Pentecost Season · Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A
Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a
Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
September 20, 2026
Overview & Insights
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
Paul’s Present Situation The Christians of Philippi were deeply concerned about Paul. They cherished a warm affection for him; they knew that he was now in custody awaiting trial and that his case was due to come up for hearing soon before the supreme tribunal of the empire. How was he faring right now? And what would be the outcome of the hearing when once it took place? How, moreover, would its outcome serve to advance the gospel throughout the Roman world?
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Commentary
Philippians 1:21-30 Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on Paul weighing life against gain from prison.
Philippians 1 - To Live Is Christ Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical study of life, death, and worthy citizenship.
Philippians 1:18b-24 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse-level study helps and Greek word notes covering the to-live-is-Christ passage.
Philippians 1:21 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on living and dying for Christ.
Philippians 1:21 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further voice.
Second Reading Study, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) Agape Bible Study
A Catholic study of Paul's confidence that living or dying he belongs to Christ.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Where is Paul when he writes this?
Paul writes Philippians from prison, uncertain whether he will live or die, and says either way he wins (Philippians 1:21–24). He urges the church to live “worthy of the gospel” whatever they suffer.
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