Philippians 1:24

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Philippians 1:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
Philippians 1:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Philippians 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Nevertheless to abide in the flesh, etc.] To continue in the body, not always, but a little longer, [is] more needful for you; for their comfort, edification, and instruction, their further profiting: and increase in faith, and the joy of it. The Syriac version renders the words thus, “but business for you”, or “a good will towards you compels me to abide in the body”; and the Arabic version thus, “notwithstanding I choose to remain in the flesh, and this I think very necessary for you”; so that upon the whole, the argument for living longer on consideration of glorifying Christ, and of being more useful to the good of souls, preponderated with him; inclined him to desire rather to live than…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“to abide--to continue somewhat longer. for you--Greek, "on your account"; "for your sake." In order to be of service to you, I am willing to forego my entrance a little sooner into blessedness; heaven will not fail to be mine at last.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Nevertheless to abide in the flesh - To live. All this is language derived from the belief that the soul will be separate from the body at death, and will occupy a separate state of existence. Is more needful for you - Another object that was dear to the heart of Paul. He never supposed that his life was useless; or that it was a matter of no importance to the cause of religion whether he lived or died. He knew that God works by means; and that the life of a minister of the gospel is of real value to the church and the world. His experience, his influence, his paternal counsels, he felt assured would be of value to the church, and he had, therefore, a desire to live - and it was no part of…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Phi 1:22, Phi 1:25, Phi 1:26; Joh 16:7; Act 20:29-31 Philippians 1:25”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification