Philippians 1:20

According to He describes this "supply of the Spirit" by its longed for and expected results, which would thus prove the test "according to" which it would be known as present.

earnest expectation Lit., "waiting with outstretched head"; one forcible word in the Greek. It occurs here and Romans 8:19.

ashamed I.e. practically, disappointed; as often in Scripture language. See Psalms 25:3; Zechariah 9:5; Romans 5:5; Romans 9:33; 2 Timothy 1:12.

boldness More precisely, boldness of speech. See Ephesians 3:12; Ephesians 6:19, and notes in this Series. He looks to "the supply of the Spirit" to maintain in him an unwavering testimonyto the Lord and His truth. Cp. Joel 2:28 with Acts 2:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:3. Such testimony might or might not be literally verbal; but it would be utterance, whether in speech or act.

in my body The body is the spirit's vehicle and implement in action upon others. See Romans 12:1, and note in this Series; and cp. 2 Corinthians 4:10. The impression made on others, the "magnification" of Christ in the view of others, "whether by means of life or by means of death," would have to be effected through bodily doing or suffering.

by life, or by death We gather hence, and from Philippians 2:23, that the Epistle was written at a time of special suspense and uncertainty, humanly speaking, regarding the issue of the Apostle's trial. See further just below.