CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/philippians/1-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/50_Php_01_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Philippians 1:21 - To Live is Christ" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/philippians/1-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/philippians/1-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/philippians/">Philippians</a> > <a href="/philippians/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/philippians/1-20.htm" title="Philippians 1:20">◄</a> Philippians 1:21 <a href="/philippians/1-22.htm" title="Philippians 1:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/philippians/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/philippians/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/philippians/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/philippians/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/philippians/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/philippians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For to me, to live <i>is</i> Christ and to die <i>is</i> gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/philippians/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For to me to live <i>is</i> Christ, and to die <i>is</i> gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/philippians/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For to me, to live <i>is</i> Christ, and to die <i>is</i> gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/philippians/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/philippians/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/philippians/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/philippians/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/philippians/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/philippians/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/philippians/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/philippians/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/philippians/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/philippians/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/philippians/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I'll have even more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/philippians/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then, will bring more. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/philippians/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For to me, to go on living is the Messiah, and to die is gain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/philippians/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/philippians/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/philippians/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/philippians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For, with me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/philippians/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/philippians/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/philippians/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/philippians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For to me, to live <i>is</i> Christ and to die <i>is</i> gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/philippians/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for to me to live is Christ, and to die gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/philippians/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For me to live is Christ, and to die gain.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/philippians/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For to me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/philippians/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/philippians/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/philippians/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/philippians/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For Christ is my life, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/philippians/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For my life is The Messiah, and if I shall die, it is gain for me.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/philippians/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/philippians/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For Christ is my life, and death is my gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/philippians/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/philippians/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and if I die, I gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/philippians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For, with me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/philippians/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/philippians/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />For to me to live <i>is</i> Christ, and to die <i>is</i> gain: and if I live in the flesh, this <i>is</i> the fruit of my labor:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/philippians/1-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mXomUhcrPbg?start=175" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/philippians/1.htm">To Live is Christ</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20</span>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. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: Emoi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">to me,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: zēn (V-PNA) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">to live</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christos (N-NMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">is Christ,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apothanein (V-ANA) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.">to die</a> <a href="/greek/2771.htm" title="2771: kerdos (N-NNS) -- Gain, advantage, profit. Of uncertain affinity; gain.">is gain.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">22</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a></span><br />I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-8.htm">2 Corinthians 5:8</a></span><br />We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-8.htm">Romans 14:8</a></span><br />If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-6.htm">2 Timothy 4:6-8</a></span><br />For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. / I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. / From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-3.htm">Colossians 3:3-4</a></span><br />For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. / When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25-26</a></span><br />Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-54.htm">1 Corinthians 15:54-57</a></span><br />When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” / “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” / The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-10.htm">2 Corinthians 4:10-11</a></span><br />We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. / For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-38.htm">Romans 8:38-39</a></span><br />For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, / neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25</a></span><br />For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:13-14</a></span><br />Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. / For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-2.htm">1 Peter 4:2</a></span><br />Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-24.htm">John 12:24-26</a></span><br />Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. / Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. / If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-14.htm">2 Corinthians 5:14-15</a></span><br />For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. / And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-25.htm">Psalm 73:25-26</a></span><br />Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You. / My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.</p><p class="hdg">to live.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/philippians/1-20.htm">Philippians 1:20</a></b></br> According to my earnest expectation and <i>my</i> hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but <i>that</i> with all boldness, as always, <i>so</i> now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether <i>it be</i> by life, or by death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21</a></b></br> For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/1-30.htm">1 Corinthians 1:30</a></b></br> But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:</p><p class="hdg">to die.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/philippians/1-23.htm">Philippians 1:23</a></b></br> For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/57-1.htm">Isaiah 57:1,2</a></b></br> The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth <i>it</i> to heart: and merciful men <i>are</i> taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil <i>to come</i>… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/8-35.htm">Romans 8:35-39</a></b></br> Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? <i>shall</i> tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/philippians/1-20.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/philippians/1-20.htm">Death</a> <a href="/galatians/2-19.htm">Die</a> <a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-3.htm">Live</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-17.htm">Profit</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/philippians/1-23.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/philippians/2-8.htm">Death</a> <a href="/philippians/2-8.htm">Die</a> <a href="/philippians/3-7.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/philippians/1-22.htm">Live</a> <a href="/philippians/3-7.htm">Profit</a><div class="vheading2">Philippians 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/philippians/1-1.htm">Paul testifies his thankfulness to God, and his love toward the Philippians,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/philippians/1-9.htm">daily praying for their increase in grace;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/philippians/1-12.htm">he shows what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/philippians/1-21.htm">and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/philippians/1-27.htm">exhorting them to unity;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/philippians/1-28.htm">and to fortitude in persecution.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/philippians/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/philippians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/philippians/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For to me</b><br>This phrase indicates a personal conviction and testimony of the Apostle Paul. It reflects his individual perspective and commitment, emphasizing the personal nature of faith. Paul often uses personal language to convey his deep relationship with Christ, as seen in other letters where he shares his experiences and struggles (e.g., <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a>).<p><b>to live is Christ</b><br>Paul's statement here encapsulates the essence of his life and mission. Living "in Christ" is a recurring theme in Paul's writings, signifying a life transformed and empowered by Jesus. This phrase suggests that every aspect of Paul's life is centered around Christ—his purpose, identity, and actions. It echoes <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a>, where Paul declares that he has been crucified with Christ and that Christ lives in him. The cultural context of the Roman Empire, where Paul was writing, often involved allegiance to various gods and emperors, making his singular devotion to Christ a radical stance.<p><b>and to die is gain</b><br>In this part of the verse, Paul expresses a profound theological truth about the Christian perspective on death. For believers, death is not a loss but a gain because it means being with Christ eternally. This reflects the hope of resurrection and eternal life, a central tenet of Christian faith. Paul's confidence in the afterlife is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus, as discussed in <a href="/1_corinthians/15.htm">1 Corinthians 15</a>. The historical context of early Christianity, which faced persecution and martyrdom, underscores the significance of this statement. Believers were encouraged to view death as a transition to a more glorious existence with Christ, as seen in <a href="/revelation/14-13.htm">Revelation 14:13</a>, which speaks of the blessedness of those who die in the Lord.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Philippians, Paul is writing from prison, expressing his deep commitment to Christ and his perspective on life and death.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philippi.htm">Philippi</a></b><br>A city in Macedonia where Paul established a church. The Philippian church was known for its generosity and support of Paul's ministry.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/roman_imprisonment.htm">Roman Imprisonment</a></b><br>Paul writes this letter during his imprisonment in Rome, which provides the context for his reflections on life and death.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/christ-centered_living.htm">Christ-Centered Living</a></b><br>To live is Christ means that every aspect of our lives should reflect Jesus. Our actions, thoughts, and goals should be aligned with His teachings and example.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Understanding that to die is gain encourages believers to view life through the lens of eternity. Death is not the end but a transition to eternal life with Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/joy_in_suffering.htm">Joy in Suffering</a></b><br>Paul's imprisonment and his statement in <a href="/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21</a> teach us that joy and purpose can be found even in suffering when our lives are centered on Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purposeful_living.htm">Purposeful Living</a></b><br>Believers are called to live with purpose, knowing that their lives have meaning and impact when lived for Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_death.htm">Hope in Death</a></b><br>For Christians, death is not something to fear but a gain, as it brings us into the presence of our Savior.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_philippians_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Philippians 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_philippians_1_21_conflict_with_doctrine.htm">Does Paul’s viewpoint “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21) conflict with central Christian doctrines on the value of life and future resurrection? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_it_mean_to_live_as_christ.htm">What does it mean to live as Christ?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_dying_truly_a_form_of_gain.htm">Is dying truly a form of gain?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_c.t._studd's_missionary_impact.htm">Who was C.T. Studd and his missionary impact?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/philippians/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">To live is</span> <span class= "bld">Christ.</span>--This, of course, means "Christ is my life," yet not in the sense that He is the source and principle of life in us, but that the whole concrete state of life is so lived in Him that it becomes a simple manifestation of His presence. The opposition in the passage is between the states of living and dying (or being dead), not between the principles of life and death. It is, therefore, in some sense distinct from the cognate passages--<a href="/context/colossians/3-3.htm" title=" For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.">Colossians 3:3-4</a>, "Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. . . . Christ is our life;" and <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm" title="I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.">Galatians 2:20</a>, "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Those passages set forth the cause; this the result. If Christ be the principle of life in us, then whatever we think and say and do, exhibiting visibly that inner life, must be the manifestation of Christ.<p><span class= "bld">To die is gain.</span>--This follows from the other. Death is a new stage in the progress of union with Christ. So we read in <a href="/context/2_corinthians/5-6.htm" title="Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:">2Corinthians 5:6-7</a>, "Knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord . . . we are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." "To depart" (see <a href="/philippians/1-23.htm" title="For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:">Philippians 1:23</a>) is, in a higher sense than can be realised here, "to be with Christ."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/philippians/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain</span>. Others, as Calvin, render (not so well), "For to me Christ is gain both in life and in death." The alternative suggested in Ver. 20 leads St. Paul to a short digression on the comparative advantages of life and death; he is content with either. Life is blessed, for it is Christ; comp. <a href="/colossians/2-4.htm">Colossians 2:4</a>, "Christ, who is our Life," and Galatians it. 20, "Not I, but Christ liveth in me;" "Quit-quid rive, Christum vivo" (Bengel). The life of Christ lives, breathes, energizes, in the life of his saints. His flesh, his incarnate life is their meat; his blood, the mystery of his atonement, is the drink of their souls. He abideth in them, and they in him. And yet death is gain; the slate of death, not the act of dying, is meant (the infinitive is aorist, <span class="greek">τὸ ἀποθανεῖν</span>), for the dead in Christ are at home with the Lord (<span class="greek">ἐνδημοῦντες πρὸς τὸν Κύριον</span>) in a far more blessed sense than the saints on earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/philippians/1-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to me,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐμοὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Emoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to live</span><br /><span class="grk">ζῆν</span> <span class="translit">(zēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] Christ,</span><br /><span class="grk">Χριστὸς</span> <span class="translit">(Christos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> </span><span class="str2">Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to die</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀποθανεῖν</span> <span class="translit">(apothanein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_599.htm">Strong's 599: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] gain.</span><br /><span class="grk">κέρδος</span> <span class="translit">(kerdos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2771.htm">Strong's 2771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gain, advantage, profit. Of uncertain affinity; gain.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/philippians/1-21.htm">NT Letters: Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ (Philipp. Phil. Php.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/philippians/1-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Philippians 1:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Philippians 1:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/philippians/1-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Philippians 1:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Philippians 1:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>