OET interlinear PHP 2:17

2:17a

But: There are two ways to interpret how 2:16 and 2:17 connect, depending on the meaning of the Greek word alla, which the BSB translates as But.

1. The word alla introduces an additional thought. The main clause in 2:17 (“I am glad and rejoice with all of you”) agrees with what the author said or implied in 2:16. It does not indicate a contrast to 2:16. Many commentaries support this interpretation.For example, Gordon Fee. Also Tony Popr in personal correspondence with the author. (KJV, NJB)

2. The word alla means “but,” showing a contrast to the text preceding 2:17. (BSB, NIV, NET, NLT, REB)

It is recommended that you translate 2:17 as a continuation of rather than a contrast to 2:16. This may mean that you do not need to translate alla explicitly. Many English translations have left it implicit, as English does not always need a conjunction to indicate a further thought. Or you may need to use a “Yes” or a “No” at the beginning of 2:17 in your translation. This will depend on what part of 2:16 the main idea of 2:17 is adding to and agreeing with. The NJB uses “indeed” to indicate how the two verses relate.

even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith: Here Paul used a figure of speech to describe his situation. He referred to two different kinds of offerings. The Jewish priests killed animals on the altar as sacrifices. To accompany this they also poured wine out on the ground or on the dead animal (Numbers 15:1–12). This was called a drink offering. Paul compared the Philippians to the animal sacrifice, and he compared himself to the drink offering that completed their sacrifice.

Unbelievers were persecuting the Philippians because they chose to worship God and obey the good news of Jesus Christ. So their lives were like a sacrifice offered to God. Paul was suffering in prison and was in danger of death because he had preached the good news to many people. So he was like the drink offering that the priest poured on top of another offering. This does not mean that either Paul or the Philippians were about to die, though the drink offering could mean that Paul’s blood would soon to be poured out when he was executed.

If in your culture people do not sacrifice animals or make drink offerings, this metaphor may be very difficult for your readers to understand. If so, it will be important to make the comparison very clear in your translation. Or you may need to leave out the metaphor altogether and translate only the meaning behind it.

even if I am being poured out: The Greek verb here is in the present tense, but there are two ways in which that tense is understood here:

1. It should be translated as “even if I am to be poured out….” Paul used the present tense to refer to the future. He knew that the Romans might execute him. He was comparing the “pouring out” with the possibility of his death. (RSV, GNT, NJB, REB, NCV, CEV, NLT)

2. It should be translated as “even if I am being poured out….” Paul was referring to the suffering that he was already experiencing. (BSB, NIV, GW, NASB, NRSV, NET)

There is stronger support in commentaries and English versions for interpretation (1). Also see 2 Timothy 4:6, where Paul used the same verb to speak of his approaching death.Those who argue for interpretation (2) say that in the larger context of the letter, Paul nowhere suggested that he expected to die as the result of being in prison. In fact, Paul stated the opposite in 1:25b: “I know that I will remain [alive] and that I will continue with all of you.” See also 1:24 and 2:24. When he used the image of “sacrifice” in 2:17a, referring to the Philippian believers, Paul was not suggesting that they would die because they followed Christ. And in the same way, when Paul referred to himself as being like a “drink offering,” he did not mean that he would die rather than be released from prison. When he talked about a “drink offering” and a “sacrifice,” he was more likely referring to the fact that he and they struggled and suffered as believers.Also Paul used the present tense here (“I am being poured out”), not the future tense (“I will be poured out”). This also implies that he was talking about the suffering he was experiencing when he was writing the letter, not what would happen to him later. The following shows how this interpretation might be translated:I am suffering because of the good news, just as you are suffering because you believe it. Nevertheless, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

the sacrifice and service: This is a figure of speech in which the two words sacrifice and service refer to the same idea. So you could more clearly translate this as “the sacrificial service” or “the sacrificial offering” or “the offering of the sacrifice.” Their sacrifice is another way to say that the Philippians had been dedicated to God, as a sacrifice is dedicated to God.

of your faith: A literal translation of the Greek is “of your faith.” There are two basic ways to interpret this phrase:

1. Their faith was the reason or the motive for their “sacrifice”. (NIV, GNT, NCV)

2. Their faith was the “sacrifice.” The sacrificial offering represents the fact that they believed. For example:

   Your faith in the Lord and your service are like a sacrifice offered to him. (CEV) (CEV)

The first interpretation seems to be the more likely one in this context. So it is recommended that you follow it (1). The sacrifice was broader than just faith. It consisted of their lives wholly committed to God (SSA).

2:17b

I am glad and rejoice: In Greek these two verbs come from the same root verb and they can be literally translated as “I rejoice and I rejoice with [you].” Paul rejoiced because it was a privilege to suffer for Jesus Christ. And he said that he rejoiced with the Philippians because they believed the gospel that he preached, and they, like himself, were willing to suffer for their faith. See notes on 2:16c.