In the last paragraph the apostle Paul has described his joy in suffering. His joy came from knowing that the gospel was advancing through what he was experiencing. His joy also came from knowing that his faith was only being strengthened to bring about his spiritual deliverance. Paul spoke this way because for him to live is Christ and to die is gain. His whole life is about Jesus and death is the fulfillment of all that this life is about: to be with Jesus. Paul was not a fatalist or desiring to die but understood that the purpose of his life was to serve Christ. But now Paul says that there is one thing that matters. There is one thing that is absolutely important for their walk with the Lord. Turn to Philippians 1:27 to see what this is.
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