Philippians 2:17 kjv
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Philippians 2:17 nkjv
Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Philippians 2:17 niv
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
Philippians 2:17 esv
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Philippians 2:17 nlt
But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.
Philippians 2 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Philippians 2:17 | "...I myself will be poured out..." | Present Verse |
| 2 Timothy 4:6 | "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand." | Echoes Paul's willingness to sacrifice. |
| Romans 15:16 | "...that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." | Links ministry to offering. |
| 2 Corinthians 12:15 | "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved." | Similar concept of self-expenditure. |
| 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 | "...that I might by all means save some." | Paul's dedication to winning souls. |
| John 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." | Christ's ultimate sacrifice. |
| Mark 14:24 | "And when they had eaten, He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them; and they all drank of it." | The Last Supper cup as a symbol. |
| Exodus 29:40-41 | "And with the one lamb, one-tenth of an ephah of flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of pressed oil, and one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering." | Old Testament ritual of drink offerings. |
| Numbers 15:5-7 | "...and you shall prepare a drink offering of wine, one-third of a hin, with the lamb." | Further illustration of drink offerings. |
| Jeremiah 7:18 | "The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and to pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger." | Contrast with pagan practices. |
| Hosea 9:4 | "They will not offer drink offerings of wine to the LORD, nor will they be pleasing to Him; their sacrifices shall be to them like the bread of mourners, all who eat it shall be defiled." | Significance of acceptable offerings. |
| Acts 20:23-24 | "...the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." | Paul's self-denial for the gospel. |
| Romans 12:1 | "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." | Believers as living sacrifices. |
| 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 | "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit...? You are not your own; you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." | Believers are consecrated. |
| Ephesians 3:7 | "...according to the working of His mighty power." | Power enabling ministry and sacrifice. |
| Colossians 1:24 | "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of His body, which is the church." | Sharing in Christ's sufferings. |
| 1 Peter 1:6-7 | "...that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." | Testing of faith like precious metal. |
| Revelation 5:8-10 | "...you were redeemed with His blood from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made them kings and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” | The redeemed as priests. |
| 1 Peter 4:12-13 | "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings..." | Rejoicing in shared suffering. |
| Galatians 2:20 | "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me..." | Union with Christ's sacrifice. |
| Acts 21:13 | "Then Paul answered, 'What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'” | Paul's firm resolve. |
Philippians 2 verses
Philippians 2 17 Meaning
The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 2:17, expresses his willingness to be poured out as a libation or drink offering. This signifies his readiness to suffer and even die for the sake of the Philippian believers and their faith. It’s a metaphor for complete surrender and sacrifice. His life’s work and potentially his very life were to be consecrated, like a sacrificial drink offered to God. This act would further cement their faith and the spreading of the Gospel.
Philippians 2 17 Context
This verse is found within a larger section of Philippians (2:12-30) where Paul exhorts the believers to live consistently with their salvation by acting in humility, unity, and selfless love, following the example of Christ. Paul is encouraging them to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. He uses his own life and potential martyrdom as an illustration of this earnest dedication. The context of Philippians is a letter written from prison, reflecting Paul's persistent joy and faithfulness despite suffering. He is instructing them to be blameless and pure children of God in a crooked and perverse generation. His impending trial and possible death are very much on his mind.
Philippians 2 17 Word Analysis
- Ὠς (Hōs): This Greek word means "as" or "like." It introduces a comparison or analogy.
- καί (Kai): This is the Greek conjunction "and."
- ἐγώ (Egō): The first-person singular pronoun, meaning "I." It emphasizes Paul's personal commitment.
- σπένδομαι (Spendomai): This is a deponent verb meaning "to be poured out."
- Primary Meaning: In ancient times, it referred to the libation or drink offering poured out on an altar as part of a sacrifice or religious ceremony. This offering accompanied burnt offerings and was seen as a solemnizing act, often made of wine.
- Metaphorical Usage: Here, it’s used metaphorically for Paul's life being willingly surrendered or sacrificed for the sake of his ministry and the spiritual well-being of the Philippian church. It conveys a sense of total offering.
- Association with Martyrdom: While not explicitly stating he will die, the language strongly implies a willingness to face death or extreme hardship, aligning with the concept of laying down one's life for others, similar to a sacrificial offering.
- καί (Kai): Another "and."
- ὑπέρ (Hyper): This Greek preposition means "for," "on behalf of," or "over." In this context, it signifies that Paul's life is being poured out "for" or "for the benefit of" the Philippians' faith.
- τῆς (Tēs): The feminine definite article, "the."
- ὑμῶν (Hymōn): The genitive plural pronoun, meaning "your." It refers to the Philippian believers.
- πίστεως (Pisteōs): The genitive singular of πίστις (pistos), meaning "faith." It is the object of Paul's sacrificial offering – his life is being poured out for the advancement and sustenance of their faith.
Word-Group Analysis
The phrase "I myself will be poured out as a drink offering" (Ὡς καί ἐγώ σπένδομαι) powerfully links Paul’s personal life and potential suffering to the sacrificial framework familiar in both Jewish and pagan antiquity. The imagery of being "poured out" signifies not just a passive expenditure but an active and voluntary consecration of his being for God's purpose among the Philippians, especially concerning their faith (τῆς ὑμῶν πίστεως). This act of self-offering underscores the depth of his pastoral love and commitment to the Gospel.
Philippians 2 17 Bonus Section
The concept of being "poured out" resonates with the ancient understanding of consecration. Just as the precious oil or wine was poured out on an altar, a believer’s life, offered willingly in service and love, is consecrated to God. This action makes the believers’ faith all the more valuable, as suggested in 1 Peter 1:7, where faith is refined like gold. The Old Testament laws detailing drink offerings (libations) were integral parts of sacrifices, symbolizing joy, divine acceptance, and the poured-out blessing of God upon His people. Paul elevates this, making his life the offering poured out for the faith of others, a testament to the living reality of the Gospel.
Philippians 2 17 Commentary
Paul uses the vivid imagery of a drink offering to convey his utter devotion. He is prepared to give everything, even his life, for the spiritual benefit of the Philippian church. This sacrifice is directly tied to their faith – his suffering would serve to strengthen and confirm their belief in the Gospel. His willingness to be "poured out" is not a statement of despair, but an expression of triumphant surrender in Christ, mirroring Christ's own self-sacrifice for humanity. It’s an assurance to the Philippians that their well-being is Paul’s ultimate priority, to the point of potentially paying the highest price.
- Practical Application: This verse calls believers to a similar spirit of sacrifice and dedication in serving others and advancing God's kingdom, willing to give what is valuable, including time, resources, and comfort, for the spiritual growth of others.