Philippians 1:21-30 - Living Is Christ

²¹ For, with me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² But since to live means a longer stay on earth, that implies more labour for me--and not unsuccessful labour; and which I am to choose I cannot tell. ²³ I am in a dilemma, my earnest desire being to depart and be with Christ, for that is far, far better. ²⁴ But for your sakes it is more important that I should still remain in the body. ²⁵ I am convinced of this, and I know that I shall remain, and shall go on working side by side with you all, to promote your progress and joy in the faith; ²⁶ so that, as Christians, you may have additional reason for glorying about me as the result of my being with you again.

²⁷ Only let the lives you live be worthy of the Good News of the Christ, in order that, whether I come and see you or, being absent, only hear of you, I may know that you are standing fast in one spirit and with one mind, fighting shoulder to shoulder for the faith of the Good News. ²⁸ Never for a moment quail before your antagonists. Your fearlessness will be to them a sure token of impending destruction, but to you it will be a sure token of your salvation--a token coming from God. ²⁹ For you have had the privilege granted you on behalf of Christ--not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf; ³⁰ maintaining, as you do, the same kind of conflict that you once saw in me and which you still hear that I am engaged in.