For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. For. In either event (Philippians 1:20) I must gain, "For to me," etc.
To live is Christ. 'Life is but another name for Christ' (Peile) (Galatians 2:20). There faith is the prominent idea; here, works. Living, in my realization of it, consists only in union with, and devotion to, Christ. My whole being and activities are His (Ellicott).
To die is gain - not the act of dying, but, as to apothanein, 'to have died,' expresses, the state after death. Besides Christ's glorification by my death, which is my primary object (Philippians 1:20), the change of state caused by death, so far from being a shame (Philippians 1:20) or loss, as my enemies suppose, will be a positive "gain" to me.