This week I read Chapter seven of the Life-study of Philippians, and it covered Philippians 1:20-23 on Christ being magnified in Paul's body. Here’s an example from page 56 of how understanding the context helps you understand what verses means:"According to the context of these verses salvation means that Paul was not put to shame in anything….Christ was magnified in Paul’s body. This magnification of Christ spoken of in verse 20, is the very salvation mentioned in verse 19. This means that the salvation which was according to Paul’s earnest expectation and hope was that he would not be put to shame, but would magnify Christ in his body. Therefore in verse 20 we have a definition of the practical enjoyment of salvation. To enjoy this kind of salvation is to live Christ. This is the reason Paul says in verse 21, For to me to live is Christ" (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Philippians. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1980, Print).
In verse 23 we can see Paul is weighing being in the Lord’s presence after death with being alive and having more opportunities to live Christ. Now as believers we can enjoy both the Lord’s presence, and we can also live out His life, which is a higher and deeper experience of the Lord. When that happens, we magnify Christ—we make Him large enough so the people around us can see through us Jesus living again on the earth. So this puts a prayer in my heart—Lord give us the experiences we need to practice living You so the world can see YOU!
You can listen to excerpts from the Life-Study of Philippians given in 1980 on The Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. The commentary is excellent.
Blog Update 5/22/14: Check out the new free book put out by Bibles for America called A Life of Forbearance But Without Anxiety.
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