Philippians 1:21

Textus Receptus:
εμοι γαρ το ζην χριστος και το αποθανειν κερδος

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

Comments:
to live...to die: "To live" is a present infinitive, while "to die" is an aorist infinitive. While aorist only definitely means a verb is without reference to duration, it is reasonable in a passage with a contrast like this one to assert that Paul's description of living is ongoing, while his description of death is momentary (or punctiliar.) In other words, it is not "dying" that is gain, but passing through the moment of death, the same point made in 2 Corinthians 5:4.

gain: This word is used for "lucre" in Titus 1:11, identifying it with profit. But most importantly, Paul's association of this word with Christ in this verse explains his willingness to give up everything that used to be gain to him in exchange for Christ, as he explains in chapter 3:7.

Paraphrase:
Because my life is about Christ, I know He can use my life or my death to glorify Him. But with that truth comes this fact: because for Christ I have exchanged every other reason for living, when I live for Christ my life is profitable. And when I die for Christ I will not be losing anything I wanted to keep. Instead, I will be gaining that for which I had already given up everything else.

Philippians 1:20

Textus Receptus:
κατα την αποκαραδοκιαν και ελπιδα μου οτι εν ουδενι αισχυνθησομαι αλλ εν παση παρρησια ως παντοτε και νυν μεγαλυνθησεται χριστος εν τω σωματι μου ειτε δια ζωης ειτε δια θανατου

King James:
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.

Comments:
earnest expectation and my hope: Paul's use of the same words ("earnest expectation" and "hope") in Romans 8:18-19, 23-24 implies that his desire is toward heaven and the resurrection. there is no doubt that God's purpose if fulfilled there and then. However, the point of this passage is that God's purpose is not excluded until then. In fact, Paul is making the point that God's purpose invades this life as well, meaning that even the most persecuted believers have reason to rejoice in what God accomplishes here and now. For instance, to be eschatologically minded (to anticipate the return of Christ) as a Christian in no way precipitates being lax or apathetic about the current condition of the world or of the believer's living. Perfection may not accompany living in this world, but Christ can be magnified in it through the believer's current obedience.

boldness: The same word is used in Acts 4:29 when the disciples pray that they will speak with boldness despite opposition and persecution.

Paraphrase:
My joy is in perfect conformity with the thing I greatly desire and that toward which I have so great confidence. I believe that nothing can turn me away from proclaiming Christ boldly. In fact, as Christ has become the most notable feature of my life so I believe He will continue to be. If I live, people will notice Christ in me. And if I die, people will notice Christ in me. If Christ will be magnified either way, then who cares what happens to me!

Philippians 1:19

Textus Receptus:
οιδα γαρ οτι τουτο μοι αποβησεται εις σωτηριαν δια της υμων δεησεως και επιχορηγιας του πνευματος ιησου χριστου

King James:
For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Comments:
shall turn: The word translated as this phrase is used to describe people exiting, for instance, a boat (as in Luke 5:2). Paul uses it here to imply that when his journey is finished, it will turn out that God made things right and good.

salvation: Salvation simply means deliverance. In the context of justification, it means deliverance from sin, guilt, and judgment. But in this context, it means deliverance from bondage. Ultimately Paul's deliverance from bondage will be obvious when God uses it to glorify Christ.

through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit: Of course, the Spirit's work is essential in ultimately bringing glory to Christ. But in this verse the prayer of saints is parallel to the Spirit's work in its significance in bringing about the result. Literally, Paul says his deliverance comes on account of their prayers and the Spirit's provision. In this sentence, that they asked is as significant as that the Spirit supplied.

Paraphrase:
How can I rejoice while I am in bonds like these? I know that when the ship finally comes to shore, God will turn what I am facing and what I see right now into freedom and deliverance on account of your requests, and the Holy Spirit's answer in the form of provision.

Philippians 1:18

Textus Receptus:
τι γαρ πλην παντι τροπω ειτε προφασει ειτε αληθεια χριστος καταγγελλεται και εν τουτω χαιρω αλλα και χαρησομαι

King James:
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Comments:
notwithstanding: Paul's rejoicing is neither in ignorance nor as a result of the sin of those who preach Christ out of ill motives. The adverb here is used as an adversative to make the point that his rejoicing is in spite of the evil done. Parallel to the note on verse 15 in the context of Romans 6:1-2, that Paul rejoices in good in no way excuses evil.

in pretense, or in truth: The Greek word for "pretense" implies that something seems (or shines) outwardly. In other words, there is a facade. Paul's charge for Timothy to be "unfeigned" warns every preacher to avoid this kind of hypocrisy. 1 Timothy 1:5 ("an-hypocritos"). The Greek word for truth is composed of the negative particle and a word ("lanthano") which means "unwitting" or "unaware." Truth is transparency--that which is without a facade.

Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice: To live in a world without evil is not an option for Paul, or anyone else. But to think and act on good instead of evil is, as he commands in this very letter, in Philippians 4:8.

Paraphrase:
So what should I do? Should I worry that some are doing evil? No. I will not focus on whether Christ is being preached hypocritically or honestly. Instead, I will think on and rejoice in the fact that Christ is being preached. Then, no matter why or what they do, I will have reason to rejoice.

Philippians 1:17

Textus Receptus:
οι δε εξ αγαπης ειδοτες οτι εις απολογιαν του ευαγγελιου κειμαι

King James:
But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Comments:
other of love: Paul's contrast for the contention (provocation of strife) and insincerity of the previous verse is love (agape). Paul uses the same contrast in Galatians 5:13-15; James uses it in James 2:8 and 3:14-18. Simply put, the kind of love (agape, charity) Paul describes here involves sacrifice, rather than the pure self-service which comes naturally.

I am set for the defense of the gospel: Paul has been put where he is so that he can give an answer for the gospel. Peter uses the same word (apologia, to give an answer) in 1 Peter 3:15 to remind every believer of their purpose in the world. What unites Paul and the brothers who act out of love is not their affection for each other (though such affection is certainly not precluded) but their mutual commitment to act as representatives of the gospel. Christian unity is never about agreement with each other, but agreement with the Lord and His purpose.

Paraphrase:
On the other hand are those who proclaim the message of Christ with a sincere love which recognizes our common purpose in Christ--always to give an answer for the good news we carry from God.