Philippians 2:17

17 But though I be offered, or slain, on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I have joy, and I thank you all. [But and if I be offered, or slain, upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I have joy, and together thank you all.]

Philippians 2:17 Meaning and Commentary

Philippians 2:17

Yea, and if I be offered
Or "poured out", as the drink offerings of wine or oil were; meaning the effusion of his blood, which he compares to a libation, or drink offering, which was poured upon the sacrifice; and the laying down of his life for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel: which he knew not how soon might be, though he was in some hopes of a deliverance for the present, and therefore speaks of it in an hypothetical way: yet he expected it sooner or later; and that whenever it was, it would be as the libation upon the offering.

Upon the sacrifice and service of your faith;
he had been the means of bringing them to the faith of Christ, in which they were an offering acceptable to God, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost; see ( Romans 15:16 ) ; and should he suffer and shed his blood in the cause of Christ, it would be as a libation on them, as a sacrifice; it would be for the sake of preaching the doctrine of faith, by which they were brought to believe on Christ; and it would be for the further confirmation of their faith, and as a drink offering acceptable unto God; upon all which accounts it would be matter of joy to him.

I joy and rejoice with you all;
meaning at his sufferings and death, and the advantages thereof to Christ, to his churches, and to himself.

Philippians 2:17 In-Context

15 that ye be without plaint, and simple as the sons of God, without reproof, in the middle of a depraved nation [in the middle of a shrewd nation] and a wayward; among which ye shine as givers of light in the world [among whom ye shine as givers of light in the world;].
16 And hold ye together the word of life to my glory in the day of Christ; for I have not run in vain, neither I have travailed in vain. [holding together the word of life to my glory in the day of Christ; for I have not run in vain, neither in vain travailed.]
17 But though I be offered, or slain, on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I have joy, and I thank you all. [But and if I be offered, or slain, upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I have joy, and together thank you all.]
18 And for the same thing have ye joy, and thank ye me. [The same thing forsooth and ye have joy, and together thank me.]
19 And I hope in the Lord Jesus, that I shall send Timothy soon to you [Forsooth I hope in the Lord Jesus, me to send Timothy soon to you], that I be of good comfort, when those things be known that be about you.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.