Philippians 1:21
New International Version
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

New Living Translation
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

English Standard Version
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Berean Standard Bible
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Berean Literal Bible
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

King James Bible
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

New King James Version
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

New American Standard Bible
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

NASB 1995
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

NASB 1977
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Legacy Standard Bible
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Amplified Bible
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].

Christian Standard Bible
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

American Standard Version
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Contemporary English Version
If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more.

English Revised Version
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I'll have even more.

Good News Translation
For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then, will bring more.

International Standard Version
For to me, to go on living is the Messiah, and to die is gain.

Majority Standard Bible
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

NET Bible
For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

New Heart English Bible
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Webster's Bible Translation
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Weymouth New Testament
For, with me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

World English Bible
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.

Berean Literal Bible
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Young's Literal Translation
for to me to live is Christ, and to die gain.

Smith's Literal Translation
For me to live is Christ, and to die gain.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For to me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

New American Bible
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.

New Revised Standard Version
For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For Christ is my life, and to die is gain.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For my life is The Messiah, and if I shall die, it is gain for me.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Godbey New Testament
For Christ is my life, and death is my gain.

Haweis New Testament
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Mace New Testament
and if I die, I gain.

Weymouth New Testament
For, with me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Worrell New Testament
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Worsley New Testament
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain: and if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
To Live is Christ
20I 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. 21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know.…

Cross References
Galatians 2:20
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.

2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Romans 14:8
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.

2 Timothy 4:6-8
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.

Colossians 3:3-4
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.

John 11:25-26
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?”

1 Corinthians 15:54-57
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. ...

2 Corinthians 4:10-11
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.

Romans 8:38-39
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.

Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
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.

1 Peter 4:2
Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.

John 12:24-26
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.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15
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.

Psalm 73:25-26
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.


Treasury of Scripture

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

to live.

Philippians 1:20
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.

Philippians 2:21
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

1 Corinthians 1:30
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

to die.

Philippians 1:23
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Isaiah 57:1,2
The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come

Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? …

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Christ Death Die Gain Live Profit
Philippians 1
1. Paul testifies his thankfulness to God, and his love toward the Philippians,
9. daily praying for their increase in grace;
12. he shows what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome;
21. and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death;
27. exhorting them to unity;
28. and to fortitude in persecution.














For to me
This phrase introduces a deeply personal declaration from the Apostle Paul. The Greek word "ἐμοί" (emoi) emphasizes the personal nature of Paul's statement. It reflects his intimate relationship with Christ and his personal conviction. Historically, Paul is writing from prison, yet his focus remains on his mission and identity in Christ. This personal pronoun sets the stage for a profound expression of faith that transcends his circumstances.

to live
The Greek word "ζῆν" (zēn) is used here, which means "to live." For Paul, life is not merely biological existence but is defined by his relationship with Christ. In the historical context of the early church, living meant actively participating in the mission of spreading the Gospel, often amidst persecution. Paul's understanding of life is deeply rooted in his calling and purpose as an apostle.

is Christ
The phrase "Χριστός" (Christos) signifies that Christ is the essence and purpose of Paul's life. This reflects the centrality of Christ in Paul's theology and his personal identity. Historically, this declaration would have been counter-cultural, as it placed allegiance to Christ above all else, including Roman authority. For Paul, every aspect of his life is intertwined with Christ, illustrating a profound union with the Savior.

and to die
The Greek word "ἀποθανεῖν" (apothanein) means "to die." Paul views death not as a loss but as a gain. In the historical context, death was a constant threat for early Christians due to persecution. However, Paul’s perspective is that death is not to be feared but embraced as a transition to something greater. This reflects a deep-seated hope and assurance in the promises of Christ.

is gain
The word "κέρδος" (kerdos) translates to "gain" or "profit." Paul sees death as advantageous because it brings him into the immediate presence of Christ. This perspective is rooted in the Christian hope of eternal life and the resurrection. Historically, this was a radical view that challenged the fear of death prevalent in the ancient world. For Paul, the ultimate gain is the fulfillment of his faith and the eternal communion with Christ.

(21) To live is Christ.--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--Colossians 3:3-4, "Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. . . . Christ is our life;" and Galatians 2:20, "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.

To die is gain.--This follows from the other. Death is a new stage in the progress of union with Christ. So we read in 2Corinthians 5:6-7, "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 Philippians 1:23) is, in a higher sense than can be realised here, "to be with Christ."

Verse 21. - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 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. Colossians 2:4, "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, τὸ ἀποθανεῖν), for the dead in Christ are at home with the Lord (ἐνδημοῦντες πρὸς τὸν Κύριον) in a far more blessed sense than the saints on earth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

to me,
Ἐμοὶ (Emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

to live
ζῆν (zēn)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.

[is] Christ,
Χριστὸς (Christos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

to die
ἀποθανεῖν (apothanein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 599: To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.

[is] gain.
κέρδος (kerdos)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2771: Gain, advantage, profit. Of uncertain affinity; gain.


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NT Letters: Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ (Philipp. Phil. Php.)
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