But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
'But if (since) to live in the flesh (as opposed to "die," departing out of the flesh) (if) this (continuance in life) be the fruit of my labour (i:e., be the necessary condition of fruit from ministerial labour), then х kai (G2532)] what I shall choose I know [gnoorizo: discern] not' (if the choice were given me, both alternatives, being great goods alike). So Alford and Ellicott. The Greek will bear the English version by an ellipsis, 'If to live in the flesh (be my portion), this (continuing to live) is the fruit of my labour' - i:e., will be the occasion of my bringing in 'fruit of (from apostolic) labour.' Grotius takes 'the fruit of labour' as an idiom. If I live in the flesh, this is worth my while, for thus Christ's interests will be advanced, "For to me to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21: cf. Philippians 2:30; Romans 1:13). The second alternative-namely, dying-is handled, Philippians 2:17, "if I be offered."