Philippians 2:28
in Philippians 2Therefore 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.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
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.
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.
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This verse in Philippians 2
Commentary
9 notes on this verseWhy does Paul add the phrase "and I may be less anxious?" Because he has already said that Epaphroditus had ministered to his needs. He did not want it to appear as though he was sad to be sending him. Since Epaphroditus desired to be …
This site's exposition
the more eager to send him
on Philippians 2:28-30
Paul sends the recovered man home so their rejoicing can replace their anxiety, and they are to honor men like him. The ground is that he nearly died for the work of Christ, and risking translates a gambler's word for staking one's life.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
"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.
The Medieval Church1 voice
That is, he sent immediately, so that you, having seen him, might be freed from sorrow over his illness, or rather that you might rejoice. "And I was less sorrowful." How then can I be less sorrowful? In this way: if you rejoice, I too …
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
Show your joy and respect by all the expressions of hearty affection and good opinion." It seems he had caught his illness in the work of God: It was for the work of Christ that he was nigh to death, and to supply their lack of service to him.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — odd-straight-quotes
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.
He presses them largely to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, in conformity to the example of the Lord Jesus, the great pattern of humility and love. The great gospel precept passed upon us; that is, to love one another. This is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family.
2 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
The more carefully - Σπουδαιοτερως· With the more haste or despatch; because, having suffered so much on account of his apprehended death, they could not be too soon comforted by seeing him alive and restored.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
I send him therefore the more carefully - With more diligence, or speed; I was the more ready to send him. That I may be the less sorrowful - That is, on account of my solicitude for you; that I may know that your minds are at ease, and that you rejoice in his being among you.
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| σπουδαιοτέρως | spoudaioteros | All the more speedily | G4708 → | |
| οὖν | oun | therefore | G3767 → | 497 times |
| ἔπεμψα | epempsa | I have sent | G3992 → | 79 times |
| αὐτόν, | auton | him, | G846 → | 5565 times |
| ἵνα | ina | that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| ἰδόντες | idontes | having seen | G1492 → | 374 times |
| αὐτὸν | auton | him | G846 → | 5565 times |
| πάλιν | palin | again | G3825 → | 139 times |
| χαρῆτε, | charete | you may rejoice, | G5463 → | 74 times |
| κἀγὼ | kago | and I myself | G1473 →G2532 → | 839 times |
| ἀλυπότερος | alupoteros | less anxious | G253 → | |
| ὦ. | o | may be. | G1510 → | 2333 times |
σπουδαιοτέρωςAll the more speedily
spoudaioterosG4708 →
οὖνtherefore
ounG3767 →497 times
ἔπεμψαI have sent
epempsaG3992 →79 times
αὐτόν,him,
autonG846 →5565 times
ἵναthat
inaG2443 →668 times
ἰδόντεςhaving seen
idontesG1492 →374 times
αὐτὸνhim
autonG846 →5565 times
πάλινagain
palinG3825 →139 times
χαρῆτε,you may rejoice,
chareteG5463 →74 times
κἀγὼand I myself
ἀλυπότεροςless anxious
alupoterosG253 →
ὦ.may be.
oG1510 →2333 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
John 16:22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
- Acts 13:52
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
- John 16:6
Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who by grace has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope,
- Psalms 146:2
I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
- 1 Peter 1:8
Through
2 Timothy 1:4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
it leads to
- 2 Timothy 4:9
Make every effort to come to me quickly,
- Philippians 1:8
God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
- 2 Timothy 4:21
Make every effort to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
- 2 Timothy 4:9
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies15
On this chapter
About Philippians
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Gaius Marius Victorinus, EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.28; J. B. Lightfoot, Saint Paul's Epistle to the Philippians; John Chrysostom, Homily on Philippians 9; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Philippians.