A commentary of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle to the PhilippiansA commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine vppon the Epistle to the Philippians

22 But if to live. Even as desperate men are in a perplexity whether they should still prolong their life in misery, or finish their sorrows by death: so contrariwise, Paul with an equal mind saith, that he is prepared as well for death as for life, because the estate of both is blessed unto the faithful, so that he is doubtful whether to choose. If it be profitable, that is to say, if I know that the profit of my life is greater than the profit of my death, I see not whether I should rather desire. He putteth, To live in the flesh. by a contempt, in comparison of a better life. 23 For I am distressed. Paul did not desire to live for any other reward, then to serve to the glory of Christ, and to profit his brethren. Therefore he esteemeth no other profit in this life, than the salvation of his brethren: but for himself privately he acknowledgeth that it is better to dye quickly, because he should be with Christ. In his desire he showeth with how great love he is inflamed. He doth not speak here of earthly commodities, but of the spiritual good, which especially of the godly is carefully to be wished for. Notwithstanding Paul, as it were forgetting himself, doth not only contain himself in the middest, least he should more decline to his own benefit, than the benefit of the Philippians: but at length concludeth, that he weigheth their estate in his heart. And this is truly to live and dye unto Christ, when neglecting our selves, we are carried whether Christ calleth us. Desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ. These two things are jointly to ⟨p. 21⟩be read together, for death of it self will never be wished for, because the desire thereof fighteth with the sense of nature: but it is desired for some cause, or for some other end. Desperate men fly unto it thorough weariness of their life, but the faithful hasten unto it willingly, because it delivereth them from the bondage of sin, and is a passage unto the kingdom of heaven. This is it that Paul now saith: I desire to dye, because by this means I shall come to be joined with Christ: yet the faithful cease not to be afraid of death, but when they turn their eyes unto that life that followeth after death, by this consolation they easily overcome that fear.

22 But if to liue. Euen as desperate men are in a perplexitie whether they should still prolong their life in miserie, or finish their sorrowes by death: so contrarywise, Paule with an equall mind saith, that he is prepared as well for death as for life, because the estate of both is blessed vnto the faithfull, so that he is doubtfull whether to choose. If it be profitable, that is to saie, if I knowe that the profite of my life is greater than the profite of my death, I sée not whether I shoulde rather desire. He putteth, To liue in the fleshe. by a contempt, in comparison of a better life. 23 For I am distressed. Paule did not desire to lyue for anie other rewarde, then to serue to the glorie of Christe, and to profite hys brethren. Therefore hée estéemeth no other profite in thys lyfe, than the saluation of hys brethren: but for hymselfe priuately hée acknowledgeth that it is better to dye quicklie, because hée shoulde bée wyth Christ. In hys desire hée sheweth with how great loue hée is enflamed. Hée doth not speake héere of earthlie commodities, but of the spirituall good, which especiallie of the godlie is carefullie to be wished for. Notwithstanding Paule, as it were forgetting hymselfe, doth not onely contayne himselfe in the middest, least he should more decline to his owne benefite, than the benefite of the Philippians: but at length concludeth, that he weigheth theyr estate in his heart. And this is truely to liue and dye vnto Christ, when neglecting our selues, we are carried whether Christ calleth vs. Desiring to be losed and to be with Christ. These two things are iointly to