Richard Sibbes

Christ is Best (Pocket Puritans) Richard Sibbes

The apostle Paul here had a double desire, one in regard of himself, to be with Christ; another, out of his love of God?s church and people, to abide still in the flesh; and between these two he is in a great strait, not knowing which to choose. But the love of the church of Christ triumphed in him, above the love of his own salvation, so as he was content, out of self-denial, to want the joys of heaven for a time, that he might yet further comfort the people of God.
In the words you have, 1, St Paul?s straits: 2, his desires that caused them, as in regard of himself, which was to be with Christ; so, in respect of the church of God, which was to abide still here, 3, the reasons of both, (1) to be with Christ is far better for me, (2) to abide in the flesh more needful for you; and 4, his resolution upon all, being willing for the church?s good still to abide here, rather than go to heaven and enjoy his own happiness. St Paul?s soul was as a ship, between two winds, tossed up and down, and as iron between two loadstones, drawn first one way, then another; the one loadstone was his own good, to be in heaven; the other was the good of God?s people, to abide still in the flesh.