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  • Philippians 2:17
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
    • 17 However, even if I am being poured out like a drink offering+ on the sacrifice+ and the holy service* to which your faith has led you, I am glad and I rejoice with all of you.

  • Philippians 2:17
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
    • 17 ᾿Αλλὰ But εἰ if καὶ also σπένδομαι I am being poured as libation ἐπὶ upon τῇ the θυσίᾳ sacrifice καὶ and λειτουργίᾳ public work τῆς of the πίστεως faith ὑμῶν, of YOU, χαίρω I am rejoicing καὶ and συνχαίρω I am rejoicing with πᾶσιν all ὑμῖν· YOU;

  • Philippians 2:17
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
    • 17 Notwithstanding, even if I am* being poured out like a drink offering*+ upon the sacrifice+ and public service to which faith has led YOU,+ I am glad and I rejoice+ with all of YOU.*

  • Philippians 2:17
    The Bible in Living English
    • 17 nay, if I am even going to be poured out as the wine over the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am joyous, and share in the joy you are all having.

  • Philippians 2:17
    American Standard Version
    • 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
    The Emphasized Bible
    • 17 Nay! if I am even to be poured out as a drink-offering upon the sacrifice and public ministry of your faith I rejoice, yea rejoice together with you all,—

  • Philippians 2:17
    King James Version
    • 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

  • Philippians
    Watch Tower Publications Index 1986-2026
    • 2:17 it-2 528; nwt 1697; w00 11/15 12

  • Philippians
    Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985
    • 2:17 bw 58; w62 430

  • Philippians
    Research Guide for Jehovah’s Witnesses—2019 Edition
    • 2:17

      Insight, Volume 2, p. 528

      New World Translation, p. 1697

      The Watchtower,

      11/15/2000, p. 12

  • Philippians Study Notes—Chapter 2
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
    • 2:17

      I am: Or “my life is.”​—See study note on I am being poured out like a drink offering in this verse.

      I am being poured out like a drink offering: The Israelites presented drink offerings of wine along with most other offerings, pouring out the cup of wine on the altar. (Le 23:18, 37; Nu 15:2, 5, 10; 28:7) Here Paul refers to himself as a figurative drink offering. He expressed his willingness to drain himself both physically and emotionally to support the Philippians and other fellow Christians as they presented their spiritual sacrifices and performed their “holy service” to God. (Compare 2Co 12:15.) Shortly before his death, he wrote to Timothy: “I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my releasing is imminent.”​—2Ti 4:6.

      the holy service: Or “the public service.” Paul applies this term to the Christian ministry. His diligent and loving service in behalf of fellow worshippers in Philippi had truly benefited them. In turn, the faith of the Christians in Philippi had led them to engage in such service for other people. For Christians in the Roman colony of Philippi, the Greek word lei·tour·giʹa, used here, may have called to mind civic duties performed for the benefit of the community. (See study note on 2Co 9:12.) Such duties implied a financial cost, reminding the Philippians that faithful service involved personal sacrifices. In the Christian Greek Scriptures, this and related Greek terms are frequently used in connection with the temple service and the Christian ministry. For this usage, see study notes on Lu 1:23; Ac 13:2; Ro 13:6; 15:16.

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