Philippians 2:25

But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need;

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need,

BSB

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.

KJV

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

ASV

But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need;

BBE

But it seemed to me necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, who has taken part with me in the work and in the fight, and your servant, sent by you for help in my need;

Original Greek

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Ἀναγκαῖον Anagkaion Necessary G316 δὲ de now G1161 ἡγησάμην hēgēsamēn I esteemed [it] G2233 Ἐπαφρόδιτον Epaphroditon Epaphroditus G1891 τὸν ton the G3588 ἀδελφὸν adelphon brother G80 καὶ kai and G2532 συνεργὸν sunergon fellow worker G4904 καὶ kai and G2532 συστρατιώτην sustratiōtēn fellow soldier G4961 μου mou of mine G3165 ὑμῶν humōn of you G4771 δὲ de now G1161 ἀπόστολον apostolon messenger G652 καὶ kai and G2532 λειτουργὸν leitourgon minister G3011 τῆς tēs of the G3588 χρείας chreias need G5532 μου mou of mine G3165 πέμψαι pempsai to send G3992 πρὸς pros to G4314 ὑμᾶς humas you G4771

The early church

"But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier." And him too he sends with the same praises as Timothy, for he commended him on these two points; first, in that he loved them, when he says, "who will care truly for you"; and secondly, in that he had approved himself in the Gospel. And for the same reason, and in the same terms, he praises this man also: and how? By calling him a brother, and a fellow-worker, and not stopping at this point, but also "fellow-soldier," he showed how he shared in his dangers, and testifies of him the same things which he testifies of himself. For "fellow-soldier" is more than "fellow-worker"; for perchance he gave aid in quiet matters, yet not so in wars and dangers; but in saying "fellow-soldier," he showed this too. "To send to you your messenger, and minister to my needs"; that is, I give you your own, since I send to you him that is your own, or, perhaps, that is your Teacher. Again he adds many things concerning his love.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Philippians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 19–30

It is best with us, when our duty becomes natural to us. Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only; with a willing heart and upright views. We are apt to prefer our own credit, ease, and safety, before truth, holiness, and duty; but Timothy did not so. Paul desired liberty, not that he might take pleasure, but that he might do good. Epaphroditus was willing to go to the Philippians, that he might be comforted with those who had sorrowed for him when he was sick. It seems, his illness was caused by the work of God. The apostle urges them to love him the more on that account. It is doubly pleasant to have our mercies restored by God, after great danger of their removal; and this should make them more valued. What is given in answer to prayer, should be received with great thankfulness and joy.

Read Matthew Henry on Philippians 2 →

Cross-references

15

People & places

Epaphroditus

Topics

ChurchMinister, ChristianFriendshipPhilippiEpaphroditus

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.