New International Version I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; New Living Translation I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. English Standard Version I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Berean Standard Bible I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. Berean Literal Bible But I am pressed by the two, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for it is very much better, King James Bible For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: New King James Version For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. New American Standard Bible But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; NASB 1995 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; NASB 1977 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; Legacy Standard Bible But I am hard-pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better, Amplified Bible But I am hard-pressed between the two. I have the desire to leave [this world] and be with Christ, for that is far, far better; Berean Annotated Bible I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ (the Anointed One), which is far better indeed. Christian Standard Bible I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ —which is far better — Holman Christian Standard Bible I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— American Standard Version But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better: Contemporary English Version It is a hard choice to make. I want to die and be with Christ, because this would be much better. English Revised Version But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better: GOD'S WORD® Translation I find it hard to choose between the two. I would like to leave this life and be with Christ. That's by far the better choice. Good News Translation I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing; International Standard Version Indeed, I cannot decide between the two. I have the desire to leave this life and be with the Messiah, for that is far better. NET Bible I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, New Heart English Bible But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Webster's Bible Translation For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Weymouth New Testament I am in a dilemma, my earnest desire being to depart and be with Christ, for that is far, far better. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. World English Bible But I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor I am pressed by the two, having the desire to depart, and to be with Christ, for it is far better, Berean Literal Bible But I am pressed by the two, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for it is very much better, Young's Literal Translation for I am pressed by the two, having the desire to depart, and to be with Christ, for it is far better, Smith's Literal Translation For I am pressed together from two, having one eager desire to be loosed, and be with Christ (rather much better:) Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut I am straitened between two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better. Catholic Public Domain Version For I am constrained between the two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, which is the far better thing, New American Bible I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, [for] that is far better. New Revised Standard Version I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor I am drawn between two desires, the one to depart, that I may be with Christ, which is far better: Aramaic Bible in Plain English For two things are pressing upon me: I desire to depart that I might be with The Messiah, and this would be much better for me, NT Translations Anderson New TestamentI am in a strait between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better: Godbey New Testament But I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ; for this is far better: Haweis New Testament For I am in a strait between the two, having an earnest longing to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, for this is far, far better: Mace New Testament I am doubly press'd between my desire to depart, in order to be with Christ, which is by far the best for ME; Weymouth New Testament I am in a dilemma, my earnest desire being to depart and be with Christ, for that is far, far better. Worrell New Testament but I am constrained by the two; having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for it is far better; Worsley New Testament for I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is much preferable: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context To Live is Christ…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. 23 I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. 24But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.… Cross References I am torn between the two. 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. / For we walk by faith, not by sight. Romans 7:21-24 So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. / For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. / But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. … Galatians 5:17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. I desire to depart and be with Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” which is far better indeed. Philippians 3:8 More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. Hebrews 11:16 Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. John 14:2-3 In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. 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. Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.” Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. 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. Treasury of Scripture For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: in. 2 Samuel 24:14 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man. 1 Thessalonians 2:1,13 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: … Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! a desire. Luke 2:29,30 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: … John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. with. Job 19:26,27 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: … Psalm 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. Luke 8:38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, far. Psalm 16:10,11 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption… Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psalm 73:24-26 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory… Jump to Previous Better Betwixt Christ Depart Departure Desire Directions Earnest Far Hard Hard-Pressed Pressed Strait TornJump to Next Better Betwixt Christ Depart Departure Desire Directions Earnest Far Hard Hard-Pressed Pressed Strait TornPhilippians 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. I am torn between the two. Paul felt the pull between remaining alive to continue his work among the Philippian believers and leaving this life to enter Christ’s presence. His ministry was fruitful and necessary for the churches, yet his hope was fixed on the life to come. 2Co 5:6-7 Therefore we are always confident, although we know… I desire to depart and be with Christ, Death held no terror for Paul because Christ had conquered it. He understood death for the believer as leaving the body and entering personal fellowship with the risen Lord. 2Co 5:8 We are confident, then, and would prefer to be… which is far better indeed. Being with Christ would surpass every blessing and hardship of earthly life. Paul’s confidence rested in the certainty that eternal life with Christ is complete, secure, and free from the limitations of the present world. Php 3:8 More than that, I count all things as loss… Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Philippians, Paul is writing from prison, expressing his inner conflict between living to continue his ministry and departing to be with Christ. 2. Philippi A city in Macedonia where the church to whom Paul is writing is located. It was the first European church founded by Paul. 3. Christ Central to Paul's desire, Christ represents the ultimate goal and fulfillment of Paul's faith and life. 4. Roman Imprisonment The context of Paul's writing, as he is under house arrest in Rome, facing the possibility of execution. 5. The Philippian Church The recipients of the letter, known for their strong faith and support of Paul. Teaching Points The Tension of Earthly Life and Heavenly DesirePaul exemplifies the Christian tension between fulfilling earthly duties and longing for heavenly rest. Believers are called to live purposefully on earth while yearning for eternal life with Christ. The Supremacy of Being with Christ Paul's statement underscores the surpassing value of being with Christ. This should encourage believers to prioritize their relationship with Christ above all else. Living with Eternal Perspective Understanding that being with Christ is "far better" should influence how Christians live daily, making choices that reflect eternal values rather than temporary gains. Courage in the Face of Death Paul's willingness to depart and be with Christ demonstrates a fearless attitude towards death, rooted in the assurance of salvation and eternal life. Balancing Ministry and Personal Desire While Paul desires to be with Christ, he also recognizes the importance of his ministry. Christians are encouraged to balance personal spiritual desires with their calling to serve others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Philippians 1:23?2. How does Philippians 1:23 reflect Paul's desire to be with Christ? 3. What does "depart and be with Christ" mean for Christian living today? 4. How can Philippians 1:23 inspire our perspective on life and death? 5. Connect Philippians 1:23 with 2 Corinthians 5:8 on being with the Lord. 6. How can we cultivate Paul's longing for Christ in our daily lives? 7. What does "to depart and be with Christ" mean in Philippians 1:23? 8. How does Philippians 1:23 influence the Christian view of life and death? 9. Why does Paul describe being with Christ as "far better" in Philippians 1:23? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Philippians 1? (23) Having a desire . . .--Properly, having my own desire for departure. The verb "depart" corresponds exactly to the substantive used in 2Timothy 4:6, "The time of my departure is at hand." It is itself used only here and in Luke 12:36, "When he shall return (break up) from the wedding." The metaphor is drawn either from "loosing" from the shore of life, or (perhaps better) from striking tents and breaking up a camp. The body (as in 2Corinthians 5:1) is looked upon as a mere tabernacle. Each day is a march nearer home, and death is the last striking of the tent on arrival. To be with Christ.--This is contemplated by St. Paul as the immediate consequence of death, even while still "out of the body," and before the great day. The state of the faithful departed is usually spoken of as one of "rest" (1Corinthians 15:51-52; 1Thessalonians 4:14-16; Revelation 14:13), although not without expectation and longing for the consummation of all things (Revelation 6:10-11). Such a condition of rest, and suspension of conscious exercise of spiritual energy, is, indeed, that which human reason and analogy would suggest, so far as they can suggest anything on this mysterious subject. But such passages as this seem certainly to imply that this rest is emphatically a "rest in the Lord," having an inner consciousness of communion with Christ. His "descent unto Hades," not only brings out the reality of the unseen world of souls, but also claims it as His. As on earth and in heaven, so also in the intermediate state, we are "ever with the Lord;" and that state, though not yet made perfect, is spiritually far higher than this earthly life. The original here is an emphatic double comparative, "far, far better." . . . Verse 23. - For I am in a strait betwixt two; rather, but (so the best manuscripts) I am straitened, hemmed in (Bishop Lightfoot) betwixt the two alternatives, life and death, pressing upon me, constraining me on either side. Having a desire to depart; having my desire set towards departing εἰς τὸ ἀναλῦσαι). The word occurs again in 2 Timothy 4:6, Ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀναλύσεως It is used of a ship, to loose from its moorings; or a camp, to break up; comp. 2 Corinthians 5:1, "If our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved (καταλυθῇ)." Probably here the metaphor is taken from tent life; to loosen, to remove the tent, the temporary abode, in the journey to the heavenly city. And to be with Christ. The holy dead are with Christ, they rest from their labors; they live unto God (Luke 20:38); they do not sleep idly without consciousness, for they are described in Holy Scripture as witnesses (Hebrews 12:1) of the race set before living Christians (comp. also 2 Corinthians 5:6, 8 and Acts 7:59). Yet they are elsewhere described as sleeping (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:14, 15); for the rest of the spirits of just men in Paradise is as a sleep compared with the perfect consummation and bliss of God's elect, both in body and soul, in his everlasting glory. Which is far better; read and translate, for it is by much very far better. He piles up comparatives, as if unable to find words capable of expressing the glory of his hope. Philippians 1:23 unveils Paul’s heart: torn between fruitful labor here and the far-better reality of being with Jesus. He longs to depart this life, not out of despair, but out of confident hope that immediate, joyous fellowship with Christ awaits. This verse invites believers to live faithfully now while keeping eyes fixed on the incomparable glory that lies ahead in the presence of the Lord.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek I am tornσυνέχομαι (synechomai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular Strong's 4912: From sun and echo; to hold together, i.e. To compress or arrest; figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy. between ἐκ (ek) Preposition Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. two. δύο (dyo) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'. I desire ἐπιθυμίαν (epithymian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1939: Desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust. From epithumeo; a longing. to depart ἀναλῦσαι (analysai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 360: To unloose, unloose for departure, depart, return. From ana and luo; to break up, i.e. Depart. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. be εἶναι (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. with σὺν (syn) Preposition Strong's 4862: With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together. Christ, Χριστῷ (Christō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. [which is] far πολλῷ (pollō) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 4183: Much, many; often. better κρεῖσσον (kreisson) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular - Comparative Strong's 2908: Stronger, more excellent. Neuter of an alternate form of kreitton; better, i.e. Greater advantage. indeed. γὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. Additonal Resources Philippians 1:23 Blue Letter BiblePhilippians 1:23 Bible Gateway Philippians 1:23 Bible.com Philippians 1:23 NIV |
    |