Albert Barnes Commentary Philippians 2:17

"Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:" — Philippians 2:17 (ASV)

Yea, and if I be offered. The marginal reading is poured forth. The mention of his labours 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 laboured 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 labours 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 used here—spendomai—properly means to pour out, to make a libation, and is commonly used in classical writers in connection with sacrifices. It refers to a drink-offering, where one who was about to offer a sacrifice, or to present a drink-offering to the gods, before he tasted of it himself, poured out a part of it on the altar. Passow.

It is also used to denote the fact that when an animal was about to be slain in sacrifice, wine was poured on it as a solemn act of devoting it to God. Compare to Numbers 15:6; Numbers 28:7, 14.

In a similar way, Paul may have regarded himself as a victim prepared for the sacrifice. In the New Testament, this word is found only in this place and in 2 Timothy 4:6, where it is rendered, I am ready to be offered. (See the notes on 2 Timothy 4:6).

This does not mean that Paul really expected to be a sacrifice, or to make an expiation for sin by his death. Instead, it means that he might be called to pour out his blood, or to offer up his life as if he were a sacrifice or an offering to God. We have a similar use of language when we say that a man sacrifices himself for his friends or his country.

Upon the sacrifice. epi th yusia. The word rendered here as sacrifice means:

1. The act of sacrificing;
2. The victim that is offered; and
3. Any oblation or offering. Robinson, Lex.

Here it must be used in the latter sense and is connected with "faith"—"the sacrifice of your faith." The reference is probably to the faith (that is, the religion) of the Philippians, regarded as a sacrifice or an offering to God—the worship which they rendered to him.

Paul's idea is that if, in order to make that offering what it should be—to make it as complete and acceptable to God as possible—it was necessary for him to die, pouring out his blood, strength, and life as wine was poured out to prepare a sacrifice for the altar and make it complete, he would not refuse to do it but would rejoice in the opportunity.

He seems to have regarded them as engaged in making an offering of faith and as endeavouring to make the offering complete and acceptable. He says that if his death was necessary to make their piety of the highest and most acceptable kind, he was ready to die.

And service (leitourgia)—a word taken from an act of worship or public service, and especially the ministry of those engaged in offering sacrifices (Luke 1:23; Hebrews 7:6). Here it means the ministering or service which the Philippians rendered to God: the worship which they offered, the essential element of which was faith.

Paul was willing to endure anything, even to suffer death in their cause, if it would tend to make their "service" more pure, spiritual, and acceptable to God. The meaning of the whole is:

1. That the sufferings and dangers which he now experienced were in their cause and on their behalf; and
2. That he was willing to lay down his life if their piety would be promoted and their worship be rendered more pure and acceptable to God.

I joy. That is, I am not afraid of death; and if my dying can be the means of promoting your piety, it will be a source of rejoicing (Compare to the notes on Philippians 1:23).

And rejoice with you all. My joy will be increased by anything that promotes yours. The fruits of my death will reach and benefit you, and it will be a source of mutual congratulation.