… but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
Summary: This meditation considers what Paul means by saying he can “depart” (Verse 23) or “remain in the body.”
Paul’s words are quite clear in this passage. The discussion of whether or not he should “remain in the body” clearly implies that the alternative is to leave the body.
What does this mean?
People argue about the meaning, of course, but to my eye, the answer seems clear enough.
In order to create the universe and all that is in it, God had to preexist the creation. The stuff of God is called “spirit” (John 4:24). The beginning of Genesis describes the beginning of the physical realm (Genesis 1:1). These two realms are very different. They are both real, but since we are born into the physical realm, instead of being created as spiritual beings like angels, we experience life in the physical realm. The physical is all we know.
Jesus talks about this in his discussion with Nicodemus. He says, “ I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” (John 3:12)
How indeed?
Spiritual things are invisible to our physical eyes, but that doesn’t mean we cannot “see” into the spiritual realm. Paul describes this in his letter to the Corinthians. He writes:
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
In other words, God can see us, but we can’t see him. That “mirror” Paul talks about is a one-way mirror!
As Paul nears the end of his life, he seems sharply aware of the limits on our human flesh. Sooner or later, his end will arrive. In the prior verses, we see him wrestling with this fact. “What shall I choose?,” he asks (Philippians 1:22).
Perhaps the best illustration we have of the spiritual is our thought life. In our minds, we can imagine anything. Children, especially, have rich imaginations. Our thoughts may seem “real” to us, but to everyone else, they are … nothing. We can imagine a color, a flower, or a cloud, but no one else can “see” what we see until we tell them or draw them a picture.
In my mind, I imagine the spiritual realm is like the world I experience in my thoughts. Life without my body would mean I could fly like a bird, swim like a fish, and jump over the moon.
That sounds funny to talk about, doesn’t it?
In Luke’s account of Stephen’s trial before the Sanhedrin, the Bible says:
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” (Acts 7:55-56)
For a moment, Stephen was allowed to see into the heavenly realm. No one else could see what he saw, but he definitely saw it. Then, he declared it. Then, he lived it.
Application: Trust God’s plan. Life in the spirit is a very real thing.
Food for Thought: Paul says it is necessary to remain in the body. What would happen to the Philippians and others if Paul did not remain in the body?
Paul remaining in the body appears to be God’s plan and will to build and encourage the church body. While they don’t need Paul, they do need God. And they certainly need God’s plan for them. This is true for all of us. We all need the Lord and depend on His plan for our daily lives. To accomplish this He will use His word, other people, etc.
Thank you, Rich!
I like how you point us to God’s plan, or will, rather than our own. I think Paul is modeling this for us.
Paul says it is necessary to remain in the body. What would happen to the Philippians and others if Paul did not remain in the body?
Pauls teachings would not be the inspired words of God, would have no power and would not have been preserved in our bible. God would have selected another person to communicate His truths to this world.
One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: ‘Power belongs to you, God.’” Psalm 62:11
I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2
Gods desires, His will for all mankind, are the foundation for the creation of all things we see, and will take priority over our desires. He knows our names, he knows the number of hairs on our head and His desire is for all His created beings to dwell in Him for all eternity. At the same time He has given mankind free will to choose life with Him of eternal death.
His will shall be done no matter what powers may choose to be against Him.
Thank you, Ron!
Like Rich, you are pointing us to the fact that we, like Paul, need to submit to God’s will. As you point out, God’s will is done no matter what.
I believe Paul was raised up by the Lord for His purpose at the right time. This means Paul was given a work in Christ that gave Paul joy, but also guided others to truth, hope, and joy in Christ. He was chosen specifically to use the talents and abilities that God had given him for that specific purpose. Whereas some may look at what Paul has written and think that his life serving Christ presented a burden to him, I believe Paul viewed it as it was intended by God: a gift of service out of love. He labored for Christ out of love for Christ and compassion for others. He was driven to make sure the truth about Christ was understood. His passion for Christ and others meant that he was effective for Christ. God placed Paul where he would need to be at the right time and place for that efficacy.
Your question made me think of Jonah actually. He was called to deliver a message but tried to go in the opposite direction. God still placed him where He wanted him to be, albeit, Jonah was considerably less joyful.
Paul’s passion for Christ and compassion for others made him the right man at the right place at the right time. The joy and hope in which he wrote amplified the message of Christ.
Thank you, Chris!
Welcome back! 🙂
Your comment about Jonah made me smile. 🙂 You are right — as Ron points out, God’s will will be done!