ACC ~ Philippians 1 v19 - 26

OVERVIEW. Even that which is unworthily proclaimed may yet attest the truth (MARIUS VICTORINUS). Assured of the future, Paul humbly seeks the prayers of the Philippians. He knows that he will be vindicated even in death (CHRYSOSTOM) and will magnify Christ either by miraculously escaping death or by steadfastly enduring it (MARIUS VICTORINUS). To prove that he is master of adversity (AMBROSIASTER), he enjoins detachment from life without negating its creaturely values (AMBROSE, CHRYSOSTOM, MARIUS VICTORINUS). By speaking of a choice, he indicates his discernment and control over his own future (MARIUS VICTORINUS, CHRYSOSTOM). He reminds us of the soul’s origin and destiny (AMBROSE, ORIGEN). He teaches patience in the face of death (TERTULLIAN). By remaining alive Paul brings good to many at his own expense (AMBROSIASTER, THEODORET). His decision reveals his benevolence toward the Philippians (MARIUS VICTORINUS, CHRYSOSTOM) and is supported by a true prediction (THEODORET). The glory of the Philippians is to exult in Christ (MARIUS VICTORINUS). The more they improve, the more he rejoices (CHRYSOSTOM).

1:19a | Rejoicing

EVEN THAT WHICH IS UNWORTHILY PROCLAIMED MAY YET ATTEST THE TRUTH. MARIUS VICTORINUS: It may seem that he had been rather rash and daring in his willing and joyful acceptance of the fact that Christ was being proclaimed in any fashion, even by the unscrupulous, even through insolence and envy. But in all this he was relying on the assurance and benevolence of God, confident of what will come to be by the grace of Christ through his Spirit. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 1.19-20.

1:19b | Through Prayers and the Help of the Spirit

YOUR PRAYERS IN THE SPIRIT AIDED MY DELIVERANCE. CHRYSOSTOM: Behold this blessed man’s utter humility! Here is the seasoned competitor! The crown was already to be his. He had passed through a thousand exploits. This was Paul. What more could one say? And yet he humbly asks for the prayers of the Philippians, that his deliverance may be ensured through their supplication. This is the very one whose deliverance has repeatedly been proven through his thousands of exploits! HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 4.1.18-20.

1:20a | Not Ashamed

MY DEATH WILL NOT BRING SHAME. CHRYSOSTOM: “Whether I live or die,” Paul says, “Christ will be magnified. How? Either through life, because he delivered me, or through death, because even death itself could not persuade me to deny him, since he has given me such readiness that he has made me stronger than death. … So even death will bring me not shame but great gain. Why? Because I am not immortal, but I shall shine all the more brightly than if I were so. It is one thing for an immortal creature to despise death, another thing for one who is mortal. Thus it would be no shame to me if I died right now. But I shall not.” HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 4.1.18-20.

1:20b | Christ Will Be Honored in My Body

CHRIST MAGNIFIED IN MY BODY. MARIUS VICTORINUS: “Christ is being magnified in my body, now as always, even when my body, subjected to all punishments, bears them all and preaches Christ unceasingly, not terrified by punishments and not giving way under all the tribulations.” He explains the alternatives before him by adding: “Whether by life or by death: If I overcome my trials by endurance, Christ will be proclaimed. Or if I die under my punishments, he will be proclaimed all the more. All will recognize that I was not terrified by punishments or by death. In the gospel I will either live out my life beyond these punishments or bear these punishments right up to death. In any case I will have persevered in the preaching of the gospel.” EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 1.19-20.

1:21 | To Live Is Christ; To Die Is Gain

NEITHER DEATH NOR TORTURE IS PUNISHMENT IF CHRIST IS LIFE. MARIUS VICTORINUS: It is not death itself that is gain, but to die in Christ. Life is Christ. The one who has hope in him is always alive, both now and forever. … Therefore they achieve nothing, whether they hand me over to death or to tortures in life. Neither alternative harms me. Life under torments is no punishment for me, since Christ is my life. And if they kill me, that too is no punishment for me, since Christ for me is life and to die is gain. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 1.21.

READINESS TO DIE IF CHRIST BE PREACHED. AMBROSIASTER: What others had contrived for his death proved to be life for him. This is life: if Christ is preached. He is fully prepared to meet death so that this can be accomplished. He knows that a great blessing will be given to him for his prayer and constancy. Clumsy malice will continue to work against him in ignorance. To trample down the malevolence of those who were laying snares against his life under a covering of deceit, he bears patient witness. He is fortified by the protection of God. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 1.21.1-2.

TO LIVE IS CHRIST. AMBROSE: It seems that for him death would be profitable and life would be more a penalty. For this reason Paul says “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” The death of the body is nothing amid the spirit of life. So we too are ready to die with Christ that we may live with him. ON THE DEATH OF HIS BROTHER 2.40.

1:22a | Life in the Flesh Means Fruitful Labor

HIS LABORS CONTINUE. MARIUS VICTORINUS: He said above “Christ is life for me,” but it was not clear then what life he meant, whether in the flesh or life after death. So now he adds these words pointing directly to this life in the flesh: “If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.” “What is this fruit of my labor? My labor is the gospel I preach. Its fruit is to bring many to the hope of life and salvation as they in due course begin to have hope in Christ and put faith in the gospel.” PISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 1.22.

HE IS NOT BELITTLING THIS LIFE. CHRYSOSTOM: One must not suppose that he is demeaning this life. He is not saying that since there is nothing good for us here, we might as well do away with ourselves. Not at all. There can be profit even here, if we live not toward this life finally but toward that other. HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 4.1.22.

1:22b | Not Knowing Which to Choose

EITHER CHOICE AFFIRMED. MARIUS VICTORINUS: I do not know which to choose. If I should die, death is gain and Christ is life for me, and I come to him indeed when I die here in the flesh. But if I should continue to live here in the flesh, the fruit of my labor will be to proclaim Christ and preach his gospel. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 1.22.

WHETHER HE WAS MASTER OF HIS OWN DEPARTURE. CHRYSOSTOM: Here he divulges a great mystery: he thought that the time of his departure was in his own power. Where there is choice, there we have power. “Yet,” he says, “which one I shall choose I do not yet know.” If he would ask this grace of God, either would appear to be within his power. … Behold the affection of this blessed man! By this he comforts them when they see that even his departure is within his own power. This happens only by the dispensation of God. HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 4.1.22-23.

1:23 | Desiring to Be with Christ

MY DESIRE IS TO DEPART. ORIGEN: In expressing such a desire he knew that when he returns to Christ he will know more plainly the causes of all that is happening on earth. He will then know more of what constitutes his own humanity, his soul, his mind, his spirit. He will then know more of what the Spirit is enabling and what grace it is that is being given to those who are faithful in the Holy Spirit. ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 2.11.5.

ACCEPTING DEATH WITH EQUANIMITY. TERTULLIAN: Impatience is a bad omen for our hope. It puts our faith in doubt. We wound Christ when we do not accept with equanimity his calling people away, treating them as though they were to be pitied. “I long,” says the apostle, “to be taken up and be with Christ.” How much better is the wish that he expresses! ON PATIENCE 9.4-5.

BETTER TO BE WITH CHRIST. AMBROSE: From him we come, by his own power we are created, and to him we return. “So it is much better to be with Christ.” N ABRAHAM 2.5.22.

DEPARTURE AS REST FOR THE SOUL. AMBROSE: What does this departure mean but the dissolution and torpor of the body, while the soul for its part is turned toward its rest and made free, if it be faithful, “to be with Christ”? ON THE BENEFIT OF DEATH 3.8.

1:24 | Living Is Necessary on Their Account

MORE NECESSARY ON YOUR ACCOUNT TO REMAIN. AMBROSIASTER: He admits that it might be much easier to be dissolved and be with Christ. But nonetheless he knows that it is necessary for him to remain in the flesh for the benefit of the faithful, so that their glory may abound in the Lord and all may praise the Lord when they see him again. They will thereby increase their knowledge and become more deeply grounded in faith. How great was his affection for the believers that he does not choose what he says would be much better for himself. Rather he wants what is more profitable to many, in the assurance that what conduces to the benefit of many will also please the Lord. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 1.26.2.

1:25 | Remaining and Continuing with Them

I SHALL CONTINUE. MARIUS VICTORINUS: Truly like a father, like a servant of God, he has renounced that one of his two desires which was to be more profitable to himself alone, namely, that he should now depart and be with Christ. … He says “I shall remain,” and he adds the stronger form “I shall continue.” This means: “I shall stay until the completion, that is, the completion of your progress, so that you may obtain grace. Thus when you present your faith, you may receive grace from God.” EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 1.25.

REMAINING WITH YOU. CHRYSOSTOM: He brings them into his confidence by explaining his reasoning: “It is absolutely necessary that I remain, and not only remain but remain with you. … If so, then I remain for your sake. But take care that you do not put my fidelity to shame.” OMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 4.1.24.

HIS PREDICTION CAME TRUE. THEODORET: In saying “I know that I shall remain and continue with you all” he means: “I know that I shall escape the present danger, so as to be once again a source of profit and encouragement to you. So you will have received what you desire.” This prediction indeed came true. For he escaped the anger of Nero on the first occasion, as he shows in his letters to the blessed Timothy. … From Rome he went to Spain and took the gospel to them also, then returned and was only later beheaded. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 1.25.

1:26 | Giving Cause to Glory

YOUR GLORY IS TO EXULT IN CHRIST. MARIUS VICTORINUS: This means: “Your glory will abound in me. For I will be present to see how your glory exults and abounds in Christ. I will see how you love Christ, how you serve Christ and how you rejoice in your service to Christ.” PISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 1.26.

THAT YOUR BOAST MAY ABOUND. CHRYSOSTOM: What does he mean “that your boast may abound?” All there was to glory in was their being established in the faith. This is what it means to boast in Christ, to live rightly. … He means “so that I may have more to boast of in you. … As you improve, I have more to boast of.” HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 4.1.26.