Philippians 2:17

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Philippians 2:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:
Philippians 2:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Philippians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yea, and if I be offered, etc.] 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…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Yea, and if--rather as Greek, "Yea, if even"; implying that he regarded the contingency as not unlikely: He had assumed the possibility of his being found alive at Christ's coming (for in every age Christ designed Christians to stand in preparedness for His coming as at hand): he here puts a supposition which he regards as more likely, namely, his own death before Christ's coming. I be offered--rather as Greek, "I am poured out." "I am made a libation." Present, not future, as the danger is threatening him now. As in sacrifices libations of wine were "poured upon" the offerings, so he represents his Philippian converts, offered through faith (or else their faith itself), as the sacrifice,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Yea, and if I be offered - Margin, “poured forth.” The mention of his labors 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 labored 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 labors in their behalf. Yet he says that, even if this should happen, he would not regret it, but it would be a source of joy. The word which is used here - σπένδομαι spendomai - properly means, to pour…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Here he begins to treat of the latter clause of Phi 1:22. Yea, and if I be offered - Literally, If I be poured out. Upon the sacrifice of your faith - The Philippians, as the other converted heathens, were a sacrifice to God through St. Paul's ministry, Rom 15:16. And as in sacrificing, wine was poured at the foot of the altar, so he was willing that his blood should be poured out. The expression well agrees with that kind of martyrdom by which he was afterwards offered up to God. Philippians 2:18”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:17-18 I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God: Both Jews and pagans often poured out a libation of wine either on a sacrifice or at the base of the altar in honor of the deity. Paul’s entire life was an offering to God (cp. Rom 12:1; 15:16). • Faithful service is a cause for rejoicing, because nothing done for God is in vain (see 1 Cor 15:58).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and if: Phi 2:30, Phi 1:20; Act 20:24, Act 21:13; Co2 12:15; Th1 2:8; Ti2 4:6; Jo1 3:16 offered: Gr. poured forth the sacrifice: Phi 4:18; Rom 12:1, Rom 15:16; Heb 13:15, Heb 13:16; Pe1 2:5 I joy: Co2 7:4; Col 1:24; Th1 3:7-9 Philippians 2:18”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification