Philippians 2:27

25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

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.

28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

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 delivereth him out of them all.

    Read in context
  • Philippians 2:30

    Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

    Read in context
  • Acts 9:37

    And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 2:7

    So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 10:13

    There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 103:3–4

    Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

    Read in context
  • Job 5:19

    He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

    Read in context
  • John 11:3–4

    Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

    Read in context