Phili 2:17-18 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 17. Yea, and if I be offered . Marg., poured forth . The mention of his labours in their behalf, in the previous verse, seems to have suggested to him the sufferings which he was likely yet to endure on their account. He had laboured for their salvation. He had exposed himself to peril that they and others might have the gospel. On their account he had suffered much; he had been made a prisoner at Rome; and there was a possibility, if not a probability, that his life might be a forfeit for his labours in their behalf. Yet he says that, even ff this should happen, he would not regret it, but it would be a source of joy. The word which is here used-- σπενδομαι properly means, to pour out, to make a libation; and is commonly used, in the classic writers, in connexion with sacrifices. It refers to a drink-offering, where one who was about to offer a sacrifice, or to present a drink-offering to the gods, before he tasted of it himself, poured out a part of it on the altar. Passow . It is used also to denote the fact, that, when an animal was about to be slain in sacrifice, wine was poured on it as a solemn act of devoting it to God. Comp. . In like manner, Paul may have regarded himself as a victim prepared for the sacrifice. In the New Testament it is found only in this place, and in , where it is rendered, "I am ready to be offered." . It does not here mean that Paul really expected to be a sacrifice , or to make an expiation for sin by his death; but that he might be called to pour out his blood, or to offer up his life as if he were a sacrifice, or an offering to God. We have a similar use of language, when we say that a man sacrifices himself for his friends or his country. Upon the sacrifice . επιτηθυσια. The word here rendered sacrifice means, (1.) the act of sacrificing; (2.) the victim that is offered; and (3.) any oblation or offering. Robinson, Lex . Here it must be used in the latter sense, and is connected with " faith "--" the sacrifice of your faith." The reference is probably to the faith, that is, the religion of the Philippians, regarded as a sacrifice or an offering to God; the worship which they rendered to him. The idea of Paul is, that if, in order to render that offering what it should hereto make it as complete and acceptable to God as possible--it were necessary for him to die, pouring out his blood, and strength, and life, as wine was poured out to prepare a sacrifice for the altar and make it complete, he would not refuse to do it, but would rejoice in the opportunity. He seems to have regarded them as engaged in making an offering of faith, and as endeavouring to make the offering complete and acceptable; and says that if his death were necessary to make their piety of the highest and most acceptable kind, he was ready to die. And service , λειτουργια --a word taken from an act of worship, or public service, and especially the ministry of those engaged in offering sacrifices, . Here it means, the ministering or service which the Philippians rendered to God; the worship which they offered, the essential element of which was faith. Paul was willing to endure anything, even to suffer death in their cause, if it would tend to make their "service" more pure, spiritual, and acceptable to God. The meaning of the whole is, (1.) that the sufferings and dangers which he now experienced were in their cause, and on their behalf; and (2.) that he was willing to lay down his life, if their piety would be promoted, and their worship be rendered more pure and acceptable to God. I joy . That is, I am not afraid of death; and if my dying can be the means of promoting your piety, it will be a source of rejoicing. Comp. . And rejoice with you all . My joy will be increased in anything that promotes yours. The fruits of my death will reach and benefit you, and it will be a source of mutual congratulation. (3) "offered" "poured forth" (g) "upon the sacrifice"

Philippians 2:17-18

Verse 17. Yea, and if I be offered. Marg., poured forth. The mention of his labours in their behalf, in the previous verse, seems to have suggested to him the sufferings which he was likely yet to endure on their account. He had laboured for their salvation. He had exposed himself to peril that they and others might have the gospel. On their account he had suffered much; he had been made a prisoner at Rome; and there was a possibility, if not a probability, that his life might be a forfeit for his labours in their behalf. Yet he says that, even ff this should happen, he would not regret it, but it would be a source of joy. The word which is here used-- σπενδομαι properly means, to pour out, to make a libation; and is commonly used, in the classic writers, in connexion with sacrifices. It refers to a drink-offering, where one who was about to offer a sacrifice, or to present a drink-offering to the gods, before he tasted of it himself, poured out a part of it on the altar. Passow. It is used also to denote the fact, that, when an animal was about to be slain in sacrifice, wine was poured on it as a solemn act of devoting it to God. Comp. Nu 15:6, 28:7,14. In like manner, Paul may have regarded himself as a victim prepared for the sacrifice. In the New Testament it is found only in this place, and in 2Ti 4:6, where it is rendered, "I am ready to be offered." 2Ti 4:6. It does not here mean that Paul really expected to be a sacrifice, or to make an expiation for sin by his death; but that he might be called to pour out his blood, or to offer up his life as if he were a sacrifice, or an offering to God. We have a similar use of language, when we say that a man sacrifices himself for his friends or his country.

Upon the sacrifice. επιτηθυσια. The word here rendered sacrifice means,

(1.) the act of sacrificing;

(2.) the victim that is offered; and

(3.) any oblation or offering. Robinson, Lex. Here it must be used in the latter sense, and is connected with "faith"--" the sacrifice of your faith." The reference is probably to the faith, that is, the religion of the Philippians, regarded as a sacrifice or an offering to God; the worship which they rendered to him. The idea of Paul is, that if, in order to render that offering what it should hereto make it as complete and acceptable to God as possible--it were necessary for him to die, pouring out his blood, and strength, and life, as wine was poured out to prepare a sacrifice for the altar and make it complete, he would not refuse to do it, but would rejoice in the opportunity. He seems to have regarded them as engaged in making an offering of faith, and as endeavouring to make the offering complete and acceptable; and says that if his death were necessary to make their piety of the highest and most acceptable kind, he was ready to die.

And service, λειτουργια --a word taken from an act of worship, or public service, and especially the ministry of those engaged in offering sacrifices, Lk 1:23, Heb 7:6. Here it means, the ministering or service which the Philippians rendered to God; the worship which they offered, the essential element of which was faith. Paul was willing to endure anything, even to suffer death in their cause, if it would tend to make their "service" more pure, spiritual, and acceptable to God. The meaning of the whole is,

(1.) that the sufferings and dangers which he now experienced were in their cause, and on their behalf; and

(2.) that he was willing to lay down his life, if their piety would be promoted, and their worship be rendered more pure and acceptable to God.

I joy. That is, I am not afraid of death; and if my dying can be the means of promoting your piety, it will be a source of rejoicing. Comp. Php 1:23.

And rejoice with you all. My joy will be increased in anything that promotes yours. The fruits of my death will reach and benefit you, and it will be a source of mutual congratulation.

(3) "offered" "poured forth" (g) "upon the sacrifice" 1Cor 9:26 Verse 18. For the same came. Because we are united, and what affects one of us should affect both.

Do ye joy and rejoice with me. That is, "Do not grieve at my death. Be not overwhelmed with sorrow, but let your hearts be filled with congratulation. It will be a privilege and a pleasure thus to die." This is a noble sentiment, and one that could have been uttered only by a heroic and generous mind--by a man who did not dread death, and who felt that it was honourable thus to die. Doddridge has illustrated the sentiment by an appropriate reference to a fact stated by Plutarch. A brave Athenian returned from the battle of Marathon, bleeding with wounds and exhausted, and rushed into the presence of the magistrates, and uttered only these two words, χαιρετεχαιρομεν --"rejoice, we rejoice"--and immediately expired. So Paul felt that there was occasion for him, and for all whom he loved, to rejoice, if he was permitted to die in the cause of others, and in such a manner that his death would benefit the world.