Now Paul opens his heart fully. This is the great purpose that governed him: that Christ shall be magnified in my body.
His deepest desire was not comfort, escape, vindication before men, or even prolonged life. It was that Jesus Christ would be made great through him. The word magnified means to make large, to make great in the sight of others. Paul wanted his body-his life, his suffering, his witness, even his death-to become a stage on which the greatness of Christ could be clearly seen.
He says this was his earnest expectation and hope. This was not a passing thought. This was the settled ambition of his life. He wanted to live in such a way that he would not be ashamed. Not ashamed of Christ. Not ashamed under pressure. Not ashamed when tested.
And notice the phrase “as always, so now also.” Paul had not just recently decided to be bold. This had marked his life all along. In freedom or chains, in comfort or trouble, in ministry success or public reproach, his purpose remained the same: Christ must be magnified.
Then he reaches the summit of surrender: “whether it be by life, or by death.” Paul had so yielded himself to Christ that either outcome was acceptable, so long as Jesus was glorified. To live and preach Christ? Good. To die and glorify Christ in martyr-like faithfulness? Also good. His life was no longer his own.
What a testimony. What a purpose. What a challenge for us. Most of us want Christ to be magnified only if it costs us little. Paul wanted Christ magnified no matter the price.
Now Paul opens his heart fully. This is the great purpose that governed him: that Christ shall be magnified in my body.
His deepest desire was not comfort, escape, vindication before men, or even prolonged life. It was that Jesus Christ would be made great through him. The word magnified means to make large, to make great in the sight of others. Paul wanted his body-his life, his suffering, his witness, even his death-to become a stage on which the greatness of Christ could be clearly seen.
He says this was his earnest expectation and hope. This was not a passing thought. This was the settled ambition of his life. He wanted to live in such a way that he would not be ashamed. Not ashamed of Christ. Not ashamed under pressure. Not ashamed when tested.
And notice the phrase “as always, so now also.” Paul had not just recently decided to be bold. This had marked his life all along. In freedom or chains, in comfort or trouble, in ministry success or public reproach, his purpose remained the same: Christ must be magnified.
Then he reaches the summit of surrender: “whether it be by life, or by death.” Paul had so yielded himself to Christ that either outcome was acceptable, so long as Jesus was glorified. To live and preach Christ? Good. To die and glorify Christ in martyr-like faithfulness? Also good. His life was no longer his own.
What a testimony. What a purpose. What a challenge for us. Most of us want Christ to be magnified only if it costs us little. Paul wanted Christ magnified no matter the price.