Did Paul have a choice to live or die?

[Joshua-777]

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

Just wondering, was Paul saying that it was his choice whether he lived or died?

*Edit* 
Why did Paul say "What I shall Choose I cannot tell" in vs 22.

[Guest]

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

Just wondering, was Paul saying that it was his choice whether he lived or died?

 

 

The Heart

 

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Psalms 42:1

 

And The Walk And Talk

 

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15

[missmuffet]

I do not see where these passages have anything to do with Paul having a choice to live or to die.

 

 

Philippians 1: 21 "To live or to die" means that we imitate the example of Christ and we pursue the knowledge of Christ.It also means that we are willing to give up anything that presents us from having Christ.It means that Christ is our focus,our God.

 

Philippians 1:23 means that the souls of believers are at death,absent from the body and present from the Lord,where they wait their resurrection.

 

Philippians 1:24 means "for your sake" in order to be of service to God I am willing to remain on this Earth.

[Joshua-777]

I do not see where these passages have anything to do with Paul having a choice to live or to die.

 

 

Philippians 1: 21 "To live or to die" means that we imitate the example of Christ and we pursue the knowledge of Christ.It also means that we are willing to give up anything that presents us from having Christ.It means that Christ is our focus,our God.

 

Philippians 1:23 means that the souls of believers are at death,absent from the body and present from the Lord,where they wait their resurrection.

 

Philippians 1:24 means "for your sake" in order to be of service to God I am willing to remain on this Earth.

I'm referring to the "yet what I shall choose I cannot tell." in vs.22

[FreeinChrist]

While writing the Book of Philippians Paul was in prison, more than likely in Rome, see Philippians 1:13: 4:22.  This book was probably written in 61 AD, so Paul had a good 6 to 7 years to live.  But at the time Paul was writing this Book he didn't know God's plan for him.  So IMO, Paul was writing if God decide it is his time to go, it was his gain; but if God chose for him to live it was for the glory of Jesus Christ.

 

If you go to II Timothy you will see that Paul has a good idea that his life on earth was soon to end, as he died in 67 or 68 AD, and this book was written in Rome in 67 AD.  Paul hearing his Master calling wrote these words:

6)   For i am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7)   I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith;

8)   Henceforth there is laid up for me, a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only but unto all them also that love His appearing.

II Timothy 4:6-8

[Guest shiloh357]

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

Just wondering, was Paul saying that it was his choice whether he lived or died?

*Edit* 

Why did Paul say "What I shall Choose I cannot tell" in vs 22.

He's not saying that God has granted him the sovereign right to choose if he lives or dies.  The point Paul is making pertains to an inner dilemma.

 

Keep in mind that Paul is in prison and in ancient Rome, prison wasn't a sentence. No one got sentenced to prison.  Prison was just a holding place until your trial to decide if you lived or died.   In ancient Rome pretty much everything was punishable by death and Paul is being held as a possible enemy of the state.  He is declaring to the inhabitants of the Roman Empire, a "Lord" that is above Caesar, which in the Roman Empire, was treason.  Paul is in prison and he doesn't know what is going to happen to him, at this point.  Will he be released, or will he be put to death?

 

Paul's chief desire was the spreading of the Gospel.  Nothing else mattered.  Paul wanted whatever would further advance the Gospel.  Would being released to go on other missionary journeys be what further Gospel best?   Or would remaining in prison, and being sentenced to death serve to best further the Gospel?   Paul doesn't know which is better.   What Paul DOES know is that he wants the outcome that best furthers the Gospel.

 

Paul chooses the outcome that will win the most people to Christ.  If by His life or his death the Gospel is advanced, then he is resigned to "choose" that outcome in the sense that he has chosen to resign himself to God's sovereign will in the matter. He is not afraid to die. He is not feeling sorry for himself in prison.  He knows that being in prison is just part of God's plan and he is willing to wholeheartedly cooperate with whatever God is doing.

[Guest]

 

Amen~!

[Littlelambseativy]

It is the same as for us to say we would rather be with Jesus and out of thie mess this world is in but know that our life is in God's hands and until He calls us home we continue to dog His will here on earth and live a life pleasing to Him. Telling by word or example of Jesus saving grace.

[seandavids]

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

Just wondering, was Paul saying that it was his choice whether he lived or died?

*Edit* 

Why did Paul say "What I shall Choose I cannot tell" in vs 22.

I believe Paul chose to live just as much as you have a choice to go to Iraq or some other place that would make quick execution of a believer in their midst, Paul likewise could give himself over to the Pharisees and it would of quickly ended his life

[Riverwalker]

I think Paul's choice was much like Jesus' choice

 

Jesus knew that if He went to Jerusalem he would be imprisoned and crucified

 

 

Paul knew the same thingm, If He went to Jerusalem, He would be imprsioned and eventually aent to Rome to be beheaded

 

Both knew what was coming, both were tempted not to go to Jerusalem (Jesus by Peter)  but both made the choice that sealed their fate