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Philippians 1:20 My expectation
by Don Costello Philippians 1:20 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 death." 1. "According to my earnest expectation and my hope," a. Amp. Bible: "This is in keeping with my own eager and persistent expectation and hope," b. earnest expectation (603 * apokaradokia; apo-from; kara-the head; dokeo-to think.) signifies strained expectancy, eager longing; the stretching forth of the head indication an expectation. 2. "that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always," a. ashamed (153 * aischunomai) to have a feeling of fear or shame which prevents a person from doing a thing, Luke 16:3; the feeling of shame arising from something that has been done: 2 Corinthians 10:8. b. boldness (3954 * parrhesia; pas-all; rhesis-speech.) all out spokenness, frankness, bluntness. c. These same two Greek words are used in 1 John 2:28 and I believe they shed some light on what Paul meant. "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." [Note: coming-parousia, denotes both an arrival and a presence. He of course is referring to the 2nd coming and kingdom of Christ.] d. It seems that Paul was saying that there was nothing that was going to keep him from doing what Jesus told him to do. Likewise, he was not going to do anything he knew he shouldn't do, something that he would be ashamed of when he stands before Jesus Christ! e. Continuing on that line of thought, look at 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed," We can avoid being ashamed by becoming so intimate with our Savior that we avoid that behavior that brings the shame. 3. "so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." a. Amplified Bible: "Christ, the Messiah, will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through by life or through by death." b. Before his arrest, Paul had this attitude. Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." My name is Don Costello. Ever since I received Christ in November of 1976 I have had a passion to study and know God's word.My wife Melissa and I have 5 children. My e-mail address is [email protected] I have a blog located at: www.theophilus-loverofgodsword.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |