CALVIN ON PHILIPPIANS 1:21

It is John Calvin's 500th birthday year, so we will give the great commentator a viewing. I chose a Philippian passage because I am preparing to preach a series on the book. At least we can say that Calvin on this passage will make us think. He has a view that is different here, but he backs it up with scholarship. So we have to at least be thorough if we take an opposing view. Calvin, born 1509, was like that. He worked diligently for Christ, and he will make you work also.

Philippians 1:21: "For to me to live." Interpreters have hitherto, in my opinion, given a wrong rendering and exposition to this passage; for they make this distinction, that Christ was life to Paul, and death was gain. I, on the other hand, make Christ the subject of discourse in both clauses, so that he is declared to be gain in him both in life and in death; for it is customary with the Greeks to leave the word pros to be understood. Besides that this meaning is less forced, it also corresponds better with the foregoing statement, and contains more complete doctrine. He declares that it is indifferent to him, and is all one, whether he lives or dies, because, having Christ, he reckons both to be gain. And assuredly it is Christ alone that makes us happy both in death and in life; otherwise, if death is miserable, life is in no degree happier; so that it is difficult to determine whether it is more advantageous to live or to die out of Christ. On the other hand, let Christ be with us, and he will bless our life as well as our death, so that both will be happy and desirable for us. (From Calvin on Ephesians-Jude; AP&A Edition, 1972).