4689. spendó

Lexical Summary

spendó: To pour out as a drink offering, to make a libation

Original Word: σπένδω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: spendó
Pronunciation: spen'-do
Phonetic Spelling: (spen'-do)
KJV: (be ready to) be offered
NASB: drink offering, poured out as a drink
Word Origin: [apparently a primary verb]

1. to pour out as a libation
2. (figuratively) to devote (one's life or blood, as a sacrifice)
3. "spend"

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

to pour out as a drink offering

Apparently a primary verb; to pour out as a libation, i.e. (figuratively) to devote (one's life or blood, as a sacrifice) ("spend") -- (be ready to) be offered.

HELPS Word-studies

4689 spéndō – properly, to make a libation (drink-offering). A libation (a liquid offering) is poured out to symbolize total surrender (even unto death). 4689 (spéndō) means "to pour out as a drink-offering, make a libation; figuratively, 'I am poured out or offered as a libation' (in the shedding of my life-blood), Phil 2:17" (Abbott-Smith); that is, the " 'outpouring' of one's life blood in service and suffering" (Souter).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. verb
Definition
to pour out (as a drink offering), to make a libation
NASB Translation
drink offering (2), poured out as a drink (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4689: σπένδω

σπένδω: present passive σπένδομαι; (cf. German spenden (perhaps of the 'tossing away' of a liquid, Curtius, § 296; but cf. Vanicek, p. 1245f)); from Homer down; the Sept. for נָסַך; to pour out as a drink-offering, make a libation; in the N. T. σπένδεσθαι, to be offered as a libation, is figuratively used of one whose blood is poured out in a violent death for the cause of God: Philippians 2:17 (see θυσία, b. at the end); 2 Timothy 4:6.

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Imagery

The verb σπένδομαι depicts the deliberate act of being “poured out” as a libation upon the altar. In Scripture it assumes metaphorical force: the life of a servant of Christ can itself become a drink offering, expended entirely for God’s glory and for the edification of the church.

Old Testament Background

The Pentateuch repeatedly commands that certain sacrifices be accompanied by “drink offerings” (for example, Numbers 15:5, 7, 10). Wine was measured and emptied at the base of the altar, symbolizing total consecration and joyful fellowship with God. Because the libation was irretrievably lost to human use the imagery naturally came to signify absolute devotion. Every drop belonged to the Lord; nothing was held back.

New Testament Usage

1. Philippians 2:17—“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.” Paul envisions his apostolic labor, and even the possibility of martyrdom, as a conscious libation complementing the Philippians’ own sacrificial worship. His life is expendable if, by its being poured out, their living sacrifice is perfected (compare Romans 12:1).
2. 2 Timothy 4:6—“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.” Nearing execution, Paul views the final ebb of his earthly life as the completion of the pouring begun years earlier. The perfecting of his service will coincide with his “departure,” a nautical term picturing a ship’s ropes loosed for voyage to harbor, emphasizing hope rather than loss.

Theology of Self-Sacrifice

Paul’s vocabulary elevates Christian service beyond mere duty to priestly worship. Believers are a “holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5); their lives, ministries, and even deaths can partake of sacrificial significance. The libation motif underscores:
• Voluntariness—No Old Testament drink offering was forced; it flowed willingly.
• Irrevocability—Once poured, it cannot be recovered; genuine surrender is without reservation.
• God-centeredness—The offering is presented to God, not to men; applause or recognition cannot be its motivation.
• Joy—Paul “rejoices” while being poured out, echoing the festival tone of the original ceremony.

Historical Context of Drink Offerings

In the Greco-Roman world libations of wine or oil were common at meals, treaties, and funerary rites, signifying honor to deities or the dead. Paul’s Jewish background and Roman surroundings thus provided overlapping cultural images familiar to his audiences. Yet he reoriented the symbol exclusively to the living God revealed in Jesus Christ, cleansing it of pagan associations and grounding it in Israel’s covenant worship.

Ministry Implications

• Leadership—Pastors and missionaries are called to expend themselves for their flock. Ministry without cost contradicts the libation paradigm (see 2 Corinthians 12:15).
• Fellowship—The imagery joins Paul’s offering with the Philippians’ “service,” teaching that individual sacrifice finds fullest meaning when integrated with the corporate faith of the church.
• Perseverance—Facing martyrdom, Paul interprets imminent death not as defeat but as worship completed. This perspective has sustained countless believers under persecution.
• Stewardship of Life—Time, resources, and gifts are to be “poured out” intentionally rather than spilled wastefully. The libation warns against hoarding for self-interest.

Early Church Reception

Patristic writings frequently echo the language of being “poured out,” especially in martyr accounts such as those of Polycarp and Ignatius. They saw their sufferings as continuations of Paul’s libation, giving credibility to the gospel before a watching world.

Devotional Reflections

Believers may ask: What areas of my life remain unpoured? Have comfort, reputation, or future plans been withheld from the altar? Communion at the Lord’s Table, where the cup recalls Christ’s own poured-out blood, provides recurring opportunity to renew such consecration.

Summary

σπένδομαι focuses the mind on a life willingly expended for Jesus Christ. Whether in daily service or in the ultimate witness of death, to be “poured out” is to transform every moment into an act of worship whose fragrance rises to God and whose overflow strengthens the faith of others.

Forms and Transliterations

εσπείσαμεν έσπεισαν έσπεισεν έσπενδον σπείσαι σπείσει σπείσεις σπένδει σπένδειν σπενδομαι σπένδομαι σπένδοντες spendomai spéndomai

Englishman's Concordance

Philippians 2:17 V-PIM/P-1S
GRK: εἰ καὶ σπένδομαι ἐπὶ τῇ
NAS: if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice
KJV: and if I be offered upon
INT: if also I am poured out on the

2 Timothy 4:6 V-PIM/P-1S
GRK: γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι καὶ ὁ
NAS: For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time
KJV: now ready to be offered, and
INT: indeed already am being poured out and the

Strong's Greek 4689
2 Occurrences

σπένδομαι — 2 Occ.