Philippians 2:17

“Yea, and if. am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith,. joy, and rejoice with you all”

“Yea”: “But even” (NASV). “If. am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith”: “Even if my lifeblood must be poured out for. sacrifice to nurture your faith” (Ber) “Sacrifice and service resulting from their faith” (Jackson p. 51). “Even if, when your faith is offered as. sacrifice to God, my life-blood must be poured out in addition” (TCNT). “Offered”: To devote one's life or blood as. sacrifice. “Lit.,. am poured out as. libation 2 Timothy 4:6” (Vincent p. 440). “When. sacrifice, such as. burnt offering with its accompanying cereal offerings, was presented in the temple at Jerusalem,. drink-offering or libation of wine or olive oil might be poured over it or beside it. This was added last, and completed the sacrifice” (Bruce p. 88). This same was true in reference to the offerings of the pagan religions. So the Philippians were familiar with the symbolism here. Most commentators think that Paul is referring to his possible imminent death, yet the tense of the word "offered" is present, that is, something that is happening to Paul when he writes this letter and that will continue to happen. Jackson says, “To make. libation of one's self by expending energy and life in the service of the Gospel” (p. 51). and yet, this unselfish giving could result in his death. Paul exhorts them and says that he is pouring himself out (“running and “laboring”) for them as well (2 Corinthians 12:15).

Paul reminds the Philippians, lest they begin to feel sorry for themselves, that he is making sacrifices for them too, and such an unselfish spending of himself for them and for all Gentiles, could result in his death. How soon do we forget that, some 2000 years later, we also greatly benefit from the sacrifices that the apostles made? If such men were willing to lay their lives on the line so that generations to come might have the opportunity to read the Word of God and be saved, shouldn't we at least take the time to invest in our own salvation, not to mention, the salvation of others?

“I joy”: What unselfishness! No bitterness or resentment here (2 Corinthians 12:15). “And rejoice with you all”: “And share the joy of you all” (TCNT). This infers that there was joy among the Philippians for Paul to share in. First Century Christians rejoiced, even when their faith demanded sacrifices of them. Have we restored that aspect of New Testament Christianity? Do we have the spirit of being glad and proud to serve? Of being ready to sacrifice for the souls of others and finding wholesome and true delight in such?