Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philippians 1:20

"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." — Philippians 1:20 (ASV)

If “deliverance” has the above-mentioned sense, then Paul is saying that regardless of the outcome of his immediate physical circumstances, he has every reason to “eagerly expect” and “hope” for spiritual victory. These two words (nouns in the Greek text) are grammatically joined by a single article so as to indicate a single concept.

While waiting for the settlement of his case, Paul had a well-founded hope that he would “in no way be ashamed.” This is a broad statement referring first to his appearance before the authorities for the final disposition of his case. There may also be overtones of his ultimate appearance before Christ, because he speaks of the possibility of death and of the advantage of being with Christ. He is confident that he will continue to maintain the sort of courage characteristic of his ministry in the past.

The expression “sufficient courage [GK 4244]” conveys the thought of openness, courage, boldness, or confidence, whether toward God or people. Prominent are instances in which this quality is viewed in relation to speech. Paul may be thinking in terms of his coming testimony before his imperial judges. It would not be as easy to give a courageous witness in those circumstances, apart from the help of the Holy Spirit.

Paul wants Christ “to be exalted,” regardless of whether (physical) “life” or “death” would be the verdict on his “body.” The passive voice of the verb “to be exalted” suggests that Paul was not relying on his own courage but on the action of the Holy Spirit, who would produce this result in response to the prayers of Paul and the Philippians (v.19).