Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. — Philippians 2:17
Source Coverage: Philippians 2:17-18
Paul now speaks of his personal investment in their lives. He uses the picture of a race-he does not want to have run in vain or laboured in vain. Their faithfulness would be evidence of lasting fruit.
He also uses the picture of a sacrifice-being “offered,” like a drink offering poured out to the Lord. This reminds us of 2 Timothy 4:6, where Paul says he is ready to be poured out.
Like David pouring out the water in 2 Samuel 23:16, Paul saw his life as something to be given completely to God.
There is mutual joy here. Paul rejoices in their service, and they rejoice in his. When believers are living to please the Lord, there is shared joy in serving Him.
Source Coverage: Philippians 2:17-18
We are here attending the burial of our Lord Jesus. Oh that we may by grace be planted in the likeness of it! Joseph of Arimathea was one who waited for the kingdom of God. Those who hope for a share in its privileges, must own Christ's cause, when it seems to be crushed. This man God raised up for his service. There was a special providence, that Pilate should be so strict in his inquiry, that there might be no pretence to say Jesus was alive. Pilate gave Joseph leave to take down
the body, and do what he pleased with it. Some of the women beheld where Jesus was laid, that they might come after the sabbath to anoint the dead body, because they had not time to do it before. Special notice was taken of Christ's sepulchre, because he was to rise again. And he will not forsake those who trust in him, and call upon him. Death, deprived of its sting, will soon end the believer's sorrows, as it ended those of the Saviour.
Paul now speaks of his personal investment in their lives. He uses the picture of a race-he does not want to have run in vain or laboured in vain. Their faithfulness would be evidence of lasting fruit.
He also uses the picture of a sacrifice-being “offered,” like a drink offering poured out to the Lord. This reminds us of 2 Timothy 4:6, where Paul says he is ready to be poured out.
Like David pouring out the water in 2 Samuel 23:16, Paul saw his life as something to be given completely to God.
There is mutual joy here. Paul rejoices in their service, and they rejoice in his. When believers are living to please the Lord, there is shared joy in serving Him.
We are here attending the burial of our Lord Jesus. Oh that we may by grace be planted in the likeness of it! Joseph of Arimathea was one who waited for the kingdom of God. Those who hope for a share in its privileges, must own Christ's cause, when it seems to be crushed. This man God raised up for his service. There was a special providence, that Pilate should be so strict in his inquiry, that there might be no pretence to say Jesus was alive. Pilate gave Joseph leave to take down
the body, and do what he pleased with it. Some of the women beheld where Jesus was laid, that they might come after the sabbath to anoint the dead body, because they had not time to do it before. Special notice was taken of Christ's sepulchre, because he was to rise again. And he will not forsake those who trust in him, and call upon him. Death, deprived of its sting, will soon end the believer's sorrows, as it ended those of the Saviour.