Philippians 2:28

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.

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Other translations

WEBBE

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.

BSB

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.

KJV

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

ASV

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

BBE

I have sent him, then, the more gladly, so that when you see him again, you may be happy and I may have the less sorrow.

Original Greek

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σπουδαιοτέρως spoudaioterōs All the more speedily G4708 οὖν oun therefore G3767 ἔπεμψα epempsa I have sent G3992 αὐτόν auton him G846 ἵνα ina that G2443 ἰδόντες idontes having seen G1492 αὐτὸν auton him G846 πάλιν palin again G3825 χαρῆτε charēte you may rejoice G5463 κἀγὼ kagō and I myself G1473 ἀλυπότερος alupoteros less anxious G253 ὦ ō may be G1510

The early church

"I have sent him therefore the more diligently." What means "more diligently"? It is, without procrastination, without delay, with much speed, having bidden him lay all aside, and to go to you, that he might be freed from heaviness; for we rejoice not on hearing of the health of those we love, so much as when we see them, and chiefly so when this happens contrary to hope, as it was in the case of Epaphroditus. "I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful." How "less sorrowful"? Because if ye rejoice, I too rejoice, and he too joys at a pleasure of such sort, and I shall be "less sorrowful." He said not sorrowless, but "less sorrowful," to show that his soul never was free from sorrow: for he who said, "Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is made to stumble, and I burn not?", when could such an one be free from sorrow? That is, this despondency I now cast off.
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.

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Cross-references

9

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