The Joy of Martyrdom
R. Johnstone, LL. B. Philippians 2:17-18 Yes, and if I be offered on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.… The Greeks of old delighted to tell how Phidippides — fleetest of foot among his countrymen — having borne himself gallantly in the great fight at Marathon, darted from the field immediately after victory was secure, ran to Athens, related his tidings to the fathers of the city, closing with the words, "Rejoice ye, as we rejoice," and then, utterly exhausted by wounds and toil, fell down dead before them. The entire sinking of the thought or care of self in joy over the safety and glory of his native land was very beautiful. Yet the noblest feelings which arise out of any of the relations of man to what is earthly and visible, make but a feeble approach to the grandeur of spirit of him who "joys" to think of dying a cruel death, that the unseen God, the God whom he knows by faith only, may thereby be glorified. Paul believed that "out of the eater would come forth meat; and out of the strong, sweetness," — that from the place of his martyrdom there would exhale a rich fragrance of Christ, which would bring spiritual joy to many souls; — and therefore he would gladly "endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also might obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." (R. Johnstone, LL. B.) Parallel Verses KJV: Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. WEB: Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.