Philippians 1:22
“But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If Paul goes on living, it means fruitful labor, and he hardly knows which to prefer.
What Does Philippians 1:22 Mean?
Paul weighs his two possible futures. To go on living in the flesh would mean continued fruitful labor among the churches; and faced with the choice between this and departing to be with Christ, he confesses he scarcely knows which to prefer.
His dilemma is unusual and beautiful. Most people cling to life and dread death; Paul finds both so good that he can hardly choose. To remain means meaningful work that bears fruit for others; to depart means being with the Lord. The word wot is old English for know, and Paul admits he does not know his own preference. This is the position of a heart wholly devoted to Christ, where even the choice between life and death becomes a choice between two goods.