For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow. I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such people in honor, because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
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Philippians 2:27-30 sits inside this longer paragraph.
But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing. For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you. For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. But you know the proof of him, that as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News. Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly. But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need, since he longed for you all, and was very troubled because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow. I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such people in honor, because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
Parallel Translations
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For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.
I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such people in honor,
because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
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And no doute he was sicke and that nye vnto deeth. But god had mercy on him: not on him only but on me also lest I shuld have had sorowe apon sorowe.
I sent him therfore the diligentliar that when ye shuld se him ye myght reioyce agayne and I myght be the lesse sorowfull.
Receave him therfore in the lorde with all gladnes and make moche of soche:
because that for the worke of Christ he went so farre that he was nye vnto deeth and regarded not his lyfe to fulfill that service which was lackynge on youre parte towarde me.
Show all 3 translations
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And no doubt he was sicke, very neere vnto death: but God had mercie on him, and not on him onely, but on me also, least I should haue sorowe vpon sorowe.
I sent him therefore the more diligently, that when yee shoulde see him againe, yee might reioyce, and I might be the lesse sorowfull.
Receiue him therefore in the Lord with all gladnesse, and make much of such:
Because that for the woorke of Christ he was neere vnto death, and regarded not his life, to fulfill that seruice which was lacking on your part towarde me.
Cross-references (64)
- Psalms 34:19 (v27) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.
- John 16:22 (v28) Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12 (v29) But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,
- 1 Corinthians 16:18 (v29) For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that.
- 1 Timothy 5:17 (v29) Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
Show all 63 cross-references
- 2 Timothy 1:4 (v28) longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;
- 1 Corinthians 16:17 (v30) I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.
- Philippians 2:30 (v27) because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
- Job 5:19 (v27) He will deliver you in six troubles; yes, in seven no evil will touch you.
- Psalms 103:3-4 (v27) who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and…
- Matthew 10:40-41 (v29) He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will…
- John 11:3-4 (v27) The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.” But when Jesus heard it, he said,…
- Acts 9:37 (v27) In those days, she became sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
- Acts 20:24 (v30) But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I…
- Romans 16:2 (v29) that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she…
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 (v27) No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able,…
- 2 Corinthians 2:7 (v27) so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his…
- Philippians 2:26-27 (v28) since he longed for you all, and was very troubled because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God…
- Philippians 4:10 (v30) But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you…
- 1 Corinthians 16:10 (vv29–30) Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.
- Genesis 45:27-28 (v28) They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of…
- Genesis 46:29-30 (v28) Joseph prepared his chariot, and went up to meet Israel, his father, in Goshen. He presented himself to him, and fell on his neck, and wept…
- Isaiah 43:2 (v27) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire,…
- Acts 20:38 (v28) sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
- 2 Corinthians 2:3 (v28) And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in…
- 2 Corinthians 10:18 (v29) For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
- Philippians 4:18 (v30) But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance,…
- Genesis 48:11 (v28) Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.”
- 2 Kings 20:1 (v27) In those days Hezekiah was sick and dying. Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Yahweh says, ‘Set your house…
- Psalms 30:1-3 (v27) I will extol you, Yahweh, for you have raised me up, and have not made my foes to rejoice over me. Yahweh my God, I cried to you, and you…
- Psalms 30:10-11 (v27) Hear, Yahweh, and have mercy on me. Yahweh, be my helper.” You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth,…
- Psalms 107:18-22 (v27) Their soul abhors all kinds of food. They draw near to the gates of death. Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, he saves them out of…
- Ecclesiastes 9:1-2 (v27) For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God;…
- Isaiah 27:8 (v27) In measure, when you send them away, you contend with them. He has removed them with his rough blast in the day of the east wind.
- Isaiah 38:17 (v27) Behold, for peace I had great anguish, but you have in love for my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; for you have cast all my…
- Isaiah 52:7 (v29) How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news, who proclaims…
- Jeremiah 8:18 (v27) Oh that I could comfort myself against sorrow! My heart is faint within me.
- Jeremiah 10:24 (v27) Yahweh, correct me, but gently; not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.
- Habakkuk 3:2 (v27) Yahweh, I have heard of your fame. I stand in awe of your deeds, Yahweh. Renew your work in the middle of the years. In the middle of the…
- Matthew 25:36-40 (v30) I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him,…
- Luke 2:10-11 (v29) The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born…
- Luke 9:5 (v29) As many as don’t receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”
- John 13:20 (v29) Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”
- Acts 2:46 (v29) Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and…
- Acts 8:8 (v29) There was great joy in that city.
- Acts 9:39-41 (v27) Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing…
- Acts 28:10 (v29) They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.
- Romans 10:15 (v29) And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace,…
- Romans 16:4 (v30) who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.
- 1 Corinthians 15:53 (v30) For this perishable body must become imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
- 2 Corinthians 7:2 (v29) Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.
- 2 Corinthians 12:15 (v30) I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
- Ephesians 4:9-12 (v29) Now this, “He ascended”, what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the one who…
- Philippians 1:19-20 (v30) For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my…
- Philippians 2:17 (v30) Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.
- Philippians 2:27 (v30) For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on…
- Colossians 4:10 (v29) Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to…
- Philemon 1:13 (v30) whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
- Hebrews 13:17 (v29) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with…
- 1 John 1:3-4 (v28) that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father,…
- 3 John 1:10 (v29) Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this,…
- Revelation 12:11 (v30) They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death.
- Jeremiah 45:3 (v27) ‘You said, “Woe is me now! For Yahweh has added sorrow to my pain! I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.” ’
63 distinct cross-references across this passage (64 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (19 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv27–30 27 But God had mercy on him. He had…
27 But God had mercy on him. He had expressed the severity of the disease — that Epaphroditus had been sick, so that life was despaired of, in order that the goodness of God might shine forth more clearly in his restored health. It is, however, surprising that he should ascribe it to the mercy of God that Epaphroditus had had his period of life prolonged, while he had previously declared that he desired death in preference to life. (Philippians 1:23.) And what were better for us than that we should remove hence to the kingdom of God, delivered from the many miseries of this world, and more especially, rescued from that bondage of sin in which he elsewhere exclaims that he is wretched, (Romans 7:24,) to attain the full enjoyment of that liberty of the Spirit, by which we become connected with the Son of God? It were tedious to enumerate all the things which tend to make death better than life to believers, and more to be desired. Where, then, is there any token of the mercy of God, when it does nothing but lengthen out our miseries? I answer, that all these things do not prevent this life from being, nevertheless, considered in itself, an excellent gift of God. More especially those who live to Christ are happily exercised here in hope of heavenly glory; and accordingly, as we have had occasion to see a little ago, life is gain to them. Besides, there is another thing, too, that is to be considered — that it is no small honor that is conferred upon us, when God glorifies himself in us; for it becomes us to look not so much to life itself, as to the end for which we live.
But on me also, lest I should have sorrow. Paul acknowledges that the death of Epaphroditus would have been bitterly painful to him, and he recognises it as an instance of God’s sparing mercy toward himself, that he had been restored to health. He does not, therefore, make it his boast that he has the apathy (ἀπάθειαν) of the Stoics, as if he were a man of iron, and exempt from human affections. “What then!” some one will say, “where is that unconquerable magnanimity?—where is that indefatigable perseverance?” I answer, that Christian patience differs widely from philosophical obstinacy, and still more from the stubborn and fierce sterness of the Stoics. For what excellence were there in patiently enduring the cross, if there were in it no feeling of pain and bitterness? But when the consolation of God overcomes that feeling, so that we do not resist, but, on the contrary, give our back to the endurance of the rod, (Isaiah 50:5,) we in that case present to God a sacrifice of obedience that is acceptable to him. Thus Paul acknowledges that he felt some uneasiness and pain from his bonds, but that he nevertheless cheerfully endured these same bonds for the sake of Christ. He acknowledges that he would have felt the death of Epaphroditus an event hard to be endured, but he would at length have brought his temper of mind into accordance with the will of God, although all reluctance was not yet fully removed; for we give proof of our obedience, only when we bridle our depraved affections, and do not give way to the infirmity of the flesh.
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Two things, therefore, are to be observed: in the first place, that the dispositions which God originally implanted in our nature are not evil in themselves, because they do not arise from the fault of corrupt nature, but come forth from God as their Author; of this nature is the grief that is felt on occasion of the death of friends: in the second place, that Paul had many other reasons for regret in connection with the death of Epaphroditus, and that these were not merely excusable, but altogether necessary. This, in the first place, is invariable in the case of all believers, that, on occasion of the death of any one, they are reminded of the anger of God against sin; but Paul was the more affected with the loss sustained by the Church, which he saw would be deprived of a singularly good pastor at a time when the good were so few in number. Those who would have dispositions of this kind altogether subdued and eradicated, do not picture to themselves merely men of flint, but men that are fierce and savage. In the depravity of our nature, however, everything in us is so perverted, that in whatever direction our minds are bent, they always go beyond bounds. Hence it is that there is nothing that is so pure or right in itself, as not to bring with it some contagion. Nay more, Paul, as being a man, would, I do not deny, have experienced in his grief something of human error, for he was subject to infirmity, and required to be tried with temptations, in order that he might have occasion of victory by striving and resisting.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v30 He calleth it here the work of Christ, to…
He calleth it here the work of Christ, to visit Christ, being poor and in bands in the person of Paul.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv27–30 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death:…
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Ver. 27. For indeed he was sick] Which should not have been, if St Paul could have cured him, as he did others. This shows that the apostles cured the sick, and did miracles, not by their own power, or at their own pleasure, &c.
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But God had mercy on him.] A great mercy it is to recover health, and highly to be prized. After sickness, offer to God the ransom of thy life, as they did, Exo 32:31-33. Bless Jehovah thy physician, so he is called, Exo 15:26. Thus did David, Psa 103:3. Thus Hezekiah, Isa 36:9. Thus the very heathens, whose custom was after a fit of sickness to consecrate something to their gods.
But on me also] For it is a very sore affliction to lose a dear friend, which is as a man’s own soul, Deu 13:6, and is there set after brother, son, daughter, wife of a man’s bosom, as dearer than all of them.
Lest I should have sorrow] God’s care is that we suffer in measure, Isa 27:8; and according as we can, 1Co 10:13. {See Trapp on "1Co 10:13"}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv27–30 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death; by…
For indeed he was sick nigh unto death; by reason he was really taken with such a disease, as in its own nature was mortal, and in its tendency brought him even to death’s door, as Isa 38:1.
But God had mercy on him; but God, who is the great Physician, and unto whom it belongs to show mercy unto those who address to him, (without whom bodily physicians can do nothing), by compassionating of him in his misery, was pleased to restore him to health, as 2Ki 20:5,6. But if any say: Would it not have been great mercy to have taken him from the miseries of this life, which are here prolonged? Consider Phi 1:21. It may be answered:
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1. Death itself, as it is a privation of life, and opposite to nature, was not desirable by Paul any more than by our Saviour, but might be looked upon as a kind of misery, not to be preferred to life looked upon in itself, but with respect to another, viz. as it is a passage to eternal life; so it is desirable for that life into which it leads the godly, and so is to be preferred to the miserable condition of this life. Paul speaks here of mercy respecting the former, considering that this life itself is a favour of God, for the service of him, and our neighbour. Further:
2. God’s mercy here respects not only the grievous sickness of Epaphroditus, but the joint affliction that the loss of him would be both to the Philippians and to Paul, in thus juncture, as we may see from what follows.
And not on him only, but on me also; what power had Paul for working of miracles, was chiefly to convince infidels, and he could only exert it when God saw good for his own glory. Therefore he magnifies God’s mercy here in a more ordinary way, as a return to prayer, when he was so afflicted for his colleague’s illness; being upon an office of kindness and compassion, his loss would be in its tendency a ground of so much sorrow to the church, as well as to himself.
Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow; his Christianity had not extinguished his natural affections, but if the church had then been bereft of Epaphroditus, it would have added the affliction for his loss to his affliction by his suffering for Christ, it would have doubled his affliction, (yet somewhat in a different sense from that, Phi 1:16), it being an ill temper not to be grieved for the affliction of the church, Amo 6:6; yet all our affections are to be moderated according to the will of God.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v28 Here, first, St. Paul assigns the reason why he…
Here, first, St. Paul assigns the reason why he was so careful to send back Epaphroditus to the Philippians, namely, to assuage his own grief, and to increase their joy, that when ye see him, ye might rejoice, and I be the less sorrowful.
Next, the apostle exhorts them to receive him with all joy and gladness, and to give him, and all such as he was, due honour, and deserved respect; and doubtless, the Philippians received him with inexpressible joy, as the minister of Christ risen from the dead, recovered from the grave; received to life and service, when all hopes of enjoying him were cut off.
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O the folly and frailty of human nature! We prize our mercies more by the want, than by the worth of them.
Lastly, he assigns a special reason why he would have them receive him with such demonstrations of joy, namely, because it was in their and his service that he was brought to the very brink of the grave; For the work of Christ, he was nigh unto death: the work here meant is properly his journey to Rome, which was long and tedious; his watchings and pains-taking with and for the apostle there were very spending, he endeavoured to supply the absence and want of the whole church to St. Paul; his zeal for God, and his affection to St. Paul, carried him out beyond himself, beyond his strength, to the apparent prejudice both of his health and life.
Learn hence, 1. That to relieve the members, but especially the Ministers of Christ, in their necessities and wants, is the work of Christ. For the work of Christ he was nigh unto death. Ministers are not only engaged in the work of Christ when they preach, &c. but when they visit their flock, inquire into the wants of the poor, and administer to the necessities of the distressed; this is the work of Christ.
Learn, 2. That sickness may overtake, yea, death itself may meet, the faithful servants and ministers of Christ, when they are engaged in his own work: it was in the work of the Lord that Epaphroditus met with sickness; and had he met with death itself, he had been happy; for, Blessed are they that die in the work of the Lord; they shall rest from their labours, and their works shall follow them.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv27–29 I sent him therefore the more carefully,.... Or in…
I sent him therefore the more carefully,.... Or in greater haste, and as soon as possible:
that when ye see him again ye may rejoice; for this must greatly increase their joy, to see him again after he had been so long from them, and under such a disorder, which had made them to fear they should never see him more. The Syriac version renders it, "that when ye see him ye may rejoice again"; as they had done heretofore in his conversation and ministry, when among them:
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and that I may be the less sorrowful; when he should hear of his safe arrival among them, and of their joyful reception of him to their mutual satisfaction, which would be an alleviation of the apostle's sorrow in his present circumstances; for he did not expect to be wholly without sorrow while in this life.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv27, 28, 30 God had compassion on him - Restoring him to…
God had compassion on him - Restoring him to health.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv27–30 Verse 27. Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.]…
Verse 27. Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.] The sorrows of his death, added to the sorrow he endured on account of his sickness; or he may refer to his own state of affliction, being imprisoned and maltreated.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v28 Php 2:28-30. I sent him therefore the more carefully…
Php 2:28-30. I sent him therefore the more carefully — Or, speedily, as σπουδαιοτερως here signifies; that seeing him again — In a state of health, ye may rejoice — May be comforted after your trouble; and that I may be the less sorrowful — When I know you are rejoicing. Receive him therefore — With affection and gratitude, being assured that his long absence was owing, not to want of love to you, but to bad health; and hold persons of such a character, whatever their station of life may be, in great estimation. Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death — It appears from the last clause of this verse, that by the work of Christ here, the apostle partly meant his personal attendance on the apostle in his bonds, and the various services he performed for him, with his sundry journeys by land and sea on his account: but it is probable that he included also his labours in preaching the gospel in Rome, and in the neighbouring cities and villages, with his carrying the apostle’s messages and instructions to the disciples, his watching over them, visiting such of them as were sick, and other similar offices.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv27–30 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death -…
For indeed he was sick nigh unto death - Dr. Paley has remarked (Hor. Paul. on Phil no. ii.) that the account of the sickness and recovery of Epaphroditus is such as to lead us to suppose that he was not restored by miracle; and he infers that the power of healing the sick was conferred on the apostles only occasionally, and did not depend at all on their will, since, if it had, there is every reason to suppose that Paul would at once have restored him to health. This account, he adds, shows also that this Epistle is not the work of an impostor. Had it been, a miracle would not have been spared. Paul would not have been introduced as showing such anxiety about a friend lying at the point of death, and as being unable to restore him. It would have been said that he interposed at once, and raised him up to health.
But God had mercy on him - By restoring him to health evidently not by miracle, but by the use of ordinary means.
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On me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow - In addition to all the sorrows of imprisonment, and the prospect of a trial, and the want of friends. The sources of his sorrow, had Epaphroditus died, would have been such as these:
(1) He would have lost a valued friend, and one whom he esteemed as a brother and worthy fellow-laborer.
(2) He would have felt that the church at Philippi had lost a valuable member.
(3) His grief might have been aggravated from the consideration that his life had been lost in endeavoring to do him good. He would have felt that he was the occasion, though innocent, of his exposure to danger.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv28, 30 And I may be without sorrow; without the great…
And I may be without sorrow; without the great concern and trouble that I am now in for you. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv27, 29, 30 Epaphroditus' sickness proves that the apostles had not ordinarily…
Epaphroditus' sickness proves that the apostles had not ordinarily the permanent gift of miracles, any more than of inspiration: both were vouchsafed to them only for each particular occasion, as the Spirit thought fit.
lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow--namely, the sorrow of losing him by death, in addition to the sorrow of my imprisonment. Here only occurs anything of a sorrowful tone in this Epistle, which generally is most joyous.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv27–30 27. Sorrow upon sorrow—His imprisonment brought him grief enough;…
27. Sorrow upon sorrow—His imprisonment brought him grief enough; the death of Epaphroditus, his congenial friend and brother, would have been an additional sorrow to him, the greater because it was in rendering him assistance. In mercy to himself then, as well as to his sick friend, and, doubtless, in answer to his own intercessions, was the restoration to health.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv27–30 27. For indeed, &c.] Epaphroditus would have made light…
27. For indeed, &c.] Epaphroditus would have made light of the illness; St Paul assures them that the report was seriously true, and that the illness had a generous origin.
he was] He has been.
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God had mercy on him] Though for him also “to die” would have been “gain” (Php_1:21), yet death in itself is a dark passage, even to the Christian (see Joh_21:18; and 2Co_5:4). And meanwhile great are the joys of service on the pilgrimage, and deep their connexion with the coming joys of the heavenly country. “Those who are departed this life,” says St Chrysostom here, “can no longer win souls.” But perhaps the immediate thought is simply that death would have bereaved the Philippians of their friend, to whose loving heart it was thus “a mercy,” for their sakes, to recover.
on me also] Here, as so often in St Paul, a heart glowing with holy and generous affection expresses itself in a recognition of the importance of his friends to him. See e.g. Rom_16:4.
sorrow upon sorrow] A sore bereavement would have been added to the grief caused him by the “brethren” of Php_1:15-16, and to the pervading grief of his separation by imprisonment from so many beloved friends.—Observe the perfect naturalness of his language. He abides in “the peace of God”; he “has strength for all things” (Php_4:7; Php_4:13). But that peace is no frost, or torpor, of the heart; that strength is not hardness. He is released from embitterment and from murmurs, but every sensibility is refined by that very fact. It was so with his Lord before him; Joh_11:33; Joh_11:35; Joh_11:38.
This passage among others (e.g. 2Ti_4:20) shews that the mysterious “gift of healing,” used by St Paul at Melita (Act_28:8), was not at the absolute disposal of even the faith of its recipient.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv27, 28, 30 (27) God had mercy on him . . .…
(27) God had mercy on him . . . and on me also.—The passage, over and above its interest as an example of the strong personal affection which belonged to St. Paul’s nature, and harmonised with his wide scope of Christian love, is notable as showing clearly that the Apostle’s power of miracle, great as it was, was not his own, to use at his own will. When it was needed to be “the sign of an Apostle” (2Co_13:12) it was given; and at special times, as at Ephesus, it was given in “special” fulness (Act_19:11). As we note, both in the Old Testament and in the New, special epochs of miracles in the history of the Church; so it would seem there were special occasions on which miracle came out prominently in the Apostle’s preaching. We may, perhaps, infer from certain points in the descriptions of the healing of the cripple at the Beautiful Gate (Act_3:4), and at Lystra (Act_14:8) that some spiritual intimation warned them when the hour of miracle was come. But an Apostle could not, as our Lord would not, work miracles for his own needs. Thus in this case, deeply as he sorrowed for Epaphroditus, there is no hint of his exercising that power on his behalf. He could only pray that God would have mercy on him, and thank God when that prayer was heard.
Sorrow upon sorrow.—That is, probably, upon the sorrow of captivity the sorrow of losing one who had (see Php_2:30) risked his life in the ardour of service to the captive.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv27–30 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but…
For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. St. Paul recognizes the thankfulness of Epaphroditus for the recovery of his health: he shares that thankfulness himself. Mark his human sympathies; he had a "desire to depart," but he rejoices in the recovery of his friend. St. Paul does not seem to have healed Epaphroditus. The power of working miracles, like that of foreseeing the future, (comp. Php_1:25, and note) was not, it seems, continuous; both were exercised only in accordance with the revealed will of God and on occasions of especial moment.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv27–30 27. God had mercy on him. He was “nigh…
27. God had mercy on him. He was “nigh to death,” but God in his mercy spared him. Sorrow upon sorrow. His death would have been a great sorrow to Paul, who had already many sorrows.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v28 I can be free from anxiety
I can be free from anxiety
"I will be less anxious" or "I will not worry as much as I have been"
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Welcome Epaphroditus
"Gladly receive Epaphroditus"
in the Lord with all joy
"as a fellow believer in the Lord with all joy" or "with the great joy we have because the Lord Jesus loves us"
he came near death
Paul here speaks of death as if it were a place that one could go to. (See: Metaphor)
fill up what you could not do in service to me
Paul speaks of his needs as if they were a container that Epaphroditus filled with good things for Paul. (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
joy
lord
honor
Christ
servant
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv27, 29 2:27 Epaphroditus’s recovery from a nearly fatal illness is…
2:27 Epaphroditus’s recovery from a nearly fatal illness is attributed to God’s mercy, both on Epaphroditus and on Paul, who was already suffering in prison.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.