What Did Paul Mean by “To Depart and Be with Christ”?

If I remain living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me, and what I must choose (lit. shall choose), I do not know (lit. I am not making known). I am being pressed from both sides: I desire to depart and to be with Christ, for this is by far the best; but to remain still in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
Philippians 1:21-24 NBG51

Paul first speaks about two possibilities: remaining alive or dying. Which of these he himself prefers, he does not write. What he does make known is this: he desires to depart and to be with Christ. This latter thing is by far the best. By “to depart” (Greek: ana’luo), Paul therefore can by no means mean dying. This third option points to the moment when the Lord Jesus Christ will come from the heavens and will transform our humiliated body to be conformed to His glorified body (Philippians 3:20,21). That is “the departing and being with Christ” that Philippians 1:23 is about.

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