Philippians 1:23

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, etc.] Life and death; or between these “two counsels”, as the Arabic version reads; two thoughts and desires of the mind, a desire to live for the reasons above, and a desire to die for a reason following. The apostle was pressed with a difficulty in his mind about this, as David was when he was bid to choose which he would, either seven years' famine, or three months' flight before his enemies, or three days' pestilence; upon which he said, I am in a great strait, (<102414>2 Samuel 24:14); to which passage it is thought the apostle alludes; the same word as here is used by Christ, (<421250>Luke 12:50); having a desire to depart; to die, a way of speaking…”

“For--The oldest manuscripts read, "But." "I know not (Phi 1:22), BUT am in a strait (am perplexed) betwixt the two (namely, 'to live' and 'to die'), having the desire for departing (literally, 'to loose anchor,' Ti2 4:6) and being with Christ; FOR (so the oldest manuscripts) it is by far better"; or as the Greek, more forcibly, "by far the more preferable"; a double comparative. This refutes the notion of the soul being dormant during its separation from the body. It also shows that, while he regarded the Lord's advent as at all times near, yet that his death before it was a very possible contingency. The partial life eternal is in the interval between death and Christ's second advent; the…”

“For I am in a strait betwixt two - Two things, each of which I desire. I earnestly long to be with Christ; and I desire to remain to be useful to the world. The word rendered “I am in a strait” - συνέχομαι sunechomai - means to be pressed on or constrained, as in a crowd; to feel oneself pressed or pent up so as not to know what to do; and it here means that he was in perplexity and doubt, and did not know what to choose. “The words of the original are very emphatic. They appear to be derived from a ship when lying at anchor, and when violent winds blow upon it that would drive it out to sea. The apostle represents himself as in a similar condition. His strong affection for them bound his…”

“To depart - Out of bonds, flesh, the world. And to be with Christ - In a nearer and fuller union. It is better to depart; it is far better to be with Christ. Philippians 1:25”

“1:23 I long to go and be with Christ: Death leads believers immediately into the Lord’s presence (cp. 3:20-21; 1 Cor 15:20-23, 51-52; 2 Cor 5:1-8; 1 Thes 4:13-17).”

“in: Sa2 24:14; Th1 2:1, Th1 2:13; Luk 12:50; Co2 6:12 a desire: Luk 2:29, Luk 2:30; Joh 13:1; Co2 5:8; Ti2 4:6 with: Job 19:26, Job 19:27; Psa 49:15; Luk 8:38, Luk 23:43; Joh 14:3, Joh 17:24; Act 7:59; Co2 5:8; Th1 4:17; Rev 14:13 far: Psa 16:10, Psa 16:11, Psa 17:15, Psa 73:24-26; Rev 7:14-17 Philippians 1:24”