ACC ~ Philippians 1 v21

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.

Phil