Paul’s one consuming desire was to have Christ enlarged, even if his own body and life were lost. Magnify means to make or declare great, increase. It is used in the following passages: Matthew 23:5; Acts 19:17; Luke 1:58. I want to look into this text and challenge us in living lives that magnify Christ. Therefore, how can you and I live lives that magnify Christ?
Christ is worthy of being Magnified! Notice the following passages: Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 5:12, “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease!”
Why is Christ worthy of being Magnified? Certainly there are reasons given within God’s Word to indicate why Christ should be magnified by New Testament Christians (cf. 1 Peter 2:5-10, especially vs. 9-10). We have been called out of darkness into his marvelous light (Colossians 1:13). We who were once not a people, are now a people (Ephesians 2:14-18). We who had not obtained mercy now have obtained mercy (1 Peter 1:3).
How Paul Magnified Christ! Paul’s desire was to ― magnify Christ in my body, whether by life or by death (cf. Philippians 1:12-26). Some of the following was gleaned from Wiersbe.
Paul’s Chains (1:12-14). Because of Paul’s chains, Christ was known (1:13). The same God that used Moses’ staff, Gideon’s pitchers and David’s sling, used Paul’s chains. The chains gave him contact with the lost. Because of his chains, Paul was able to further the cause of Christ and share the Gospel “in all the palace, and in all other places,” something he might not have done if he had been free.
Paul’s Critics (1:15-19). Because of Paul’s critics, Christ was a preacher (1:18). Paul was able to rejoice, not in the selfishness of his critics (“―some preach Christ from envy and strife…from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supporting to add afflictions to my bonds”), but in the fact that Christ was being preached. There was no envy in his heart. It mattered not that some were for him and some were against him. All that mattered was the preaching of Christ.
Paul’s Choices (1:20-26). Because of Paul’s choices, Christ was magnified (1:20). To the unbeliever, Christ is small; other things and people are far more important. However, Christians can magnify Christ for the unbeliever by right choices. This becomes a lens that makes Christ big and close. As we depend completely on Christ, stand for Him no matter the situation and fervently serve Him, Christ will be magnified in our bodies.
