Philippians 2:17
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλ'
Yea
G235
ἀλλ'
Yea
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σπένδομαι
I be offered
G4689
σπένδομαι
I be offered
Strong's:
G4689
Word #:
4 of 17
to pour out as a libation, i.e., (figuratively) to devote (one's life or blood, as a sacrifice) ("spend")
ἐπὶ
upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυσίᾳ
the sacrifice
G2378
θυσίᾳ
the sacrifice
Strong's:
G2378
Word #:
7 of 17
sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λειτουργίᾳ
service
G3009
λειτουργίᾳ
service
Strong's:
G3009
Word #:
9 of 17
public function (as priest ("liturgy") or almsgiver)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστεως
faith
G4102
πίστεως
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
11 of 17
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
χαίρω
I joy
G5463
χαίρω
I joy
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
13 of 17
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
2 Timothy 4:6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.Romans 15:16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.2 Corinthians 12:15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.Colossians 1:24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:2 Corinthians 7:4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.Philippians 1:20According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Historical Context
Drink offerings were common in Jewish sacrificial system and Greco-Roman pagan worship. Paul Christianizes the metaphor: believers' faithful living is spiritual sacrifice (Rom 12:1); Paul's martyrdom is supplementary libation. This isn't earning salvation but consecration. Early Christian martyrs (Ignatius, Polycarp) echoed this joy-in-martyrdom, astonishing pagan observers. Paul's readiness to die joyfully modeled the gospel's transforming power.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing martyrdom as a 'drink offering' (spendomai) reframe suffering and death?
- Can you 'rejoice' (chairō) in the prospect of loss or death like Paul does?
- How is your faith-life a 'sacrifice and service' (thysia kai leitourgia) unto God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all (Ἀλλὰ εἰ καὶ σπένδομαι ἐπὶ τῇ θυσίᾳ καὶ λειτουργίᾳ τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν, χαίρω καὶ συγχαίρω πᾶσιν ὑμῖν, Alla ei kai spendomai epi tē thysia kai leitourgia tēs pisteōs hymōn, chairō kai synchairō pasin hymin)—Spendomai ("I am poured out as a drink offering") is cultic language. Drink offerings accompanied sacrifices (Num 15:1-10). Paul pictures his potential martyrdom as libation poured over the Philippians' sacrificial faith-offering. Epi tē thysia kai leitourgia ("upon the sacrifice and service") uses priestly terminology. Thysia ("sacrifice") and leitourgia ("service, ministry") describe the Philippians' faith as worship-offering to God.
Despite potential martyrdom, Paul says chairō kai synchairō ("I rejoice and rejoice together"). The double joy—personal and corporate—shows martyrdom as privilege, not tragedy. Pasin hymin ("with you all") invites Philippians to share his joy, not grieve his death. This verse displays Paul's Christ-saturated perspective: death in God's service is gain (1:21), joyful participation in Christ's sufferings (3:10).