Philippians 2:30

τὸ ἔργον κ. τ. λ. The true reading is very difficult to determine with such a conflict of authorities. We are inclined to believe that τὸ ἔργ. stood alone as in C. This is certainly the hardest reading of all to account for. At a very early date additions like Χριστοῦ, Κυρίου, etc., would be sure to be made. μέχρι. A somewhat rare use of μ. Cf. Revelation 12:11, οὐκ ἠγάπησαν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτῶν ἄχρι θανάτου, and chap. Philippians 2:8. παραβολευσ. Here, with the great majority of the best authorities, we must read παραβολευσάμενος. It is a ἁπ. λεγ., probably formed from παράβολος, rash, reckless. Cf. the legal term παράβολον (later, παραβόλιον), the stake which has to be deposited by an appellant, and is forfeited if the action be lost. “Having hazarded his life.” Cf. the exact parallel in Diod., 3, 36, 4, παραβαλέσθαι ταῖς ψυχαῖς. What risk did he run? Hfm [14]. suggests that his illness was produced by his arrival in Rome during the hot season of the year. Chr [15]. thinks of danger at the hands of Nero. Wohl [16]. supposes that his illness was the result of his severe missionary labours in Rome. May it be that the Apostle was now confined in a far more unwholesome bondage than before (one of the noisome State-prisons? See Introduction), and that the assiduous services of Epaphrod. to him there, brought on this severe illness? We believe that this interpretation is justified by the next words τὸ ὑμ. ὑστέρ.… λειτ. In what was their service towards the Apostle lacking? Evidently in nothing save their own personal presence and personal care of him. This would be the more urgently needed if Paul's outward surroundings had become less favourable. For the phrase ἀναπλ. τὸ ὑστ., Cf. 1 Corinthians 16:17, τὸ ὑμῶν ὑστέρημα οὗτοι ἀνεπλήρωσαν; 2 Corinthians 11:9.

[14] Hofmann.

[15] Chrysostom.

[16] Wohlenberg.