Philippians 1:24
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
American Standard Version (ASV)
yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Still, to go on in the flesh is more necessary because of you.
Webster's Revision
Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
World English Bible
Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
English Revised Version (ERV)
yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
Clarke's Philippians 1:24 Bible Commentary
To abide in the flesh - It would certainly be gain to myself to die, but it will be a gain to you if I live. If I die I shall go immediately to glory; if I live I shall continue to minister to you, and strengthen you in the faith.
Barnes's Philippians 1:24 Bible Commentary
Nevertheless to abide in the flesh - To live. All this is language derived from the belief that the soul will be separate from the body at death, and will occupy a separate state of existence.
Is more needful for you - Another object that was dear to the heart of Paul. He never supposed that his life was useless; or that it was a matter of no importance to the cause of religion whether he lived or died. He knew that God works by means; and that the life of a minister of the gospel is of real value to the church and the world. His experience, his influence, his paternal counsels, he felt assured would be of value to the church, and he had, therefore, a desire to live - and it was no part of his religion affectedly to undervalue or despise himself.