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Pentecost Season · Proper 20 · Year A

Philippians 1:21-30

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

September 20, 2026

The Apostle Paul in Prison, Rembrandt van Rijn
The Apostle Paul in Prison, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1627Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
An old man sitting on the floor of a cell with the books open across his knees and the sword behind him, stopped mid-sentence with the pen still in his hand.For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.Rembrandt van RijnRembrandt at twenty-one, painting the thinking rather than the writing.Staatsgalerie StuttgartThe Staatsgalerie Stuttgart.Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 20:1-16Mt 20:1-16
EpistlePhil. 1:21-30Phil 1:21-30
Old TestamentExod. 16:2-15Ex 16:2-15Alt. OTJonah 3:10-4:11Jon 3:10-4:11
PsalterPs. 105:1-6, 37-45Ps 105:1-6, 37-45Alt. PsalmPs. 145:1-8Ps 145:1-8

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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Take it further: Philippians 1:21-30

Commentary

Working Preacher: Philippians 1:21-30Working Preacher: Phil 1:21-30 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary exegesis of Paul's reevaluation of life and death from prison.

CEP: Philippians 1:21-30CEP: Phil 1:21-30 Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on Paul's joy and call to worthy citizenship.

Enduring Word: Philippians 1Enduring Word: Phil 1 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the chapter.

Precept Austin: Philippians 1:18-24 CommentaryPrecept Austin: Phil 1:18-24 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse-level study helps and Greek word notes covering the to-live-is-Christ passage.

BibleHub: Philippians 1:21 CommentariesBibleHub: Phil 1:21 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries on living and dying for Christ.

Background & Word Study

BibleHub Interlinear: Philippians 1:21BibleHub Interlinear: Phil 1:21 BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for the language of life, death, and gain.

BibleProject: Philippians OverviewBibleProject: Phil Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Paul's prison letter to the Philippians.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Philippians 1Catena: Phil 1 Catena

Patristic comment chain gathering the Fathers on the chapter.

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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