Charles Spurgeon Commentary Philippians 1:22

"But if to live in the flesh, --[if] this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not." — Philippians 1:22 (ASV)

But if I live in the flesh,

That is a very different thing from living to the flesh.

But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I know not. For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

What a happy church is that where the members all stand fast in one spirit, and where they are all with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;—not striving with each other, but all fighting for the faith once for all delivered to the saints!

This is the fruit of my labour;

He lived to work for Christ, and to see souls saved as the fruit of his labour.