In the previous blog we saw why Paul considered his death to be gain. That was not because he would immediately ‘go to heaven’ when he died. His death would mean gain for his mission: the cause of Christ.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if it is to live in the flesh, then this is to me fruit of labor; and which I shall prefer, I do not make known!
I do not make it known
Most translations render the last part of verse 22 as: which I shall prefer, I do not know, but that is incorrect. Paul did not make it known whether he had a preference for life or death. That was not up to Him, but to God. What he does make known is the following:
23 But I am compelled by the two. (I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is much better.)
24 But it is more necessary for you to remain in the flesh.
with Christ
The two, to live or to die, pressed him, Paul was confronted with that in practice. Dying would mean gain for the cause of Christ, if he remained alive, this would give fruit of his work (:22) and he found that more necessary because of the Philippians. But what he really desired is a third option, which he does make known in a parenthetical sentence.
In most translations rendered as: I desire to depart and be with Christ. The word that is rendered as departing, literally means to break away, or to be loosed (Greek: ana-lusai , which is literally: upward-loosened) and to be with Christ.
The upward-loosening, takes place when the Lord comes from heaven, to change our lowly body and make it conformable to the body of His glory (Phil. 3:20-21). At that time the dead in Christ will be raised and caught up, together with those who are still living, in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and we will always be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17). Paul looked forward to this moment and chose it above dying or remaining in the flesh.