12 Now it is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good news has been helped by my experiences; 13 So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ; 14 And most of the brothers in the Lord, taking heart because of my chains, are all the stronger to give the word of God without fear. 15 Though some are preaching Christ out of envy and competition, others do it out of a good heart: 16 These do it from love, conscious that I am responsible for the cause of the good news: 17 But those are preaching Christ in a spirit of competition, not from their hearts, but with the purpose of giving me pain in my prison. 18 What then? only that in every way, falsely or truly, the preaching of Christ goes on; and in this I am glad, and will be glad. 19 For I am conscious that this will be for my salvation, through your prayer and the giving out of the stored wealth of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 In the measure of my strong hope and belief that in nothing will I be put to shame, but that without fear, as at all times, so now will Christ have glory in my body, by life or by death.
21 For to me life is Christ and death is profit. 22 But if I go on living in the flesh—if this is the fruit of my work—then I do not see what decision to make. 23 I am in a hard position between the two, having a desire to go away and be with Christ, which is very much better: 24 Still, to go on in the flesh is more necessary because of you. 25 And being certain of this, I am conscious that I will go on, yes, and go on with you all, for your growth and joy in the faith; 26 So that your pride in me may be increased in Christ Jesus through my being present with you again.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Philippians 1:12-26
Commentary on Philippians 1:12-20
(Read Philippians 1:12-20)
The apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and to take off the offence of the cross, he shows the wisdom and goodness of God in his sufferings. These things made him known, where he would never have otherwise been known; and led some to inquire after the gospel. He suffered from false friends, as well as from enemies. How wretched the temper of those who preached Christ out of envy and contention, and to add affliction to the bonds that oppressed this best of men! The apostle was easy in the midst of all. Since our troubles may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice. Whatever turns to our salvation, is by the Spirit of Christ; and prayer is the appointed means of seeking for it. Our earnest expectation and hope should not be to be honoured of men, or to escape the cross, but to be upheld amidst temptation, contempt, and affliction. Let us leave it to Christ, which way he will make us serviceable to his glory, whether by labour or suffering, by diligence or patience, by living to his honour in working for him, or dying to his honour in suffering for him.
Commentary on Philippians 1:21-26
(Read Philippians 1:21-26)
Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he loses all his earthly comforts and all his hopes; but to a true believer it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery. It delivers him from all the evils of life, and brings him to possess the chief good. The apostle's difficulty was not between living in this world and living in heaven; between these two there is no comparison; but between serving Christ in this world and enjoying him in another. Not between two evil things, but between two good things; living to Christ and being with him. See the power of faith and of Divine grace; it can make us willing to die. In this world we are compassed with sin; but when with Christ, we shall escape sin and temptation, sorrow and death, for ever. But those who have most reason to desire to depart, should be willing to remain in the world as long as God has any work for them to do. And the more unexpected mercies are before they come, the more of God will be seen in them.