Paul's Understanding Of Life And Death Analysis

Beginning this new section of text Paul attracts attention to his own understanding of life and death, regardless of what others may believe about them. The first term used is ζωή and it has a variety of meanings but its classical usage in Greek is to describe “the physical vitality of organic beings, animals, men and also plants” (Kittle, 832). This profound word has no plural form and is expressed parallel to movement. Movement in its simplest terms is shallow but the comparison between ζωή and movement is vast. This movement is not merely spatial movement but self-movement in comparison to mechanical movement (Kittle, 833). The cause of life in this sense is not given by man such as a machine is given life but the soul is the source of life when mutually cooperating with a body. “The …show more content…
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