Philippians 2:17 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Yea, and if I be offered, &c.— The proper import of the words rendered offered upon, is, "to be poured forth, as a libation." Almost every reader must know, that as oil and wine made a part of the provisions of the table which God had ordained in the Jewish ritual, a proportionable quantity of each should attend every bullock, goat, ram, lamb, or kid, which was presented at his altar; so the heathens likewise used such libations; and sometimes they used blood, mingled with wine, in honour of idol deities. See Psalms 16:4. The Apostle considers the faith of the Philippians as an acceptable sacrifice presented to God; andif he incurred martyrdom for his zeal to promote it, he might speak of his blood, as a libation poured out, with great beauty and propriety. One cannot but observe the heroic manner in which the Apostle here speaks of his suffering; which he considers as matter of congratulation rather than of condolence. It brings to mind the behaviour of the brave Athenian mentioned by Plutarch, who returned to Athens from the victorious battle of Marathon, bleeding to death with the wounds he had received in the action; and coming directly to the house where the magistrates were assembled, uttered only these two words, χαιρετε, χαιρομεν : "Take your share of our joy;" and immediately dropped down dead at their feet.