Philippians- Everyman's Bible Commentary by John Walvoord

Author:John Walvoord
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781575679020
Publisher: Moody Publishers

THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL, 2:17-18

The standard which Paul is holding before the Philippian church is one which he himself is willing to apply to his own life. If anyone had a right to complain, it was Paul, who had already spent years in prison as a direct result of his faithfulness to the Lord. Here, however, he states his own point of view: he is willing to die if necessary to accomplish his mission. He writes, “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.” Paul had already suffered much for Christ, as outlined in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29. Now he is willing to be a sacrifice poured out, whether as a libation complementing their faith, like the drink offering of Jewish sacrifices, or in the sense of pouring out his blood. If his own suffering and even death would further the cause of the Philippian church, he is willing to submit to the will of God with joy and rejoicing. The word service has in view a sacred ritual or form of worship. There was more to the sacrificial system than just the sacrifice itself.

The last clause of verse 17, “with you all,” suggests that Paul regards the church as a unit and is not siding with any factions. If he was serving them, he was serving them all. If he was to have joy and rejoicing in them, he would recognize God’s grace in all of them.

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