Paul feels that his job is not complete at this point, so based on that, he believes his time to die has not come. He did not use the word die, I did. He used the word depart (in the previous verse) as opposed to remain (in this verse).
He is thinking of himself from the eternal reference point and not the natural reference point. The gospel has so much transformed his thinking, he no longer thinks like an ordinary man.
Jesus rising from the dead changed the meaning of death. Rather than fearing death, he sees it clearly as something that is either in the will of God for him or not. If the latter, it means he would not die, and he still has use for him on this side of eternity.
- Peter was imprisoned, but because he still had some work to do for Christ, an angel came and released him from prison, so that whatever the wishes of those who would delight to see him gone would not be achieved (Acts 12).
- In various parables, Jesus made it known that he was going and left his servants with talents, with tasks that they were supposed to execute, with single-minded devotion, because when he comes back, he was going to reward them and give them part of his kingdom (Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:11-27, Matthew 24:45-51).
Now, while doing that, many things might happen. On the one hand, there is the sufferings, the difficulty, and the death, like what happened to Stephen (Acts 7:59-60).
Everyone is awaiting a Day when we will receive our recognition from God.
1 Corinthians 4:5: So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition from God.
Paul said everyone should run to win a prize (2 Timothy 2:5). But one can say, "Why should Paul be motivated by a prize? Why not love?" But there is no difference.
See here:
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
Grace, from Paul's point of view, is the reason for his hard work. There is no conflict. He wants to be spent for the course of Christ, not because he has lost his mind, but because the same mind which was in Christ Jesus, was in him.
Jesus poured himself as a drink offering, not just to prove a point, but because the love for the Father drives him.
Furthermore, faith means believing the word of God and keeping it at the forefront of your mind. And the word says there is a reward. Love means you live on God's terms, and his terms include the promise of rewards.
Jesus also worked for a reward. He knew he came to give his life as ransom for many people (Matthew 20:28). That is the reward: the people, his bride (John 3:29). Have you had a job that you love and you're getting paid for? That is a sweet spot.
God gives you a spiritual gift, along with the joy, opportunity, and insight to use it. You see the result, even on this side of eternity, and you feel joy. That is the joy of the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10).
There is great joy in using your gift and seeing others benefit from it.
So basically, from the focus verse, we learn that Paul is not living for himself. He defines his existence not in how luxurious his vacations are, but by the opportunity to use his gift to help others. If you say to yourself, That's Paul and not me, I want to enjoy your life. I want to warn you about the conclusion that the writer of Ecclesiastes came to, after his experience of various kinds of luxury.
“Absolutely futile!” laments the Teacher,
“All these things are futile!” (Ecclesiastes 12:8)
You shouldn't try to find out what this writer found out. Why? Because there is no time to waste. And you don't have to do precisely what Paul did, but see him as an example. We need examples. Even Jesus, we were supposed to see him as an example (1 Peter 2:21). And Paul also put himself forth as an example (1 Corinthians 4:16).
