For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. (Phil. 1:21-24 ESV)
When we read Paul’s words in Philippians 1:21-24, they seem to paint a clear picture: Paul believes that when he passes from this life, he’ll immediately be with Christ. This passage has been a cornerstone for the idea that our souls go to heaven the moment we die. It’s a comforting thought, but what if we’ve been reading this through the lens of Greek philosophy rather than biblical teaching? The Bible’s view of the soul is quite different from Plato’s idea of an immortal soul trapped in a physical body.
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