Bible Strands
Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul, writing from prison to the church in Philippi at a moment when his fate is uncertain. He has just said Christ will be exalted in his body "whether by life or by death" (v. 20) and now states the principle behind that hope.
The words — Χριστός (Christos) functions as predicate nominative: "to live is Christ," not "to live is for Christ." The content of Paul's life is identified as a person, not a purpose.
The thread — Galatians 2:20 inverts the same claim: "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." 2 Corinthians 5:8 expresses the same preference for death as proximity to the Lord.
Why it lands — The verse does not say death is better than life; it says life has a definite content, and the reader is asked to name what fills theirs.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
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.
- 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
- Philippians 1:23 I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
- 2 Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord.
- Philippians 1:20 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.
- Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
- 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.”
- Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13 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.