Is to Die a Gain?
Dearly beloved of God, a section of scripture that is wrestled from its context is found in Philippians 1:20- 24. Some use this section to teach that death is a gain, because, they say, that death is the entrance to eternal life. Is this what this section is teaching? The context begins in verse 12.
Philippians 1:12
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
The context that follows, concerns “the furtherance of the gospel.”
The Apostle Paul rejoiced that Christ was proclaimed, whether he was in prison or not; whether some spoke of Christ out of contention, or out of love, and good will. The Apostle Paul set himself for the furtherance of the gospel, whether it was by his life or by his death.
Philippians 1:20-24
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die [for the furtherance of the gospel] is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot [know] not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better [this third option was far, far better than either living or dying]: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
The Apostle Paul was being pressed between life, and death according to verses 20, and 21.
Paul was in a tight spot, which could have resulted in his living and proclaiming the gospel, or dying in prison.
However, verse 23, introduces a third possibility which is amplified by the figure of speech Pleonasm, or Redundancy. The figure uses more words than the grammar requires for the purpose of amplifying them. The latter part of the verse reads, “which is far better”, but the Greek reads, “pollo (much) mallon (more) kreisson (better). The third possibility is amplified above either living or dying.
What was the Apostle Paul’s inner yearning, which was far, far better than either living or dying?
The words “to depart”, in the Greek are not the infinitive mood of the verb “depart”; they are, eis to analusai “unto the return”. Analuo means, “to return”.
The verse reads, “For I am in a strait betwixt two [living or dying], (having a desire for the return and to be with Christ; which is far, far better [than either living or dying])”.
The words in verse 23 digress from the two options that pressed on Paul in the flesh – life or death. Verse 23 introduces a third possibility. The third option should be set in a parenthesis.
Paul ached for the return of Christ. Only then would he be with Christ and delivered from the two situations that were pressing on him. Christ’s return was far, far better than living or dying.
As I Thessalonians 4:16 and 17 teach, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord and the dead in Christ will both be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air – at the same time. This is the only possible way to be with the Lord.
II Thessalonians 2:1 teaches us that when our Lord Jesus Christ comes, we will be gathered together unto him. This is the Church’s hope of glory.
I Corinthians 15:23 again teaches us that the time of resurrection is “at his coming.” Verses 51-54, teach us that the dead will be raised and the living will be changed at the same time – at the last trump. This victory over death will come through the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming.
Colossians 3:4 teaches us that, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.”
Ephesians 4:31 and 1:13 and 14 teach us that we are sealed with the holy spirit unto the day of redemption. “The day of redemption” is the day that the Lord will descend out of heaven to redeem those that he purchased with his life.
All these scriptures reveal that the time of our redemption from the grave and this present evil age will be on a particular day – the day when Christ returns to gather his Church.
I Corinthians 15:26 says that the last enemy to be destroyed is death. If death is an enemy, how can we say that “to die is gain,” meaning that it is the time of entrance into eternal life? The only release from death for the Church will at the return of Christ.
The revelation in Philippians 1:23 cannot contradict the truth that God has revealed to us at every other place. The time that we receive eternal life cannot vary from one record to another, or from one church to another. We cannot take the seemingly difficult passage, and erect a different doctrine based on it.
The difficult passage must be understood in light of the passages that are clear. Truth cannot contradict itself. Doctrine is not obscure, nor does it require us to embellish what is written and let loose upon it with our own ideas. The Word of God will interpret itself in the verse, the context, or where the identical subject is spoken of previously.
Death is not a gain, but the coming of Christ will be. Rejoice, he is coming!