Philippians 2:17 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

Yea, and if, х Alla (G235) ei (G1487) kai (G2532)] - 'Yea, if even:' implying the contingency as not unlikely. He had assumed the possibility of his being alive at Christ's coming (for in every age Christ designed Christians to stand prepared for His coming as at hand): he here puts a supposition as more likely; namely, his own death before Christ's coming.

I be offered, х spendomai (G4689)] - 'I am being poured out' as a drink offering. Present, not future, as the danger is threatening him now. As in sacrifices drink offerings of wine were 'poured out' to accompany the offerings, so the faith of his Philippian converts is the sacrifice, and his blood the drink offering 'poured out' with it (cf. Romans 15:16; 2 Timothy 4:6). The Jewish libation was not poured upon the sacrifice, but around the altar, (Numbers 15:5; Numbers 28:7). [Therefore epi (G1909) is 'in': literally, 'unto the sacrifice.']

Service, х leitourgia (G3009)] - 'priest's ministration:' carrying out the image.

I ... rejoice - for myself (Philippians 1:21; Philippians 1:23). His expectation of release is fainter than in the letters to Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, written earlier from Rome. The appointment of Tigellinus to be praetorian prefect was probably the cause of this change. See 'Introduction.'

Rejoice with you all. Not 'I congratulate you all,' which is against New Testament Greek usage; but 'I jointly rejoice with you all'-namely, at your "joy of faith" (Philippians 1:18; Philippians 1:25). For their rejoicing would not be at Paul's death: for (cf. Philippians 1:22; Philippians 1:24-25) what he means is, even his death will not change his joy at their faith, and with them in their joy of faith. He exhorts them also (Philippians 2:18) to rejoice and join with him in this their common joy of faith, even in the possible prospect of his martyrdom (Philippians 1:21).

Philippians 2:17

17 Yea, and if I be offeredc upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.