Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

(Acc. Gen. Ref.) of Christ (Gen. Ref.; rewards at the
Judgment Seat), so that (result) I have not (neg. particle)
exerted myself to the limit (tre,cw, AAI1S, Culminative;
running a swift race, rushing into battle, idiom for
”studying") in vain (Acc. Manner; to no purpose) nor (neg.
adv.) struggled (kopia,w, AAI1S, Culminative; work hard, toil,
weary in teaching) in vain (Acc. Manner; no end result).
WHO
Philippians 2:16 lo,gon zwh/j evpe,contej eivj kau,chma evmoi. eivj h`me,ran Cristou/ o[ti ouvk eivj
keno.n e;dramon ouvde. eivj keno.n evkopi,asa
VUL
Philippians 2:16 verbum vitae continentes ad gloriam meam in die Christi quia non in
vacuum cucurri neque in vacuum laboravi
LWB Philp. 2:17 But even if I am poured out as a libation [demanding life of a pastorteacher]
upon the altar of spiritual sacrifice [studying] and service [teaching] with
reference to your doctrine [so you can grow], I keep on having inner happiness and I
congratulate all of you [for keeping up with me].
KW Philp. 2:17 In fact, if also I am being poured out as a libation upon the sacrifice and priestly
service of your faith, I rejoice and continue to rejoice with you all.
KJV
Philippians 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy,
and rejoice with you all.
TRANSLATION HIGHLIGHTS
Paul uses a protasis of a 1 st class condition, which in this context means, “Yes, I am being poured out
as a libation on your behalf.” This is an idiom for the unusually demanding life of a pastor-teacher
(Pictorial Present tense), who spends day and night studying and teaching the Word of God. The
altar of spiritual sacrifice represents the priestly function of studying the Word; the altar of service
represents the ambassador function of teaching the Word. The twin functions of studying and
teaching the Word of God are portrayed by Paul by the picture of an Old Testament liturgy (Gk.).
The wine libation that is being poured out is the life of the pastor-teacher who studies and teaches
Bible doctrine so his congregation can grow spiritually.
Even though this is a tough, demanding life, Paul continues to maintain inner happiness during it all.
In spite of the suffering and imprisonments he has endured, he did not throw a pity party and wallow
in depression. He maintained inner happiness (Durative Present tense) regardless of the situation.
And he congratulates the Philippian believers (Static Present tense) who have continued to listen to
his teaching and read his letters without fail. He thanks them for keeping up with him, by having
maximum positive volition towards Bible doctrine and moving continually forward in the spiritual
life.