Sunday 19/1/14

Philippians 1:19-20 ESV

for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Paul was in prison. Whether he will die or live is uncertain. Paul certainly hoped for deliverance. His Christian friends also prayed for this. Nevertheless, the future was grim and Emperor Nero was persecuting Christians with death. Despite this, Paul was full of courage. He didn't want to live, but to bring honor to Christ with his body, whether in living or in dieing.

We know that Paul eventually martyred under Nero. But does it mean Christ has failed him? Not at all. Paul lived till 60s, full of age and finished his work. His death brought glory to Christ and demonstrated Christian unbending spirit. It was not his shame, but his crowning moment of glory.