Philippians 1:20

“according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall. be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death”

“According”: Such. deliverance is his own eager expectation. “Earnest expectation”: “It suggests to turn the head from and watch for” (Jackson p. 33). “Yearning, looking forward to something with head erect” (Hendriksen p. 75). “The concentrated hope which ignores other interests and strains forward as with outstretched head” (Hawthorne p. 41). “That in nothing shall. be put to shame”: “That. shall never disgrace myself” (Gspd). “I shall have no cause for shame” (TCNT). “Paul's hope is that he will never be shamed into silence, either by cowardice or. feeling of ineffectiveness” (Barclay p. 26).

Paul had. quality that is often sadly lacking among modern Christians. Paul had the intense desire to always honor His God. He was terrified of ever bringing shame and embarrassment upon the cause of Christ. He realized that he always represented Jesus Christ, that the impression his conduct gave to people is the exact impression they had of Christianity. What has happened to Christian honor? What has happened to the attitude of “I'd rather die than disgrace the cause of Jesus Christ?” Note carefully. Paul did not fear personal humiliation (he had already endured much of that: see 2 Corinthians 11:22 ff). Rather he was concerned about avoiding anything that would bring dishonor to the gospel message.

“But that with all boldness”: All out-spokenness and frankness. “Full speech, unreservedness of utterance” (Jackson p. 33). To proclaim the gospel with boldness is the exact opposite of being ashamed of it. “Literally complete outspokenness,. courage which reveals itself in. frank and unhesitant proclamation of the good tidings” (Hendriksen p. 75). “As always, so now also”:

Paul was not going to change his preaching style one bit, even though he was going to appear before the highest court in the land. Paul had always preached with boldness (Acts 13:46). Lenski gives us. serious question to consider, “Give this. little thought. Suppose you were to appear as. preacher before the U.S. Supreme Court, and suppose this Court to be thoroughly pagan. Would it be so easy to speak with perfect freedom ‘as always", as in your own pulpit, your own town?'” (p. 738).

The very word "boldness" that is often connected with the preaching of the gospel (2 Corinthians 3:12; Ephesians 6:19), reveals something about the gospel. It contains timeless truths. This message will never become "outdated", thus we can preach it with complete confidence to every generation. Men of every age and generation still stand in desperate need of this message. The gospel will still be the truth at the last day. No other message can bring one to salvation (Romans 1:16). No other message fits into the same category (Galatians 1:6). This is the only message that can bring men into. right relationship with God. This message has no equal!

“Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death”: “Paul's entire existence, as that of. responsible human being is aimed at one goal, that of bringing praise to Christ” (Hawthorne p. 44). Compare with 2 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Corinthians 6:20). “Magnified”: “Christ will be honored in my body” (RSV). “Once we have chosen Christ, by our life and conduct we bring either glory or shame to Him” (Barclay p. 26). Paul has no desire to be considered as some "great" one, rather, he simply wants everyone to see how "great" Christ is. Is this our motive?