Philippians 1:24 – The Invisible Realm

A picture of a single cloud in a blue sky. (Pixabay)

…  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? 

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Philippians 1:23 – The Power of the Vine

Picture of grapes on a grapevine (Pixabay)

I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…

Summary: Understanding the power of the Gospel is the key to understanding what happens after our bodies die. 

Many of you who are reading this have much more experience with death than I do. Some people are better suited to dealing with trauma than others. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the number of deaths this past year. Many of those who are dying are afraid, but every now and then, you hear of people who, like Paul, “desire to depart and be with Christ.” 

One of those who were ready to meet Jesus was a woman I knew personally. Her name was Louise, and she was deeply in love with Jesus. It showed in everything she did. She was amazing. 

My wife and I visited with her a few days before she passed. She was weak and tired. The disease that took her life was draining her strength as well, but she was also joyful and radiant. As far as I know, she received visitors up until the day she died. Everyone who took the time to visit left encouraged by her anticipation of being with her Lord. 

This attitude toward death is not natural. 

The flesh doesn’t want to die because it senses that when death comes it loses all power—the flesh glories in being able to get things for itself. The flesh delights in being able to manipulate and control others. When death comes, the flesh loses everything. 

The cure for this fear of death is Jesus. He showed us that the power of God is not cut off at death. Instead, Jesus has the cure for death. It is called “true life.” (John 11:25-26)

As someone who tends to overthink things, I have pondered what this means. What is this difference between “death” and “life” that the Bible talks about? 

In the simplest terms, Jesus explains that we are like branches on a grapevine (John 15:5). As long as we are connected to the vine, we have life. The vine supplies everything we need. If we become separated from the vine, we fall to the ground. 

For a while, the branch that has fallen remains green. This is what life in the flesh is like. We imagine that we can live without being connected to the vine. Of course, that doesn’t work. Without the life-giving nutrients from the vine, the branch on the ground begins to dry out. It becomes brittle and inflexible and, when completely dry, is only fit for the fire. 

Is the green branch on the ground doomed? 

It doesn’t have to be. 

Jesus can graft it back into the vine if we allow him to. Paul did, and so did Louise. Their lives and attitudes are testimonies to the power of the Vine, Jesus Christ. 

Application: Seek Jesus every day. 

Food for Thought: Why is Paul so confident that he will actually be with Jesus after he dies? 

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Philippians 1:21 – Paul’s Dilemma

A picture of Paul as an old man, sitting in a Roman prison in 64 AD. He is resting his chin on his right hand and his eyes are looking up to heaven as he deeply ponders his future. (Grok)

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!

Summary: Paul reflects on his impending death and how to use his remaining time effectively.

Paul’s dilemma is an interesting one. 

On the one hand, “to die is Christ.” Paul knows that to be released from the body of flesh means that he can be fully present with the Jesus he first met on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). 

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Philippians 1:21 – The Fish and the Camel

a picture of a goldfish in a fishbowl and a camel in profile staring at each other from opposite sides of the glass. (Grok)

 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Summary: Death and dying are subjects most people don’t like to talk about, yet each of us will have to confront death at some point. In this passage, Paul’s words give us a clue as to what is waiting for us on the other side of the doorway called death. 

When is dying a “good” thing? 

Paul seems to be wrestling with this question as he considers the pros and cons of life in the flesh compared to life in the spirit. 

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Philippians 1:20d – Choosing Life

The father of the Prodigal Son embraces him (Luke 15:11-24) -- Grok

… whether by life or by death.

Summary: This passage brings us to an interesting crossroads between one kind of “life and death” and another. 

It is, perhaps, time to review Paul’s entire thought here: 

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

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Philippians 1:20c – Doing What’s Right

Jesus entering a tent (Grok)

[I eagerly expect and hope that…] that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, 

Summary: Paul continues to set an example for us with his life and words. 

Paul certainly has a way with words! 

If you were going to exalt someone or something, how would you do that? For example, if you are a Muslim and you want to exalt Allah, you prostrate yourself in the direction of Mecca during prayer. This demonstrates respect with your body. 

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Philippians 1:20b – Bold Assurance

Word cloud generated based on Philippians 1:19-21 using "wordclouds.com"

[I eagerly expect and hope that I…] will have sufficient courage…

Summary: The word “courage” is an interesting choice for a translation of the Greek word Paul used. As we examine the Greek, we discover that there is more to this passage than a desire to be brave. 

Do you have “sufficient courage?” Do you know anybody who does? 

Whatever the word “courage” means to you, it probably does not capture the essence of what Paul was trying to say. 

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Philippians 1:20a – All the Difference

A child puts coins ("small change") into a piggy bank (Pixabay)

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed…

Summary: Paul’s hope of being free of shame is a beacon of light for all believers who share his hope in Jesus Christ. 

Ashamed by what? 

I kinda hate to write on this topic for personal reasons. You see, I have a shame problem! Throughout my long life, I have been shamed by others for many reasons. 

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Philippians 1:19b – Deliverance

Picture of a man running a race (Pixabay)

… what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Summary: It turns out that Paul’s statement about deliverance is not as simple as it sounds. Exploring the possible meanings of the word opens doors to better understanding our role as Christians. 

What does Paul need to be delivered from? 

The easy answer to this question is that Paul is in prison, and he wants to be released, free to pursue his mission of spreading the Gospel. Unfortunately, that doesn’t feel very satisfying. 

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Philippians 1:18d-19a – Alive and Well

picture of a sailboat on the water illustrating that God's Spirit is like the wind (pixabay)

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ… 

Summary: In this passage, Paul points to a higher power: the Spirit of Jesus. 

In this passage, Paul summarizes his letter so far and adds one important point: Success does not depend on him. 

The nature of God is defined by love (agapẽ). The Apostle John tells us, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). 

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