Philippians 1:22

“But if I live in the flesh, etc.] To be in the flesh sometimes signifies to be in a state of nature and unregeneracy, and to live in and after the flesh, to live according to the dictates of corrupt nature; but here it signifies living in the body, or the life which is in the flesh, as the Syriac version renders the phrase here, and as the apostle expresses it in (<480220>Galatians 2:20), and the sense is, if I should live any longer in the body, and be continued for some time in this world: this [is] the fruit of my labour; or “I have fruit in my works”, as the above version renders it: yet what I shall choose I wot not, or “know not”; whether life or death; since my life will be for the…”

“Rather as Greek, "But if to live in the flesh (if), this (I say, the continuance in life which I am undervaluing) be the fruit of my labor (that is, be the condition in which the fruit of my ministerial labor is involved), then what I shall choose I know not (I cannot determine with myself, if the choice were given me, both alternatives being great goods alike)." So ALFORD and ELLICOTT. BENGEL takes it as English Version, which the Greek will bear by supposing an ellipsis, "If to live in the flesh (be my portion), this (continuing to live) is the fruit of my labor," that is, this continuance in life will be the occasion of my bringing in "the fruit of labor," that is, will be the occasion of…”

“But if I live in the flesh - If I continue to live; if I am not condemned and make a martyr at my approaching trial. This is the fruit of my labour - The meaning of this passage, which has given much perplexity to commentators, it seems to me is, “If I live in the flesh, it will cost me labor; it will be attended, as it has been, with much effort and anxious care, and I know not which to prefer - whether to remain on the earth with these cares and the hope of doing good, or to go at once to a world of rest.” A more literal version of the Greek will show that this is the meaning. Τοῦτό μοι καρπὸς ἔργου Touto moi karpos ergou - “this to me is (or would be) the fruit of labor.” Coverdale,…”

“Here he begins to treat of the former clause of the preceding verse. Of the latter he treats, Phi 2:17. But if I am to live is the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour - This is the fruit of my living longer, that I can labour more. Glorious labour! desirable fruit! in this view, long life is indeed a blessing. And what I should choose I know not - That is, if it were left to my choice. Philippians 1:23”

“live: Phi 1:24; Co2 10:3; Gal 2:20; Col 2:1; Pe1 4:2 this: Psa 71:18; Isa 38:18, Isa 38:19 I wot: Gen 21:26, Gen 39:8; Exo 32:1; Act 3:17; Rom 11:2 Philippians 1:23”