Philippians 2:27
25 But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.
26 For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
He was sick indeed, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious.
29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- He was sick indeed, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- 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.
- ASV
- for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
- DARBY
- for he was also sick close to death, but God had mercy on him, and not indeed on him alone, but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
- BLB
- And indeed he was sick, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
- ÅB
- For han ble virkelig syk, døden nær; men Gud miskunnet seg over ham, dog ikke bare over ham, men også over meg for at jeg ikke skulle ha sorg på sorg.
- OTB
- For han var virkelig syk, og nær ved å dø. Men Gud hadde barmhjertighet med ham, og ikke bare med ham, men også med meg, for å spare meg for sorg på sorg.
- B1930
- For han blev virkelig syk, døden nær; men Gud miskunnet sig over ham, dog ikke bare over ham, men også over mig forat jeg ikke skulde ha sorg på sorg.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Psalms 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
Read in contextPhilippians 2:30
because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.
Read in contextActs 9:37
At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room.
Read in context2 Corinthians 2:7
So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
Read in context1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
Read in contextPsalms 103:3–4
He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases,
Read in contextJob 5:19
He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven.
Read in contextJohn 11:3–4
So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one You love is sick.”
Read in context