Many wonder what exactly Paul means here. This question is not easy to answer. We can summarize it as follows: Paul calls the faith of the Philippians a sacrificial offering and worship to God. In addition, Paul’s blood is (possibly) spilled if he were to die as a martyr, just as wine was poured out as a libation (drink offering) in other sacrifices in the Old Testament (see Exodus 29:38–41, Numbers 15:4–10 and Numbers 28:7, Numbers 28:14).
Here Paul speaks in guarded terms about the end of his life. In 2 Timothy 4:6 he does this more emphatically, in comparable words (I am already being poured out as a drink offering,
or: my blood is already being poured out as an offering). Yet in this epistle to the Philippians, he does not mean that he expects to die soon (see Philippians 1:24–25). He faces the possibility of his death here: even if I am to be poured out.
We can consider drink offering
as a climax after the words run
and labour in vain
in Philippians 2:16. Thus, Paul arrives at the joy, which the entire letter is filled with. So, even if his blood were to be shed, it would not diminish his joy. The words sacrificial offering
and worship
which he uses in this verse for the faith of the Philippians also speak of joy. He wants to be glad and rejoice with the Philippians in everything.
17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.