Jesus nor the angels have never returned for anyone after His ascending to sit at the right hand of the Father being our mediator before God, John 3:13. The resurrection of the dead has not happened yet as it is only our breath/spirit that returns back to God who gave it when this physical body returns to the dust of the ground from where it came from, Genesis 2:7; Ecc 12:7. No one is resurrected until the one and only return of Christ who calls His Bride to meet Him in the air and then forever we will be with Him in all of Gods glory, John 5:28, 29; John 6:40; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Those, like the thief on the cross, who believe in Christ as Lord and Savior, that have already physically died have the promise that they will be with Christ when He returns.
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
I respectfully disagree,
for_his_glory, and I can provide numerous examples, but I have a feeling you might not be open to considering them.
To Live Is Christ
Php 1:18 What is the result? [Literally “for what”] Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. But also I will rejoice,
Php 1:19 for I know that this will turn out to me for deliverance through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Php 1:20 according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will be put to shame in nothing, but with all boldness, even now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether through life or through death.
Php 1:21
For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Php 1:22 But if it is to live in the flesh, this is fruitful work for me, and which I will prefer I do not know.
Php 1:23
But I am hard pressed between the two options [Literally “by the two”], having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for this is very much better [Literally “for this is more better by much”].
Php 1:24 But to stay on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
Php 1:25 And because I am [*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“convinced”) which is understood as causal] convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
Php 1:26 so that what you can be proud of may increase in Christ Jesus because of me through my return again to you.
(NA28 Greek Text):
Ἐπὶ τὰ δύο συνέχομαι, τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν ἔχων εἰς τὸ ἀναλῦσαι καὶ σὺν Χριστῷ εἶναι, πολλῷ γὰρ μᾶλλον κρεῖσσον.
"But I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better." (ESV)
1. Grammatical Analysis:
Ἐπὶ τὰ δύο (Epi ta dyo) - "between the two"
Ἐπὶ (Epi) - Preposition meaning "upon" or "between" in context.
τὰ δύο (ta dyo) - Accusative neuter plural, "the two (things/options)."
Insight: Paul is expressing tension between two possibilities: continuing life or departing to be with Christ.
συνέχομαι (synechomai) - Present Passive Indicative, 1st Person Singular - "I am hard pressed"
Root: συνέχω (synechō) - "to hold together, constrain, or press."
Insight: The verb in the present passive indicates a continuous internal pressure or compulsion. Paul feels a strong, ongoing tension.
τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν ἔχων (tēn epithymian echōn) - "having the desire"
ἐπιθυμίαν (epithymian) - Accusative Feminine Singular, "desire" or "longing"
ἔχων (echōn) - Present Active Participle, Masculine Nominative Singular - "having"
Insight: This desire is not just a fleeting thought but an ongoing inner longing.
εἰς τὸ ἀναλῦσαι (eis to analȳsai) - "to depart"
ἀναλῦσαι (analȳsai) - Aorist Active Infinitive - "to depart" or "to break up."
Root: ἀναλύω (analyō) - Commonly used for loosening or breaking camp (metaphorically, departing from life).
Insight: The aorist infinitive indicates a one-time action or moment of departure.
καὶ σὺν Χριστῷ εἶναι (kai syn Christō einai) - "and to be with Christ"
σὺν (syn) - Preposition meaning "with"
Χριστῷ (Christō) - Dative Masculine Singular - "Christ"
εἶναι (einai) - Present Infinitive - "to be"
Insight: The dative case emphasizes union or association with Christ, indicating intimate fellowship.
πολλῷ γὰρ μᾶλλον κρεῖσσον (pollō gar mallon kreisson) - "for it is far better"
πολλῷ (pollō) - Dative Neuter Singular, "by much" or "far"
μᾶλλον (mallon) - Comparative Adverb, "more"
κρεῖσσον (kreisson) - Comparative Adjective, Neuter Singular - "better"
Insight: The structure "by much more better" (literal) is an emphatic way to highlight the surpassing value of being with Christ.
Paul is expressing a profound inner conflict between two equally compelling options: continuing his ministry on earth or departing to be with Christ.
This verse is part of Paul’s larger reflection on whether it would be better to live (for fruitful labor) or die (to be with Christ) (Philippians 1:21-24).
The verb ἀναλῦσαι (to depart) carries the imagery of loosening from life’s burdens and moving to a better state.
The phrase "to be with Christ" indicates immediate fellowship with Jesus upon departure from earthly life.
Paul’s statement reflects confident assurance of being with Christ immediately after death (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:8 - "to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord").
Paul is expressing his internal conflict: he desires to continue ministering on earth for the sake of the believers but also longs to depart and be with Christ, which he acknowledges as "much better". The language is vivid and forceful, emphasizing that being with Christ is not merely better, but vastly superior to any earthly existence.
1) "For I am in a strait betwixt two"
(sunechomai de ek ton duo) "Yet I am constrained by the duo, the two." Paul expressed sentiment that he was held in or hemmed in on both sides, of good and evil; an expression of the conflict of the will of the Spirit and the will of the flesh in the saved person, until death, Rom_7:15-25. The choice is clear, Gal_5:25.
2) "Having a desire to depart" (ten epithumian echon eis to analusai) "Having, holding, containing, or possessing the desire to depart, to be let loose to go up," 2Co_5:2; 2Co_5:8.
3) "And to be with Christ"
(kai sun christo einai) "And to be in close affinity and proximity with Christ;" Joh_14:1-3; 2Co_5:8-9; 1Th_4:17.
4) "Which is far better" (pollo gar mallon kreissa) "Which is by far much better." Where there is joy and where there are pleasures forevermore, without ceasing; Psa_16:11; untold blessings, fellowship, and wealth await the prepared, 1Co_2:9; who have proper reservations, 1Pe_1:4-9.
σὺν (syn)
Part of Speech: Preposition
Meaning: "With"
Case Governing: Dative
Function: Denotes association or companionship.
Contextual Use: Implies close, intimate union or companionship with Christ.
Literal Translation: "And to be with Christ"
Emphasis-- The phrase denotes not merely physical proximity but a relational and enduring presence.
The expression σὺν Χριστῷ εἶναι indicates that upon death, believers immediately enter into a continual and intimate fellowship with Christ.
To me, this is one of the clearest passages indicating where believers go when they die--καὶ σὺν Χριστῷ εἶναι (kai
syn Christō einai)--meaning "and to be with Christ."
God bless.
J.