Philippians 1:23

For. Rather, “but.” Paul now explains the dilemma in which he finds himself.

I am in a strait. Gr. sunecho (see on 2 Corinthians 5:14), literally, “I am held together,” or “I am hemmed in.” Paul’s condition may be compared to that of a traveler who can turn neither to the right nor left because of restraining walls.

Betwixt two. Paul’s dilemma arises from the two possibilities that comfort him — continuing to live or laying down his life.

Having a desire. Literally, “having the desire,” that is, my desire is.

To depart. Gr. analuo, “to unloose,” “to undo,” used of unmooring a ship, breaking up a camp, hence, “to depart.” We may think of Paul’s cutting the ropes that bind him to this world, or his striking the camp of this life prior to departing for the life to come. He employs similar language in 2 Timothy 4:6, where the word for “departure” is analusis, “a loosing,” “an undoing.”

To be with Christ. Paul is not here giving a doctrinal exposition of what happens at death. He is explaining his “desire,” which is to leave his present troubled existence and to be with Christ without reference to a lapse of time that may occur between these two events. With the whole strength of his ardent nature he longed to live with the One whom he had so faithfully served. His hope centered on personal companionship with Jesus throughout the future life. Earnest Christians of all ages have had this same longing, without necessarily expecting to be immediately ushered into the Saviour’s presence when their eyes have closed in death. Paul’s words here have to be considered in conjunction with his other related statements where he clearly refers to death as a sleep (see on 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15; see also on Mark 5:39; John 11:11). Since there is no consciousness in death, and hence no awareness of the lapse of time, the resurrection morning will appear to the departed one as occurring the moment after his death.

Which is far better. Literally, “for it is very far better.” In Greek there is a multiplication of comparative terms, quite in accord with Paul’s mode of expression (cf. Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 7:13; Ephesians 3:20). If death should overtake him, he expected to rest in the grave until the second coming of his Lord, and then be resurrected to receive immortality that he might be ever with Christ (1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).