“According to my earnest expectation and (my) hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but (that) with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether (it be) by life, or by death.”
“According to my earnest-expectation and hope, that in nothing I-shall-be-ashamed, but in all boldness, as always, now also Christ shall-be-magnified in my body, whether by-means-of life, whether by-means-of death.”
“Earnest-expectation” is only one word in Greek. It means literally “watching (for some expected object) as with outstretched head.” This word is only used here and in Rom. 8:1919For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19): “For the earnest-expectation of the creature is-anxiously-waiting-for the revelation of the sons of God.” One writer says it means “to expect on and on, to the end” (Cremer). But you must picture the aged Apostle in his Roman prison, his head outstretched with longing expectation. Our English cannot say it: you must picture him in your mind: and for what is his “longing-expectation”? “That in nothing I shall be ashamed” (vs. 20). He would neither be shamed into cowardice or compromise, nor would he be shamed by failure of disappointment. Once before he had written: or, rather, “The Scripture saith” (1 Tim. 5:1818For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward. (1 Timothy 5:18)) ... “Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed” (Rom. 10:1111For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 10:11)). And sure I am that Paul’s Master did not fail his “earnest-expectation,” (vs. 20) nor, his “hope.”
Once before he had exclaimed, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom. 1:1616For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)). Perhaps the reader is feeling, with the writer “Too often have I been ashamed of the gospel: too often have I forgotten that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.” Perhaps we have not had the same “earnest-expectation and hope” (vs. 20) that the Apostle had, or we might not have such sad regrets: for, sad to say, there are some who will be ashamed before Him at His coming. (1 John 2:2828And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)). This will be at the judgment seat of Christ, when we will see all our pathway down here as through His eyes. And what is the secret for us now, that then we shall not be ashamed? Only this: “And now, little children, abide in Him!” (1 John 2:2828And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)). That is all. And yet, even amidst our shame, it seems there is a gleam of comfort: for, listen: “Until the Lord come, Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Cor. 4:55Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)). How wonderful! I take it, there will not be one of the Lord’s own people standing before Him at that judgment seat, for whom He will not have some word of praise.
You remember the mother who sat mending her little daughter’s dress, sad and discouraged, as she viewed all the failure in her efforts to serve her Lord: all seemed so hopelessly bad ...
Just then, as I turned the garment,
That no rent should be left behind,
I spied an odd little bungle
Of mending and patchwork combined.
My heart grew suddenly tender,
And something quite blinded my eyes,
With one of those sweet intuitions
That sometimes make us so wise.
Dear child! She wanted to help me;
I knew ‘twas the best she could do;
But oh, what a botch she had made it…
With the gray mis-matching the blue!
And yet… can you understand it?
With a tender smile and a tear,
A half-compassionate yearning,
I felt she had grown more dear.
Then a sweet voice broke the silence,
And the dear Lord said unto me,
“Art thou more tender for thy child
Than I, Child, am tender for thee?”
Then straightway I knew His meaning
So full of compassion and love;
My faith flew back to its Refuge,
As did the returning dove.
I thought, when the Master-Builder
Shall come down His temple to view,
To see what rents must be mended,
And what must be builded anew.
Perhaps, looking o’er the building,
And bringing my work to the light,
Seeing the marring and bungling
And how far it all is from right.
He’ll feel as I for my darling,
And will say, as I did for her…
“Dear child”, she wanted to help Me,
And her love for Me was the spur.
“For the true love that is in it,
The work I will own e’en as Mine;
And because of willing service,
I’ll crown it with plaudit divine.”
And there in the deepening twilight
I seemed to be clasping a hand,
And to feel a love constraining…
Love stronger than any command.
I knew, by the thrill of sweetness,
’Twas the hand of the Blessed One,
Tenderly guiding and holding
Till all my day’s labor is done.
My thoughts are nevermore gloomy
And my faith no longer is dim,
For my heart is strong and restful,
For mine eyes look off unto Him.
“According to my earnest-expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but in all boldness of utterance, as always, so now also, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by means of life, whether by means of death.”
We must now ponder the words “in all boldness” (vs. 20). The original word properly means “frankness of speech arising from freedom of heart,” and it goes well with the words that follow: “Christ shall be magnified” (vs. 20). We find the same word in Eph. 6:1919And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (Ephesians 6:19). The Apostle asks prayer.... “on behalf of me, in order that a word may be given to me, in (the) opening of my mouth, in boldness of utterance, to make known the mystery of the glad tidings.” This Scripture uses the word entirely in its own original meaning, but the Apostle in Philippians seems to go further: he would have a boldness that gives utter and absolute devotion to Christ for life, for death. It is not uncommon for our Apostle to enlarge the meaning of words, and for his thoughts to rise above their ordinary, earthly interpretation. May it be given to us more and more to follow him in this absolute devotion to Christ.
What a word is this: “Christ shall be magnified!” (vs. 20). The Apostle does not say: “That I may magnify Christ.” It is in the passive voice. The instrument is forgotten. Notice also that he does not say, “that Christ shall be magnified in my life, or, in my soul.” Mary had used the very same word in Luke 1:4646And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, (Luke 1:46): “My soul Both magnify the Lord.” But the Apostle’s longing is that Christ shall be magnified in his body.
And he himself tells us that his enemies said: “His bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible” (2 Cor. 10:1010For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. (2 Corinthians 10:10)). But it was not Paul, nor Paul’s body, that was to be magnified: it was Paul’s Lord. It is, I think, like the lens in the telescope, by which some distant star in the heavens “is magnified.” It does not make the star any greater: but it manifests in some small degree the greatness of that star. The telescope and the lens are forgotten: and the star fills the vision. So Paul would have it to be in his body. So would you, Beloved! So would I! May God grant it, for His name’s sake!
In Acts 10:4646For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (Acts 10:46) Cornelius and his kinsfolk and near friends magnified God, when first they heard the gospel from Peter’s lips, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. In Acts 19:1717And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. (Acts 19:17) the name of the Lord was magnified in Ephesus: it was manifested to be great and mighty. And Christ may still be magnified today, in the body of the humblest and weakest believer: for His strength is made perfect in weakness. Christ may be magnified with praise, prayer, and witness to Himself: Christ may be magnified by hands, perhaps worn with labor like the Apostle’s in Acts 20:3434Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. (Acts 20:34), hands that work so willingly for Him and His:
“Jane, by polishing the floors
Shows forth the Master she adores.”
Yes, Christ may be magnified even in our daily work in the house, or shop, or office, or the care of the children, just as truly as by the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things: any feet that “run in the way of His commandments,” magnify Him. “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together” (Psa. 34:33O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34:3)).
The Apostle was writing from prison: his trial yet before him: and it might be life and liberty: or, it might be death. To the beloved Apostle it matters not: so long as Christ be magnified: “whether by means of life, whether by means of death.” The emblem of the Moravian Mission is an ox standing between a plow and an altar: ready for either: ready for labor or sacrifice: ready for life or death. I sadly fear, Beloved, there is too little of this spirit among us. I sadly fear it may more truly be said: “All seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” (ch. 2:21). Let us remember that he that loveth his life shall lose it. (John 12:2525He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (John 12:25)). Let us ponder on our knees such Scriptures as Matt. 10:38, 3938And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:38‑39): “He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.” Mark 8:34-3534And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. (Mark 8:34‑35): “Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:2323And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)). “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.” May the Lord give these words to be living and powerful in our hearts, and then we, like Paul, will “reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:1818For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)).
Someone has said: “‘CHRIST shall be magnified.’ Print that in large letters as your ideal of Christian life,” “Whether through life, whether through death.” Paul said: “We make it our ambition, whether in our home or away, to please Him” (2 Cor. 5:99Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (2 Corinthians 5:9)). (Weymouth: fairly literal).
O blessed road the Master trod!
His call now comes to thee
To share with Him its toils and joys
What shall thine answer be?
... as always, so now also
CHRIST
Shall be magnified
in my body, whether it be
by life or by death
For to me to live
is CHRIST
and to die
is gain.