{For to me} (emoi gar). Fine example of the ethical
dative. Paul gives his own view of living. {To live is Christ}
(	o z(8869)n Christos). No copula (estin), but 	o z(8869)n (the act
of living present active infinitive) is the subject as is shown
by the article 	o. Living is coextensive with Christ. {Gain}
(kerdos). Old word for any gain or profit, interest on money
(so in papyri). In N.T. only here,  Php 3:7  Tit 1:11 . {To die}
(	o apothanein, second aorist active infinitive, single act) is
to cash in both principal and interest and so to have more of
Christ than when living. So Paul faces death with independence
and calm courage.