Philippians 1:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

It all accords with my earnest expectation and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of; but rather, now, as always, the Messiah will be honored by my body, whether it is alive or dead.

Berean Standard Bible:

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

American Standard Version:

according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I 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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

According^{G2596} to my^{G3450} earnest expectation^{G603} and^{G2532} my hope^{G1680}, that^{G3754} in^{G1722} nothing^{G3762} I shall be ashamed^{G153}, but^{G235} that with^{G1722} all^{G3956} boldness^{G3954}, as^{G5613} always^{G3842}, so now^{G3568} also^{G2532} Christ^{G5547} shall be magnified^{G3170} in^{G1722} my^{G3450} body^{G4983}, whether^{G1535} it be by^{G1223} life^{G2222}, or^{G1535} by^{G1223} death^{G2288}.

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Commentary for Philippians 1:20

Philippians 1:20 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, written by the Apostle Paul while he was under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial. The letter to the Philippians is one of the four prison epistles, and it reflects Paul's deep affection for the church in Philippi, which he had founded on his second missionary journey.

In this verse, Paul expresses a profound theological and personal conviction that anchors his ministry and life. The themes of hope, boldness, and the magnification of Christ are central. Paul's "earnest expectation" signifies his fervent desire and confident anticipation that his life and actions will bring honor rather than shame to the Gospel. His hope is not in the circumstances of his life or the outcome of his trial, but in the living power of Christ.

The boldness Paul refers to is his unwavering courage to preach the Gospel and live out his faith publicly, regardless of the personal cost. He is determined that his body, whether through continued life or through martyrdom, will serve as a testament to the greatness of Christ. This reflects the early Christian understanding of the body as a vessel for God's work and glory.

The phrase "Christ shall be magnified" captures the essence of Paul's mission—to make Christ known and glorified. For Paul, life presents an opportunity for Christ to be exalted through his ministry, and death holds no fear because it would usher him into the immediate presence of Christ, which he highly esteems (Philippians 1:21-23).

Historically, this verse reflects the early Christian ethos of embracing suffering and death as opportunities for witness and faithfulness. Paul's words have inspired countless believers throughout the centuries to live courageously for Christ, viewing every circumstance, whether life or death, as an opportunity to glorify God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2596
   There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κατά
   Transliteration: katá
   Pronunciation: kat-ah'
   Description: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3450
   There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μοῦ
   Transliteration: moû
   Pronunciation: moo
   Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
   
3. Strong's Number: G603
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκαραδοκία
   Transliteration: apokaradokía
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ar-ad-ok-ee'-ah
   Description: from a comparative of ἀπό and a compound of (the head) and δοκέω (in the sense of watching); intense anticipation:--earnest expectation.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1680
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐλπίς
   Transliteration: elpís
   Pronunciation: el-pece'
   Description: from a primary (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence:--faith, hope.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3762
   There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐδείς
   Transliteration: oudeís
   Pronunciation: oo-den'
   Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
   
9. Strong's Number: G153
   There are 970 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αἰσχύνομαι
   Transliteration: aischýnomai
   Pronunciation: ahee-skhoo'-nom-ahee
   Description: from (disfigurement, i.e. disgrace); to feel shame (for oneself):--be ashamed.
   
10. Strong's Number: G235
    There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀλλά
    Transliteration: allá
    Pronunciation: al-lah'
    Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3956
    There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πᾶς
    Transliteration: pâs
    Pronunciation: pas
    Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3954
    There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: παῤῥησία
    Transliteration: parrhēsía
    Pronunciation: par-rhay-see'-ah
    Description: from πᾶς and a derivative of ῥέω; all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance:--bold (X -ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence, X freely, X openly, X plainly(-ness).
    
13. Strong's Number: G5613
    There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὡς
    Transliteration: hōs
    Pronunciation: hoce
    Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3842
    There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πάντοτε
    Transliteration: pántote
    Pronunciation: pan'-tot-eh
    Description: from πᾶς and ὅτε; every when, i.e. at all times:--alway(-s), ever(-more).
    
15. Strong's Number: G3568
    There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: νῦν
    Transliteration: nŷn
    Pronunciation: noon
    Description: a primary particle of present time; "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate:--henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time). See also τανῦν, νυνί.
    
16. Strong's Number: G5547
    There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Χριστός
    Transliteration: Christós
    Pronunciation: khris-tos'
    Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.
    
17. Strong's Number: G3170
    There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μεγαλύνω
    Transliteration: megalýnō
    Pronunciation: meg-al-oo'-no
    Description: from μέγας; to make (or declare) great, i.e. increase or (figuratively) extol:--enlarge, magnify, shew great.
    
18. Strong's Number: G4983
    There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σῶμα
    Transliteration: sōma
    Pronunciation: so'-mah
    Description: from σώζω; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:--bodily, body, slave.
    
19. Strong's Number: G1535
    There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἴτε
    Transliteration: eíte
    Pronunciation: i'-teh
    Description: from εἰ and τέ; if too:--if, or, whether.
    
20. Strong's Number: G1223
    There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: διά
    Transliteration: diá
    Pronunciation: dee-ah'
    Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
    
21. Strong's Number: G2222
    There are 126 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ζωή
    Transliteration: zōḗ
    Pronunciation: dzo-ay'
    Description: from ζάω; life (literally or figuratively):--life(-time). Compare ψυχή.
    
22. Strong's Number: G2288
    There are 106 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θάνατος
    Transliteration: thánatos
    Pronunciation: than'-at-os
    Description: from θνήσκω; (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively):--X deadly, (be…) death.