Philippians 1:20 – Christ Magnified

In accord with my premonition and expectation, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ shall be magnified in my body whether through life or through death.

Not only did Paul have a premonition not to be put to shame in any way, he expected it. Such expectation is never uncertain in Scripture because it is based on what God promises. With such an attitude to life, one need never to despair.

That Paul would not be put to shame in any way was also based on his experience. Christ shall be magnified in his body with all boldness. Because “as always, also now”. Circumstances may change, but this target (cf. 3:14) remains the same. Even if Paul had to pay for his testimony with death, this will not change.

It may sound a little strange, “magnify Christ.” For Christ is already great in himself, isn’t he? The latter is certainly true, and yet in our perception He can indeed be made great. Compare it to a star that we see with the naked eye. That star is ‘magnified’ with a telescope. Not objectively, of course, but subjectively. Paul was such a ’telescope’ – Christ was magnified in him!

Delen: