Phili 1:21-26 | RWP | e4.org | For to me ( εμο γαρ ). Fine example of the ethical dative. Paul gives his own view of living. To live is Christ ( το ζηιν Χριστος ). No copula ( εστιν ), but το ζηιν (the act of living present active infinitive) is the subject as is shown by the article το . Living is coextensive with Christ. Gain ( κερδος ). Old word for any gain or profit, interest on money (so in papyri). In N.T. only here, ; . To die ( το αποθανειν , second aorist active infinitive, single act) is to cash in both principal and interest and so to have more of Christ than when living. So Paul faces death with independence and calm courage.

‏ Philippians 1:21-26

For to me ( εμο γαρ ). Fine example of the ethical dative. Paul gives his own view of living.

To live is Christ ( το ζηιν Χριστος ). No copula ( εστιν ), but το ζηιν (the act of living present active infinitive) is the subject as is shown by the article το. Living is coextensive with Christ.

Gain ( κερδος ). Old word for any gain or profit, interest on money (so in papyri). In N.T. only here, Php 3:7; Tit 1:11.

To die ( το αποθανειν, second aorist active infinitive, single act) is to cash in both principal and interest and so to have more of Christ than when living. So Paul faces death with independence and calm courage.

If this is the fruit of my work ( τουτο μο καρπος εργου ). There is no ε (if) here in the Greek, but τουτο (this) seems to be resumptive and to repeat the conditional clause just before. If so, κα just after means

then and introduces the conclusion of the condition. Otherwise τουτο introduces the conclusion and κα means

and.

I wot not ( ου γνωριζω ). "I know not." It seems odd to preserve the old English word "wot" here. But it is not clear that γνωριζω (old causative verb from γινωσκω ) means just to know. Elsewhere in the N.T., as in Lu 2:15; Ro 9:22, it means to make known, to declare. The papyri examples mean to make known. It makes perfectly good sense to take its usual meaning here, "I do not declare what I shall choose."

I am in a strait ( συνεχομα ). "I am held together." Present passive indicative of the common compound verb συνεχω, to hold together, to hem together as in Lu 8:45. "I am hemmed in on both sides" (Lightfoot).

Betwixt the two ( εκ των δυο ). "From the two (sides)." Pressure to live on, pressure to die and be with Christ.

To depart ( εις το αναλυσα ). Purpose clause, εις το and the aorist active infinitive αναλυσα, old compound verb, to unloose (as threads), to break up, to return (Lu 12:36, only other N.T. example), to break up camp (Polybius), to weigh anchor and put out to sea, to depart (often in old Greek and papyri). Cf. καταλυω in 2Co 5:1 for tearing down the tent.

Very far better ( πολλω μαλλον κρεισσον ). Double comparative (triple Lightfoot calls it because of πολλω ) like Isocrates and the Koine often. See 2Co 7:13 for περισσοτερως μαλλον. Πολλω is the instrumental case of measure (by much).

In the flesh ( εν τη σαρκ ). So B D G, but Aleph A C do not have εν. Unnecessary with επιμενω, to abide by (common verb).

And abide with you all ( κα παραμενω πασιν υμιν ). Common Pauline idiom to repeat the simple verb ( μενω ) as a compound ( παραμενω, future active indicative), old verb, to remain beside followed by locative case. See same idiom in χαιρω, συνχαιρω (Php 2:17).

In Christ Jesus in me ( εν Χριστω Ιησου εν εμο ). "In Christ Jesus" as the basis for the glorying ( καυχημα ), "in me" as the instance in point.

Through my presence ( δια της εμης παρουσιας ). The word so often used of the second coming of Christ, but here in its ordinary sense as in 2:12; 1Co 16:17.