Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 1:20

20 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 .

He alledgeth and explaineth the ground and certainty of his knowledge and perswasion of his Enemies disappointment, and all succeeding well with him trusting in the living God, 1 Tim. 4.10. who in all death-threatning afflictions hath upon his word engag'd himself to support all those that hope in his mercies, Psal. 33.18, 19. & 37, 7, 9. & 147.11. Then be sure when his sincere Servants assisted by his spirit wait for his diliverance with their Necks stretched out (as the word here notes) being rais'd from past experience intensely and wishtly looking for his appearance shall be able each to say as the Apostle intimates.

Negatively he shall not be left to doe any thing which may justly bring him under reproach. His well grounded hope would not make him ashamed, Rom. 5.5. with 8.25. but upon this account he shall have wherewith to answer him that should reproach him, Psal. 119.41, 42, 46. Luk. 9.26. 2 Tim. 1.12.

Positively that he should continue constant in a couragious owning of the truth, and acknowledging of his Lord every way, whether he was delivered from or to death.

As in the former years of his ministry he had been supported, yea and victorious in freely speaking for Christ, preaching and defending of his Gospel, Act. 9.27. & 14.3. with as much courage as any other, Act. 4.13, 29, 31. with 2 Cor. 11.21. Gal. 6.17. So now he was humbly confident in his present sad circumstances, Christ should be magnified (not that himself can become greater) i. e. before Men, his Glory should be rendred greater and more illustrious, and acknowledged with praise, whether he lived or died, Rom. 14.8. yea, in the earthen Vessel of his body, 2 Cor. 4.11. (about which he was not solicitous, having resigned it intirely to Christ) either in his enlargement and preaching of the Doctrine of Christ, or in his being offered up and sealing it by his Martyrdom.