Problem: Some critics point out that Paul was considering suicide, while he was imprisoned. He was considering whether or not to “choose” death (v.22). By making this a choice, critics argue that this implies suicide. Is this the case?
Solution: The Greek word here is haireomai, which literally means to “prefer” or to “vote.” In other words, Paul was not thinking about choosing to end his own life. Instead, he is not sure, which one to prefer. Elsewhere, Paul writes, “I… prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). Here, Paul uses another Greek word (eudokeo pronounced you-dock-AE-oh) to describe his preference for eternal life.
“But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. (Phil 1:22)
