But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know.But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose.But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.But if to live in the flesh,— if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not.
3 sermons cite this verse
… But instead, in that dark, dank prison, Paul wrote the most positive book in the Bible, Philippians. Now, in Philippians chapter one, verses 12 to 30, Paul, who is writing from prison, models four principles for being happy no matter what happens in your life. This is a very practical message. I hope you'll take notes on this. I want you to see the four choices that Paul made so you can make these same choices too. Again, you're as happy as you choose to be. All right. So here are the four principles, the four choices. First, I can be happy no matter what happens in my life if I choose to, write this down, remember God can bring good out of anything. That's the first choice. I choose to remember that God can bring good out of anything. Now, Romans 8, 28, that famous verse of scripture in the Bible says this, we know, not we guess, we know that in all that happens, all that happens, that's the good, the bad, and the ugly, we know that in all that happens, God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. …
Right now, it's time for the Word of God. Let's go. The book of Philippians chapter 1, verse 20 through 26. No, no, no. Let's go all the way back to verse 18. I was going to speed it up for time, but I want to read from verse 18, so I'm going to read from verse 18. Then the Lord gave me this scripture, and then he gave me a picture, and I want to give both of you today. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this, I rejoice. Yeah, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, What has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. Verse 20 says, I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now, as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I don't know. I'm torn between the two. I'm trying to make a decision. I don't know which to choose. I'm torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, but it's more necessary for you that I remain in …
1. The great future privilege, which the apostle hoped for; that of being present with Christ. The words, in the original, properly signify dwelling with Christ, as in the same country or city, or making a home with Christ. 2. When the apostle looked for this privilege, viz., when he should be absent from the body. Not to wait for it until the resurrection, when soul and body should be united again. He signifies the same thing in his epistle to the Phil. i. 22, 23. “But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor. Yet what I shall choose, I know not. For I am in a strait between two; having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ.” 3. The value the apostle set on this privilege. It was such, that for the sake of it, he chose to be absent from the body. He was willing rather, or (as the word properly signifies) it were more pleasing to him, to part with the present life, and all its enjoyments, and be possessed of this great benefit, than to continue here. …