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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Philippians 1:23 - 1:23
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Php 1:23. Συνέχομαι, I am in a strait [I am perplexed]) He suitably expresses this hesitation, when he dwells upon this deliberation.-δὲ, but [for]) He hereby declares the cause of his doubt.-ἔχων, having) The participle, expressive of the feelings of the mind, for the indicative.-εἰς τὸ ἀναλῦσαι) to depart from bonds, from the flesh, and from the world. There is no need to seek for metaphor. The use of this word is of wide extent [application], Luk 12:36; 2Ti 4:6-σὺν Χριστῷ, with Christ) there, whither Christ has gone before him. Paul takes it for granted as a certainty, that, after his martyrdom, he will be immediately with Christ, and that his condition will be greatly superior to what it was in the flesh. [How delightful it is to rejoice in this hope! Reader, dost thou love Christ? Think then what will be the feeling of thy mind, if, after an interval of some months or days, thou shalt be with Christ. If that were indeed sure in thy case, what wouldst thou think should be done? See then that thou art doing this very thing at the present time.-V. g.]-πολλῷ μᾶλλον κρεῖσσον, far the more preferable [far better]) This short clause is to be referred to the verb to be, not to depart, whether we take it as a predicate, or rather understand it absolutely, by supplying ὂν, in this sense, since that is much better. For the comparative is cumulative; comp. 2Co 7:13, note. To depart is better than to remain in the flesh; to be with Christ is far far better. The Vulgate alone, so far as I know, has rightly, multo magis melius, much more better [preferable]. To depart was always a thing wished for by the saints, but to be with Christ is in accordance with the New Testament [a privilege peculiar to the New Testament]; comp. Heb 12:24.