I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. Philippians 1:18b-30
We’ve been experiencing a tough season as a family. My fourteen-year-old who has autism and mental health diagnoses has been extra anxious. When he suffers, we all suffer in our own ways. The stress of it feels overwhelming and unending. But I find hope when I read about Paul’s life and example to us. When Paul suffered, he turned to three things for comfort: the promise of heaven, the power of Scripture, and his purpose on earth.
The Promise of Heaven
Paul started this section of the letter by saying he hoped that through Christ and the prayers of his friends in Philippi, that "I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." He wanted to be with Christ in heaven. He even went on to write, "that is far better."
There have been times in my life when my longing for heaven takes over. It happens when someone I love dies. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 says we don't grieve like those without hope, but that longing to be with our loved ones and with Jesus is so strong when we mourn death.
I also long for it when I meditate on the promise of healing and health in heaven. Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Can you imagine? I believe my son James will still retain the core of who he is for all eternity, but he will no longer be bound by his inability to talk or the stress of obsessive-compulsive disorder. On the days he struggles the most, my desire for heaven is the strongest.
"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," may be one of the most well-known verses in Philippians. But in the original Greek there is no verb—there is no is. It literally says:
Living—Christ
Dying—gain
My commentary says it could also be translated, "Living means Christ. Living depends on Christ. Living honors Christ" (Hanson, The Letter to the Philippians, 81). All of that is true for Paul and for us! As much as we long for heaven, we can live on earth through Christ and His power in our lives.
When you think about heaven, what do you long for most? Your own healing? Comfort from all sorrows? Eternal fellowship with God? Give thanks today for all that is promised to us forever!
The Power of Scripture
Where else did Paul turn during his suffering? To one of the same books in Scripture that I turn to. In verse 19 Paul quotes directly from Job: "Even if he kills me, I will hope in Him ... Yes, this will result in my deliverance" (13:15a, 16a). What a gift it is to have stories of those who came before us in the faith. And to realize every single one of them suffered in some way. We think of Job right away of course, but we can also look to Hannah longing for a child, to David on the run from his enemies and feeling like God had forgotten him, and to Jesus as He was betrayed by friends. Abraham and Sarah, Naomi and Ruth, Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—all suffered and were comforted by God.
It's amazing that the authors of the epistles we look to for comfort now were looking back at Scripture written centuries before to comfort them. And we can read the words they read and be strengthened by the same power of Scripture. God does not leave us alone—we have the gifts of Scripture and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
I also like to read books by other believers like Nancy Guthrie and Elisabeth Elliot who wrote, “The deepest things that I have learned in my own life have come from the deepest suffering. And out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires have come the deepest things that I know about God" (Suffering Is Not for Nothing). Their words remind me I'm not alone. I'm not the first person to suffering. I don't even win the "I'm suffering the most" game.
His Purpose on Earth
Paul's mission was clear—spreading the gospel. Being in jail didn't stop him from living out this purpose. In fact, it only strengthened his resolve, probably to the disappointment of those holding him captive. I thought this imagined conversation was so true (and funny):
Guards: "Hey, Paul, we don't like you and your Messiah. We're going to kill you."
Paul: "That'd be great! Dying is gain! Bring it on!"
Guards: "On second thought, we're going to allow you to live."
Paul: "Fantastic! Living means fruitful, joyous labor!"
Guards: "Well, we're going to let you live, but we're going to make you suffer."
Paul: "Hey, guys, I consider the sufferings of this present world not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed. It would fill me with joy to suffer for the Name!" (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary)
In spreading the gospel, Paul also got to encourage the saints (like those in Philippi) and see their faith grow. "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ," he admonished them in 1:27. The book of Philippians will go on to show us more specifically how he encouraged them, but this first chapter ends with that encouragement and we can apply his words to our lives.
What is your purpose on earth? It starts with the call to make disciples, but it extends to comfort others with the comfort you have received. Praise God today for all His callings on your life!
As Paul received comfort from the promise of heaven, the power of Scripture, and his purpose on earth, he was able to pass that comfort on to the readers in Philippi and to us. He was preparing them for their own suffering: "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake" (v. 29), and he prepares us. Praise be to God!
Sandra Peoples (M Div) is a special-needs mom and sibling. She and her family live outside of Houston, TX where she serves her church as the Inclusion Coordinator for Special Needs Families. She is also the Special Needs Ministry Consultant for the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention. She’s the author of Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family. You can connect with her at sandrapeoples.com.
