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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.
Reference
Greek: καθώς (kathṓs)
just (or inasmuch) as, that
Hebrew: kᵉmôw
a form of the prefix 'k-', but used separately as, thus, so
Greek: ἀποκαραδοκία (apokaradokía)
intense anticipation
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Hebrew: machăçeh
a shelter (literally or figuratively)
Hebrew: zôw
this or that
Hebrew: bᵉlîymâh
(as indefinitely) nothing whatever
Greek: μέ (mé)
me
Hebrew: ʼănâʼ
I
Greek: ἐπαισχύνομαι (epaischýnomai)
to feel shame for something
Hebrew: châphêr
to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach
Greek: εἰ μή (ei mḗ)
if not
Hebrew: ʼăbâl
nay, i.e. truly or yet
Hebrew: zôw
this or that
Greek: ὅλος (hólos)
"whole" or "all", i.e. complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
Hebrew: kôl
{properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)}
Hebrew: ʻôz
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
Greek: καθά (kathá)
according to which things, i.e. just as
Hebrew: tachath
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.
Greek: ἀεί (aeí)
"ever," by qualification regularly; by implication, earnestly
Hebrew: kᵉnêmâʼ
so or thus
Greek: νυνί (nyní)
just now
Hebrew: ʼĕdayin
then (of time)
Greek: δή (dḗ)
a particle of emphasis or explicitness; now, then, etc.
Hebrew: ʼôw
desire (and so probably in Proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
Greek: Χριστός (Christós)
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Greek: ἤμην (ḗmēn)
I was
Hebrew: hâvâʼ
to be (in the sense of existence)
Greek: χρώς (chrṓs)
the body (properly, its surface or skin)
Hebrew: bâsâr
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman
Greek: πότερον (póteron)
interrogative as adverb, which (of two), i.e. is it this or that
Hebrew: hêm
they (only used when emphatic)
Greek: ἤμην (ḗmēn)
I was
Hebrew: hâvâʼ
to be (in the sense of existence)
Hebrew: ʻim
{adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually unrepresented in English)}
Greek: ζάω (záō)
to live (literally or figuratively)
Hebrew: chay
alive; also (as noun in plural) life
Hebrew: ʻim
{adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually unrepresented in English)}
Greek: τελευτή (teleutḗ)
decease
Hebrew: Mûwth
'To die for the son', probably the title of a popular song
Hope
Psalm 119:116
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 6:20
Isaiah 54:4
1 John 2:28
Romans 8:19
Philippians 2:17
Isaiah 50:7
1 Corinthians 7:34
References Christ
1 Peter 4:16
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Verse Explanation
Paul declares that his deepest expectation is that he will not be ashamed but will continue to honor Christ boldly whether he lives or dies, demonstrating that his ultimate goal is faithfulness rather than personal survival.
History
1st century AD: Christian faithfulness under imprisonment and possible execution was a significant theme within the early church.