But if I go on living in the bodyPaul is contemplating the possibility of continuing his earthly life. The phrase "living in the body" reflects the dual nature of human existence, where the body is the temporary dwelling place of the soul. This echoes
2 Corinthians 5:1-4, where Paul discusses the earthly tent versus the heavenly dwelling. The body is seen as a vessel for service and ministry, emphasizing the importance of physical life for fulfilling God's work.
this will mean fruitful labor for me
Paul anticipates that remaining alive will result in productive ministry. "Fruitful labor" suggests the spiritual fruits of his apostolic work, such as conversions, church growth, and the edification of believers. This aligns withJohn 15:5, where Jesus speaks of bearing fruit through abiding in Him. Paul's ministry is characterized by spreading the Gospel and nurturing the early church, as seen in his missionary journeys and epistles.
So what shall I choose?
Paul is expressing a personal dilemma between two desirable outcomes: continuing his ministry on earth or departing to be with Christ. This reflects the tension between earthly responsibilities and heavenly aspirations. The choice is not merely personal but is deeply rooted in his commitment to God's will. This mirrors Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39), where He submits His will to the Father.
I do not know.
Paul's uncertainty highlights his humility and submission to God's sovereign plan. Despite his apostolic authority, he acknowledges his limitations in knowing God's ultimate purpose for his life. This resonates withProverbs 3:5-6, which encourages trust in the Lord's guidance. Paul's indecision underscores the Christian's reliance on divine wisdom rather than human understanding.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Philippians, writing from prison, expressing his inner conflict between living and dying for Christ.
2.
PhilippiA city in Macedonia where the church to whom Paul is writing is located. It was the first European church founded by Paul.
3.
The Philippian ChurchThe recipients of the letter, known for their strong faith and support of Paul's ministry.
4.
Roman ImprisonmentThe context in which Paul writes, facing the possibility of execution, which adds weight to his reflections on life and death.
5.
Fruitful LaborThe work Paul refers to, which involves spreading the Gospel and strengthening the church.
Teaching Points
The Dilemma of Life and DeathPaul’s struggle reflects the Christian’s tension between the desire to be with Christ and the call to serve Him on earth. This teaches us to value both eternal life and our earthly mission.
Fruitful Labor as a Christian CallingOur lives should be marked by fruitful labor for the Kingdom of God. This involves evangelism, discipleship, and living out the fruits of the Spirit.
Purpose in SufferingEven in imprisonment, Paul sees his life as purposeful. Christians are encouraged to find purpose in their trials, knowing that God can use them for His glory.
Decision-Making in Light of EternityPaul’s indecision highlights the importance of making choices that reflect eternal values. Believers are called to prioritize God’s will in their decisions.
Living with UncertaintyPaul’s uncertainty about his future teaches us to trust God with our unknowns, focusing on faithful service rather than worrying about outcomes.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Philippians 1:22?
2.How does Philippians 1:22 guide our decisions between earthly work and heavenly desire?
3.What does "fruitful labor" mean in the context of Philippians 1:22?
4.How can Philippians 1:22 inspire us to live purposefully for Christ today?
5.Connect Philippians 1:22 with Genesis 1:28 on being fruitful and multiplying.
6.How can we discern God's will for our "labor" as per Philippians 1:22?
7.What does Philippians 1:22 mean by "fruitful labor" in a Christian's life?
8.How does Philippians 1:22 challenge the concept of living for personal gain?
9.What historical context influenced Paul's writing in Philippians 1:22?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Philippians 1?
11.What does the Bible say about glorified bodies?
12.Do people sleep in heaven?
13.Does Paul’s viewpoint “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21) conflict with central Christian doctrines on the value of life and future resurrection?
14.Is dying truly a form of gain?What Does Philippians 1:22 Mean
But if I go on living in the body“ But if I go on living in the body …” (Philippians 1:22a)
• Paul writes from prison, fully aware that his life could be cut short (Acts 28:16, 30).
• Yet he speaks of “living in the body” as a stewardship rather than a burden, echoing2 Corinthians 5:6–9 where he longs for heaven but commits to please the Lord while “at home in the body.”
• He treats earthly life as God-given opportunity: “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).
• Our bodies are “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), so remaining here means more time to glorify Christ in tangible ways.
This will mean fruitful labor for me“… this will mean fruitful labor for me.” (Philippians 1:22b)
• Paul is confident that staying alive equals more ministry results, not idle existence.
– Jesus said, “He who abides in Me … bears much fruit” (John 15:5).
– God “prepared in advance” works for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10).
• “Fruitful” points to converts (Romans 1:13), strengthened believers (Colossians 1:10), and eternal reward (1 Corinthians 3:8-9).
• Paul will keep planting and watering, trusting God for growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).
• This sets a pattern: every extra day God grants is packed with potential to serve, encourage, give, and disciple (Galatians 6:9).
So what shall I choose?“So what shall I choose?” (Philippians 1:22c)
• Paul entertains a choice in theory—life or death—though the timing rests in God’s hands (Psalm 31:15).
• Earlier he declared, “I consider my life worth nothing to me … if only I may finish my course” (Acts 20:24).
• Both options are appealing: finishing the race and receiving the crown (2 Timothy 4:7-8) or continuing to run and help others reach the finish line.
• This tension highlights a believer’s two great desires: to depart and be with Christ (Romans 8:23) and to remain and serve His church (1 Peter 4:10).
I do not know“I do not know.” (Philippians 1:22d)
• Paul’s uncertainty is not confusion about God’s plan but humble submission to it.
•Romans 7:24-25 shows a similar cry—longing for deliverance yet praising God for present grace.
• He waits on God’s decision (Psalm 27:13-14), trusting that “whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:8).
• The statement models honest transparency: even apostles face unknowns, yet faith rests in God’s sovereign wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6).
summaryPhilippians 1:22 reveals Paul’s heart: if God keeps him on earth, every breath will be invested in kingdom work; if God calls him home, even better. Life in the body equals fresh opportunities for fruitful labor, but the final outcome is God’s to choose. Believers today share the same calling—embrace each day as a field for harvest, confident that Christ will decide when our task is complete and our rest begins.
(22)
But if I live in theflesh . . .--The translation of this verse in the Authorised version is inaccurate, and perhaps a gloss to soften the difficulty of the original. The exact translation is,
But if to live in the flesh this is to me a fruit of work, and what (or,
what also)
I shall choose I know not. The construction is clearly broken by emotion or absorption in thought; it can only be supplied by conjecture. If (as in
2Corinthians 2:2) the word "and," or "also," can be used to introduce the principal clause ("what then I shall choose," &c.), the construction will be correct, though harsh. If otherwise, we must suppose either that the sentence is broken at the word "work," or that the whole should run,
But what if to live in the flesh is a part of work? And what I shall choose, I know not,&c. But though the construction is obscure, the sense is plain. St. Paul had said, "to die is gain." But the thought crosses him that to live still in the flesh, this and this only is (
i.e.,carries with it) a fruit of apostolical labour, in souls brought to Christ or built up in Him. Accordingly what to choose he knows not. For in such a harvest there is a gain, which outweighs his own personal gain on the other side.
I am in a strait betwixt (the) two.--The word here used signifies "to be hemmed in," or "confined," and is generally associated with some idea of distress (as inLuke 8:45;Luke 19:43), not unfrequently with the pressure of disease (Matthew 4:24;Luke 4:38;Acts 28:8). Our Lord uses it of mental distress in Himself (Luke 12:50): "How am I straitened till it be accomplished!" Here the sense is clear. St. Paul's mind is "hemmed in" between two opposing considerations, till it knows not which way to move, even in desire. . . .
Verse 22. -
But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not; or perhaps, as Meyer, "I make not known." St. Paul wavers between his own personal longing for rest in Paradise with Christ, and the thought that the continuance of his life on earth might conduce to the spreading of the gospel. The grammar of the Greek sentence aptly represents the apostle's hesitation. The construction is almost hopelessly confused. Perhaps the interpretation of the R.V. is the simplest: "But if to live in the flesh, - if this is the fruit of my work, then what shall choose I wot not." Thus
καρπός is parallel with
κέρδος (Ver. 21);
τὸ ζῇν ἐν σαρκι is also a gain, a fruit; the genitive is one of apposition; the work itself is the fruit. St. Paul, says Bengel, regards his work as fruit, others seek fruit from their work. Bishop Lightfoot proposes another rendering, "But what if my living in the flesh will bear fruit, etc.? In fact what to choose I know not." Surely, says Bengel, the Christian's lot is excellent; he can hesitate only in the choice of blessings; disappointed he cannot be.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.ifεἰ(ei)Conjunction
Strong's 1487:If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.I go on livingζῆν(zēn)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2198:To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.[the] body,σαρκί(sarki)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561:Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.thisτοῦτό(touto)Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.[will mean] fruitfulκαρπὸς(karpos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2590:Probably from the base of harpazo; fruit, literally or figuratively.laborἔργου(ergou)Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2041:From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.for me.μοι(moi)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.Soκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.whatτί(ti)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101:Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.shall I choose?αἱρήσομαι(hairēsomai)Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 138:To choose, prefer. Probably akin to airo; to take for oneself, i.e. To prefer.I do not know.γνωρίζω(gnōrizō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1107:To make known, declare, know, discover. From a derivative of ginosko; to make known; subjectively, to know.
Links
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NT Letters: Philippians 1:22 But if I live on (Philipp. Phil. Php.) 
