Not only is he worried about what is better for him personally but also what is better for the congregation. With the Philippians in mind, Paul acknowledges that for him to remain is more necessary for their sakes. Therefore, Paul’s debate of life and death is separated into to conclusions: first, Paul yearns for the Philippians to direct their focus on being with Christ; second, he begins transitioning focus from his life to the Philippians by suggesting his return to Philippi. Following this conclusion, Paul infuses an extremely significant doctrine. This doctrine Paul is suggesting is a doctrine discussing life after death, namely, when Christians die, they immediately go into the presences of Christ. Although this doctrine is highly controversial, Paul is attempting to confront the problems he has being wrestling with one conclusion which is that death cannot in any way strip believers of their relationship with Christ. “Paul... is interested only in the fact that the Christian always remains in fellowship with his heavenly Lord” (Hawthorne, 51). This theme continues in the sections to
Not only is he worried about what is better for him personally but also what is better for the congregation. With the Philippians in mind, Paul acknowledges that for him to remain is more necessary for their sakes. Therefore, Paul’s debate of life and death is separated into to conclusions: first, Paul yearns for the Philippians to direct their focus on being with Christ; second, he begins transitioning focus from his life to the Philippians by suggesting his return to Philippi. Following this conclusion, Paul infuses an extremely significant doctrine. This doctrine Paul is suggesting is a doctrine discussing life after death, namely, when Christians die, they immediately go into the presences of Christ. Although this doctrine is highly controversial, Paul is attempting to confront the problems he has being wrestling with one conclusion which is that death cannot in any way strip believers of their relationship with Christ. “Paul... is interested only in the fact that the Christian always remains in fellowship with his heavenly Lord” (Hawthorne, 51). This theme continues in the sections to