Paul describes his life as being poured out as a ‘drink offering’ in his ministry to the church. What is Paul referring to and what does this mean?
The drink offering
The first mention of the drink-offering (called a libation) is in Genesis 35:14.1 Jacob sets up an alter and pours out a drink-offering to God. This is in response to having met with God, where God changes Jacob’s name to Israel, and gives him a blessing and several promises. Jacob had done something similar (but only used oil), when he was traveling to Haran and met God in a dream. (Genesis 28) The difference is that in Genesis 35 Jacob used wine in addition to oil, and it is called a libation.
In other Old Testament passages, an amount of wine for the libation is prescribed to be poured out with certain sacrifices, but the significance of the libation is not explained. The sacrifices and the libation poured out are described as a soothing aroma to God.
The ATS Bible Dictionary describes the drink-offering as, “A small quantity of wine, part of which was to be poured on the sacrifice or meat offering, and the residue given to the priests, Exodus 29:40; Lev 23:18; Numbers 15:5,7. It may have been appointed as an acknowledgment that all the blessings of the earth are from God, Genesis 35:14.”2
Paul -a Drink Offering
The apostle Paul uses the concept of the drink-offering several times in his writings when talking about his work in the lives of men. Concerning Paul’s reference to the drink-offering, Charles Spurgeon explains, “When there was a burnt-sacrifice offered, the bullock or the victim then slain was the main part of the sacrifice. But sometimes there was a little, what if I say an unimportant, supplement added to that sacrifice — a little oil and a little wine were poured on to the altar or the bullock, and thus a drink-offering was said to be added to the burnt-offering. Now, Paul does not venture to call himself an offering, — Christ is his offering. Christ is, so to speak, the sacrifice on the altar. He likens himself only to that little wine and oil poured out as a supplement thereto, not necessary to its perfection, but tolerated in performing a vow, or allowed in connection with a free will offering. The drink-offering was thus a kind of addendum, by which the person who gave it showed his thankfulness.”3
As Spurgeon points out, Paul does not claim to be the sacrifice, but rather like a free will offering. Paul’s offering to God for the disciples was in order to bring them to maturity and present them complete in Christ. Pouring out his life for believers to build up their faith was his service to them. He shared his knowledge and wisdom of God with them, and demonstrated his heart for God to them by the way he lived. For more on Paul’s life of service, see my article titled, Built Up in the Faith.
Cause for Rejoicing
In Philippians 2:17, Paul says that, “even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.” Even though his life is being used up in service, it is a cause of rejoicing, not sorrow. Some might think that Paul is putting a positive spin on a negative situation, but it goes much deeper than that. It is the expression of the Christian mindset being demonstrated by Paul. The way of thinking is first demonstrated to us by Christ when He did not come “to be served, but to serve,” (Matthew 20:28) giving His life for the benefit of many. Christ even went so far as to humble Himself, “by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8) Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before Him.” (Hebrews 12:2)
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul echoes this same sentiment, rejoicing in his suffering for their sake (1:24), and later says, “And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.”4 His goal for each man is to pour out his life so they can grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Again, this same idea is used in 2 Corinthians 12:15 when Paul says, “And I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls.” Paul is not doing this grudgingly, but is choosing to rejoice in the opportunity. Also, in 2 Timothy 4:6, Paul describes the end of his ministry as his life “being poured out as a drink offering.” He sees the end coming and knows that the expenditure of his life for others is pleasing to God.
Metaphor
The drink-offering has been seen as a metaphor for the work of Christ. During the Last Supper, Jesus described the pouring out of His blood in this way, “for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” The old covenant libation and it’s fragrant aroma foreshadowed Jesus’ blood of the new covenant. Whereas it was necessary for the libation to repeatedly be poured out, the blood of Jesus was poured out once for all. Jesus entered the Holy of Holies “not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)
Conclusion
The New Testament describes the Christian as both a priest and a sacrifice to God -a drink-offering if you will. The book of Hebrews reminds us that through Jesus, “let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”5 It is the sacrifice of ourselves in our priestly duty to Christ that pleases the Father.
1 “And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He had spoken with him, a pillar of stone, and he poured out a libation on it; he also poured oil on it.”
2 ATS -American Tract Society
3 https://biblehub.com/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_17_1871/a_last_look-out.htm 9/28/22
4 Colossians 1:28
5 Hebrews 13:15, 16