Life

 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
Philippians 1:22 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/php.1.22.ESV

For Paul to live was Christ, to die was gain. As long as he lived in the flesh, he fruitfully laboured for Christ and His Kingdom. He knew however that the ultimate goal was to be with Christ forevermore.

Even though at the time of writing Paul was imprisoned, he knew that as long as there was breath in his lungs, there was work for him to do for God. If he hadn't have been incarcerated, he might never have penned his letters that have been immortalised in Scriptures, to the blessing of countless millions.

I think Paul knew deep down that the choice of life of death was not his to make. Ultimately, he would shuffle off life's stage when Christ called him home. Until then, he would work for Him.

It is generally accepted by experts that Philippians is one of Paul's earlier letters. So his hunch that he still had fruitful service to come was likely correct. He had more wisdom to be immortalised in God's word, by His Spirit.

'Almighty God, may our lives be for You, and our deaths be doorways to immortality. For Jesus's sake, amen'

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