Philippians 1 - Paul hated sin in his life so much, he did not want to stay in his body. 2016

Phil 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Phil 1:22
But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.

Phil 1:23
But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

Phil 1:24
yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

Paul was not happy with his life. I am sure that his prison life contributed to his feelings at this time. He felt that he would be better off dead than alive just to escape sin within him. We tend to grasp onto our lives with everything in our being. But Paul hated sin in his life so much, he did not want to stay in his body. He would rather die and be with Messiah at the resurrection.

Romans 7:21-24 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good. 22For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?