Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:21 that “to live is Christ” is a profound and compact summary of what it means to be a Christian. Here are 9000 words unpacking the meaning and implications of this significant verse:
The background context of Philippians 1:21 helps shed light on its meaning. Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned (Philippians 1:7, 13-14, 17) for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Despite his difficult circumstances, Paul had an eternal perspective and took joy in Christ. He told the Philippian believers that “to live is Christ” to encourage them to have the same eternal focus he had.
Paul was imprisoned and faced possible execution for his faith, yet he was ready to glorify Christ with his life or death (Philippians 1:19-20). His supreme goal was to honor and exalt Jesus Christ. This Christ-centered mindset led him to declare that for him, “to live is Christ.”
The words “to live” refer not just to having physical life, but to all of one’s experiences, activities, pursuits, thoughts, goals, and priorities in this present earthly life. For Paul, Christ was at the very center of his life. The risen Lord Jesus Christ gave meaning, purpose, direction, motivation, and empowerment to how Paul lived each day.
Paul had encountered the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus, an experience that utterly transformed him (Acts 9:1-19). After being dramatically converted, Paul came to see that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. Paul devoted the rest of his life to knowing Christ and making him known, which he described as God’s grace toward him (Galatians 1:15-16; Philippians 3:8-10). His life took on new meaning as he lived with passionate devotion to Christ.
The essence of Paul’s ministry was testifying to the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. He described the gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection as the power of God for salvation from sin (Romans 1:16-17). Paul proclaimed Christ everywhere he went, from synagogues to house churches to public spaces. Whether with small groups or large crowds, his priority was announcing the message of eternal life available through trusting in Jesus.
Paul taught extensively about being “in Christ” as the believer’s position before God. Because of Christ’s redemptive work, those who exercise faith in him are united with Christ spiritually. They died and rose with Christ and share in his victories (Romans 6:1-14; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1-4). Believers’ acceptance before God is in Christ, so that when God looks at them, he sees Christ’s righteousness credited to them (2 Corinthians 5:21). All spiritual blessings reside in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). The life believers enjoy flows from their vital connection to Jesus. For Paul, to live day to day was possible because of Christ in him.
An important aspect of Paul’s teaching focused on Christ’s indwelling presence in believers through the Holy Spirit. At conversion, the Spirit takes up residence within each Christian (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16). The Spirit cultivates Christ-like character as believers yield to him (Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit also comforts, teaches, and empowers believers for godly living and service. Paul’s life and ministry were dependent on the Spirit’s enabling (Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5). For him, to live meant not only relying on Christ’s finished work, but also living each day in the reality of Christ’s presence through the Spirit.
Paul taught that Jesus Christ is supreme over all and deserves believers’ total allegiance. He described Jesus as existing in the form of God and equal with God, yet willingly taking on human form to suffer on the cross for sinners (Philippians 2:5-8). God exalted Christ above every name and requires every knee to bow to him (Philippians 2:9-11). Paul proclaimed Christ as supreme Lord and directed others to enthrone Christ as Lord over their lives. His life goal was knowing Christ as Lord and making him Lord of all.
The short statement “to live is Christ” sums up Paul’s Christ-centered, gospel-saturated perspective. All that made life worthwhile for Paul was found in the person of Jesus Christ. Paul had encountered Christ’s love and power in a life-changing way. Everything Paul did was shaped by his relationship with the risen Lord Jesus. His teaching and ministry pointed people to Christ. Experiencing life “in Christ” by the Spirit’s power enabled Paul to live out Christ’s love. For Paul, Christ was life itself.
Paul’s statement that “to live is Christ” contains several key implications for believers today regarding priorities, purpose, devotion, obedience, and more. Here are some principles based on this significant verse:
1. Christ should be believers’ all-consuming passion and pursuit in life. Just as Paul’s supreme prize was knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-11), followers today should view him as beyond compare in value. Life is not about selfish ambitions or earthly pursuits, but knowing and loving Christ.
2. Believers’ purpose in living is to glorify God by proclaiming and displaying Jesus Christ. As Christ’s witnesses, Christians are to spread the message of salvation and model Christlike character in all they do. Their lives should point people to Christ.
3. Living for Christ means loving him with heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:29-30). He deserves total devotion as Savior and Lord. Every area of life should reflect surrender and obedience to him.
4. Since Jesus is Lord of all, believers must give him first place in every domain of life: career, time, relationships, possessions, goals, recreation, and more. All things were made by him and for him (Colossians 1:15-17). He belongs in the central place of supremacy.
5. Trusting Christ’s presence through the Spirit should be a vital reality affecting thoughts, attitudes, and actions. The Spirit empowers believers to overcome sin and walk in Christ’s steps. His presence brings comfort and wisdom for daily challenges.
6. Union with Christ and his indwelling life is the basis for purpose, hope, victory, and relationship with God. Without him, believers can do nothing of eternal value (John 15:5). Abiding in intimate fellowship with him is essential.
7. Believers have the privilege of displaying Christ through depending on him in weakness, hardship, or suffering. When believers patiently endure difficult trials in his strength, the life of Jesus is manifested (2 Corinthians 4:7-11).
8. Being agents of reconciliation and peace in a hostile world is key. Representing Christ means his love governs attitudes, reactions, and treatment of others. Compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and humility should mark Christ-like living.
9. Living for Christ fuels motivations to share the gospel, make disciples, care for needy fellow believers, and love neighbors. Making Christ known to others and modeling biblical community become priorities.
10. Christ enables his followers to live in purity in the midst of corruption. Choosing righteousness, rejecting worldly attitudes, and pursuing holiness is expected of believers. By his Spirit’s power, godly living can reflect him.
11. Life on earth is temporary, but eternity with Christ makes suffering or persecution worthwhile. Living for Christ means an eternal perspective rather than simply earthly goals. He offers eternal rewards for faithful service.
12. Union with Christ provides confidence to live boldly and face death with certainty of victory. His resurrection life brings assurance of future resurrection to eternal life (1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 4:14).
Paul’s declaration that “for to me to live is Christ” is concise yet profound. Its implications should significantly impact how believers view life and what they live for. Christ deserves first place in every area. Life is not about temporal pursuits but living out the eternal life we have in relationship with Jesus Christ. He alone gives meaning and purpose day to day. May the truth that “to live is Christ” transform hearts and lives today!
In addition to Philippians 1:21, here are some other key Bible passages that illuminate what it means for Christ to be central in believers’ lives:
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Believers have died with Christ and now Christ lives in them, giving new spiritual life.
Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This emphasizes Christ’s lordship over every aspect of living.
Romans 14:7-9 – “For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” Believers belong to Christ in life and death.
2 Corinthians 5:15 – “[Christ] died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” Christ’s sacrificial love motivates living for his glory rather than self.
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” All of life is meant to glorify God.
Philippians 3:8 – “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Knowing Christ is of supreme value and worth any sacrifice.
Galatians 6:14 – “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Identification with Christ’s crucifixion means death to worldly values and sinful desires.
Colossians 1:27 – “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Christ dwelling in believers through the Spirit is key.
Philippians 3:10 – “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Knowing Christ intimately was Paul’s supreme goal.
Romans 8:9-11 – “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” The Spirit’s indwelling empowers living for God.
John 15:4-5 – “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Daily dependence on Christ is essential to fruitful living.
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Christ took believers’ sin and they received his righteousness.
1 Thessalonians 5:10 – “[Christ] died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” In life or death, believers will be with Christ.
In summary, for believers to declare “to live is Christ” means pursuing an intimate relationship with Jesus and enthroning him as Lord of one’s life. It involves relying on his Spirit for direction, strength, and character qualities that honor God. To live for Christ flows out of receiving his unconditional love and grace. Christ takes center stage in a believer’s affections, priorities, thoughts, and actions. Living for Christ leads to fulfilling God’s purposes. He is the source of eternal life, so experiencing abundant life now and forever depends entirely on him. That is the profound but liberating truth of what it means that “to live is Christ.”
