Philippians 2:28-30

28. 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. 29. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy: and hold such in honor: 30. because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

Translation and Paraphrase

28. I am therefore sending him the more speedily (to you), so that (by) seeing him (safe and sound) you may rejoice again, and I (myself) may be less sorrowful (no longer being worried because I know you are worried.)
29. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and regard such (men) as worthy of honor,

30. Because he came near unto death, risking his life for the sake of the work of Christ, so that he might fulfill that which is lacking in your service to me.

Notes

1.

Paul's returning Epaphroditus would accomplish two objectives: (1) It would cause the Philippians to rejoice upon seeing him again safe and sound. (2) It would make Paul himself less sorrowful, to know that the anxieties of the Philippians were relieved. The pain in their hearts hurt Paul's heart.

2.

The Philippians were to receive Epaphroditus with joy, not reluctantly as if he were a quitter or a failure. He was neither. Rather he was to be held in honor.

3.

We wish we knew all the details of Epaphroditus-' activities in Rome with Paul, so we could know just how he had risked his life to serve Paul. We can ask Paul or Epaphroditus about this in the New Heaven and Earth.

4.

There was a class of Christians in the ancient church called parabolani (a word meaning those who cast themselves aside in disregard of danger and risk). These people risked their lives going among the sick, and into the houses where the plague was rampant to minister and serve others.

A related word (paraboleuomai) is used to describe Epaphroditus-' deeds in Rome. He risked and hazarded his life to serve Paul. We do not know the details as to what risks he ran.

There are times when Christians must be willing to lay down their lives that others may be saved and served. Acts 20:24; Acts 15:26.

5.

The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary gives the following outline, based on Philippians 2:25-30, of Heroic Devotion to Christ:

(1)

It is wholly absorbed in the work of Christ; Philippians 2:30.

(2)

It risks life in serving the cause of God.

(3)

It should be held in highest esteem; Philippians 2:29.

(4)

It is fully of sympathy for the anxieties of people; Philippians 2:26.

6.

Philippians 2:30 suggests that the Philippians owed Paul a debt of service. Compare Philemon 1:13; Philemon 1:19. Converts do owe a debt of service to those who win them to Christ. The Philippians had sent one of their members, Epaphroditus, to Paul to help pay their debt to Paul.