1. Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. ‘blameless’ Blameless, faultless, without spot What do these words remind you of? Notice that Paul is introducing the theme of Sacrifice.

2. But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you—and in the same way you also must be glad and rejoice with me. It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. libation sacrifice Glad and rejoice How can “joy” and “sacrifice” be brought together?

3. Joy and Sacrifice Notice how Paul brings together the themes of “joy” and “sacrifice” through his use of the metaphor of “libation.”

4. Yes, but, what does it all MEAN, Basil? Well, you tell me…

5. What does the “libation” mean? What metaphor is being pictured? How should we interpret Paul’s metaphor? Some possibilities: --A reference to the symbolic use of the libation in the OT sacrificial system --A reference to Paul’s martyrdom Which do YOU think?

6. “Libation” as a link to the OT: “…and as a drink offering you shall offer one-third a hin of wine, a pleasing odor to the LORD.” Numbers 15.7 In the OT sacrificial system, the poured out libation was the symbol of joy: the picture of God’s happy receiving of the sacrifice and His blessing upon His people. Note: this is a solid way of uniting the themes of sacrifice and joy!

7. “Libation” as a metaphor for Martyrdom: ‘He said to them, “This is the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”’ Mark 14.24 The Greek spendomai has “cultic associations (Silva)” and could easily be used as a reference to martyrdom. The Greek sygchairo can be translated as “rejoice” or even “congratulate (Thurston)” Because martyrdom was thought of as a high calling and an honor, Paul could be thinking of a potential martyrdom as a reward from Christ, for which the Philippians should congratulate him. This theory also successfully unites “joy” and “sacrifice”!

8. So… Which theory is correct?! The answer is: YES!

9. How would your congregation react if you, as the pastor, adopted this Pauline perspective on ministry?