Philippians 1:23
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's articulation of his 'strait' — desiring 'to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better' yet remaining for the sake of the Philippians — is the New Testament's most explicit statement of personal eschatological hope in the immediate post-mortem state. The Greek 'analysai' ('to depart') was used for striking camp, loosing a ship from moorings, or releasing from prison — all images of liberation rather than cessation. The comparative 'far better' (pollō mallon kreisson) suggests that present life in Christ is already surpassingly good, and the communion awaiting beyond death exceeds even that. 2 Corinthians 5:8 ('to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord') and Luke 23:43 ('today shalt thou be with me in paradise') provide parallel expressions of the same confident interim hope.
Other Translations
But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:
for I am pressed by the two, having the desire to depart, and to be with Christ, for it is far better,
I am in a hard position between the two, having a desire to go away and be with Christ, which is very much better:
Cross References
And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the …
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within …
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there …
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: