Topical Bible: Death: Desired: Paul

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The Apostle Paul, a central figure in the New Testament, expressed a profound and complex relationship with the concept of death, particularly in the context of his desire to be with Christ. This desire is most explicitly articulated in his epistle to the Philippians, where he reflects on the tension between living in the flesh and departing to be with Christ.

In Philippians 1:21-23 , Paul writes, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 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! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed." Here, Paul acknowledges the fruitful work he can accomplish on earth but also reveals his deep longing to be united with Christ in death, which he considers "far better."

Paul's desire for death is not rooted in a morbid fascination or an escape from earthly troubles but rather in his unwavering faith and the hope of eternal life with Christ. His perspective on death is shaped by his understanding of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life, as he elaborates in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 : "Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

Paul's writings reflect a deep conviction that death is not the end but a transition to a more glorious existence with Christ. This belief is further underscored in his letter to the Romans, where he speaks of the hope of glory and the future redemption of the body (Romans 8:18-23). For Paul, the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed.

Moreover, Paul's desire for death is intertwined with his mission and purpose. In Philippians 1:24-26 , he acknowledges the necessity of remaining in the flesh for the sake of the believers: "But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my coming to you again, your exultation in Christ Jesus will resound on account of me."

Paul's longing for death, therefore, is balanced by his commitment to his apostolic mission and the well-being of the early Christian communities. His writings reveal a man who is fully devoted to Christ, whether in life or in death, and who views his earthly existence as an opportunity to serve and glorify God.

In summary, Paul's desire for death is a testament to his deep faith and hope in the promises of Christ. It reflects a mature understanding of life and death, where the ultimate goal is to be in the presence of the Lord. His writings continue to inspire believers to live with the same hope and assurance of eternal life.

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2 Corinthians 5:2,8
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed on with our house which is from heaven:
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Philippians 1:20-23
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
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Library

Alexander, Bishop of Constantinople, when at the Point of Death ...
... he named; that is to say, if they desired one who ... and of eminent piety, they should
elect Paul, whom he ... But after the death of that prelate, the issue of the ...
/.../chapter vi alexander bishop of constantinople.htm

On the Feast of St Paul the Apostle
... St Paul had so completely died unto himself and to ... knew nothing save Christ crucified;
and desired nothing, but ... forgotten by thee in the last journey of death. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xiii on the feast.htm

An Admirable Exhortation of S. Paul to the Ecstatic and Superhuman ...
... But finally, methinks S. Paul makes the most forcible, pressing and ... Saviour who died
for them, and his death is to ... which Jesus Christ dying for us desired of us ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii an admirable exhortation.htm

Paul Appeals to Caesar
... against Paul, and besought him, and desired favor against ... was nothing in the charges
against Paul, could they ... render him subject to sentence of death, or even ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 40 paul appeals to.htm

Paul's Sermon Before Felix
... sitting side by side upon the judgment-seat; Paul, the prisoner ... a judge extremely
willing to put the prisoner to death, because he desired to please the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/pauls sermon before felix.htm

Acts XXV
... before me?" It is possible that Festus still knew nothing of the plot to murder
Paul by the roadside; but he knew that the Jews desired his death, and he here ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxv.htm

Paul's Desire to Depart
... to a seared conscience have gone to their death with idiot ... he loved to serve his
Master, but he desired to be ... I ask you if you were in Paul's condition would ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/pauls desire to depart.htm

The Death of the Righteous
... He desired to know nothing but Christ, and him crucified ... wicked man's life is made
up of sin, so Paul's life was ... Christ were gone, my life would be a death to me ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the death of the.htm

Paul a Prisoner
... persecuting the disciples of Christ, even unto death; and he ... He had desired to labor
for his own nation ... listened with close attention, but when Paul reached the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 38 paul a prisoner.htm

That the Example of Certain Saints who Seem to have Exercised ...
... deprived of his grace, for this cannot be holily desired. ... declares, that though love
is strong as death, which makes a ... And the zeal of the great S. Paul was in ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xvi that the example.htm