<p>1:22 <i>But if by living in the flesh, this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I do not know</i>- &quot;I do not know&quot; can carry the sense of 'It is all the same'; which was his whole point (see on :20,21). The idea of Paul having a choice to live or die doesn't necessarily mean that he had control over his destiny at that point. He is saying that if he had a choice, it would be all the same what he chose, because his existence was a glorification of the Lord, both now and eternally. Yet if he had to choose, he reasons that he would come down on the idea of living a bit longer, because he saw that was more needful for the new converts (Phil. 1:21-23). This accounts for his emphasis in Philippians on how much he desired their growth; because he had chosen to stay alive in this mortal flesh <i>solely because</i> he wanted to achieve this. The tragedy was that all in Asia turned away- when he had &lsquo;risked&rsquo; remaining alive, with the full knowledge he could himself fall away, having been offered certain salvation- all for their sakes.</p><p>Understanding the way Paul breaks off into another theme and then resumes is the key to understanding some of the more difficult passages in his writings (examples in Rom. 3:25,26; Eph. 3:1,14). And we have another case here: &quot;But if I live in the flesh <i>this is the fruit of my labour... nevertheless to abide in the flesh</i> (this) is more needful for you&quot; (Phil. 1:22-24).</p>