²¹For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²²If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; ²⁴but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

When the apostle Paul referred to his death, he spoke of “departing.” That word conjures up images of loosening the moorings of a ship and setting sail; of untying the ropes of a tent, pulling up the stakes and moving on. For Paul, death was nothing more than a journey from one place to another, far better, lace. While he was her on earth Paul would point others to Jesus Christ. After death, he would be in the presence of Jesus. Paul’s words give us a glimpse of Paul’s passion for his Savior and his intense desire that Jesus would perform kingdom work through him.