The scandal of the cross of Christ and the reproach of the imprisonment of Paul was a double burden for the believers in Philippi and throughout the whole region, to bear. Christians in our land today, generally speaking, have little understanding of the reproaches that fell upon the believers in the first century. The circumstances and the manner of the death of the Lord Jesus and the humiliation faced by His servants and followers throughout the Roman world, made the task of owning Christ and His cause doubly onerous. For this reason Paul is seeking to encourage the Philippians to stand fast and to persevere and not be downcast or disheartened because of his sufferings and trials. Life for Paul was Christ and death was but gain. Therefore none should discouraged by his afflictions. His statement in our text is a glorious summary of Christianity. It sets forth the holiness of the Christian in life and the happiness of the Christian in death or as is stated in our title - here is the Christian's character in life and his comfort in death.