejoices. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If he remains in the body there is fruitful labour; if he departs he is with Christ, which is better by far. But for the sake of the Philippians he is confident he will remain. The Catechism identifies this as the Christian understanding of death: not an ending but a transition into the presence of Christ, which is the fulfilment of everything the Christian life has been (CCC 1011).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, to live is Christ and to die is gain. This is not a formula of resignation but of liberation. When death is gain, you are free to live without the fear of death that makes ordinary people compromise their convictions, soften their witness, and manage their risks. You are free to risk everything for the Gospel because the worst that can happen is gain. Live from that freedom today.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, for us to live is you and to die is gain. Free us from the fear of death that shrinks our faith and silences our witness. Let us be bold in our chains as Paul was bold in his. And complete the good work you have begun in us until the day of Christ Jesus. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Philippians
1
Greetings from Paul and Timothy
(Colossians 1:1–2; Philemon 1:1–3)
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
 
To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
 
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
(1 Corinthians 1:4–9; Colossians 1:3–14)
 
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
 
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me. 8 God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
 
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Paul’s Trials Advance the Gospel
(James 1:2–12)
 
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard * 1:13 Or all the Praetorium and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word † 1:14 NE and WH the word of God without fear.
 
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.‡ 1:16 BYZ and TR reverse the order of verses 16 and 17. 17 The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.
 
18 What then is the issue?§ 1:18 Literally What then? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
To Live Is Christ
 
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. 23 I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. 24 But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
 
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my coming to you again your exultation in Christ Jesus will resound on account of me.
Worthy of the Gospel
 
27 Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side * 1:27 Or striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel, 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 since you are encountering the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

*1:13 1:13 Or all the Praetorium

†1:14 1:14 NE and WH the word of God

‡1:16 1:16 BYZ and TR reverse the order of verses 16 and 17.

§1:18 1:18 Literally What then?

*1:27 1:27 Or striving together with one mind

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