John Calvin Commentary Philippians 1:21

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." — Philippians 1:21 (ASV)

For to me to live. Interpreters have until now, in my opinion, given a wrong rendering and exposition to this passage; for they make this distinction: that Christ was life to Paul, and death was gain.

I, on the other hand, make Christ the subject of discourse in both clauses, so that gain is declared to be found in him, both in life and in death; for it is customary with the Greeks to leave the word πρός to be understood. Besides being less forced, this meaning also corresponds better with the preceding statement and contains more complete doctrine.

He declares that it is indifferent to him whether he lives or dies, because, having Christ, he reckons both to be gain.

And assuredly, it is Christ alone who makes us happy both in death and in life. Otherwise, if death is miserable, life is in no degree happier, so that it is difficult to determine whether it is more advantageous to live or to die out of Christ. On the other hand, let Christ be with us, and he will bless our life as well as our death, so that both will be happy and desirable for us.