King James Version

What Does Philippians 2:17 Mean?

Philippians 2:17 in the King James Version says “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. offered: Gr. pou... — study this verse from Philippians chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Philippians 2:17 · KJV


Context

15

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; harmless: or, sincere ye shine: or, shine ye

16

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

17

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

18

For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

19

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. But: or, Moreover


Commentary

KJV Study 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).

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does viewing martyrdom as a 'drink offering' (spendomai) reframe suffering and death?
  2. Can you 'rejoice' (chairō) in the prospect of loss or death like Paul does?
  3. How is your faith-life a 'sacrifice and service' (thysia kai leitourgia) unto God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
ἀλλ'1 of 17

Yea

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

εἰ2 of 17
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

καὶ3 of 17

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σπένδομαι4 of 17

I be offered

G4689

to pour out as a libation, i.e., (figuratively) to devote (one's life or blood, as a sacrifice) ("spend")

ἐπὶ5 of 17

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῇ6 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυσίᾳ7 of 17

the sacrifice

G2378

sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively)

καὶ8 of 17

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λειτουργίᾳ9 of 17

service

G3009

public function (as priest ("liturgy") or almsgiver)

τῆς10 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστεως11 of 17

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ὑμῶν12 of 17

of your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

χαίρω13 of 17

I joy

G5463

to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well

καὶ14 of 17

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

συγχαίρω15 of 17

rejoice with

G4796

to sympathize in gladness, congratulate

πᾶσιν16 of 17

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὑμῖν·17 of 17

you

G5213

to (with or by) you


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Philippians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Philippians 2:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Philippians 2:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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