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Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

Philippians 2:25

Philippians 2:25. But I counted it necessary. In our idiom we should say ‘I count,' but the Greeks put their verbs in epistolary writing into the tense which would be true not only at the date of the writing, but also at the date of receiving the letter. We have no such indefinite tense, though some-times we use our present in a similarly indefinite way. It was necessary that Epaphroditus should be sent, for he would hardly recover thoroughly, while longing to go home; nor could the Philippians be happy till they saw again their messenger, whose work in their stead had cost him a severe sickness, and nearly his life. He must go back at once.

to send to you Epaphroditus my brother. The name only occurs in the N. T. here and at Philippians 4:18. There is another form of it (Epaphras) found in Epistles of this same time, Colossians and Philemon; but as the apostle has written the name in this Epistle in the longer form, and in the other places in the shorter, we may almost surely conclude that different persons are intended. He is called ‘brother' by St. Paul, as a member of the same Christian fellowship. The subsequent epithets rise to a higher level.

and fellow-worker. A title applied to those who, like the apostle, laboured for the spread of the Gospel by their missionary preaching. So it is used of Aquila and Priscilla (Romans 16:3), of Timothy (Romans 16:21), of Titus (2 Corinthians 8:23).

and fellow-soldier. Implies that a more devoted service still had been called for from those to whom the title is given. It is only found elsewhere applied to Archippus (Philemon 1:2), on whom an important charge was laid which required good heed that he might fulfil it. It was not only work to do, but enemies to resist.

but your messenger. The Greek is the word ‘apostle,' but it cannot have that restricted sense here, though some good authorities so render it. It is not given as a title except to the twelve, and those who like Paul and Barnabas were placed on the same level with the first apostles in the earliest days of the Church.

and minister to my need. The noun here signifies primarily ‘one who discharges some public function,' and it is applied to magistrates, kings' servants, and others; but it soon came to have a special signification, and to be used for one who performed religious services. This use of it has no doubt had some influence on the minds of those who would translate ‘apostle' in the previous clause. The word appears in our English ‘liturgy,' but almost certainly here signifies no more than that Epaphroditus was the representative of the Philippian Church in the mission to Rome. St. Paul may have selected the word, which had these various shades of meaning, to indicate that he felt the service done unto himself was in a sense a religious work, and done unto Christ's cause as well as to the individual prisoner.

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See also Philippians 2:25 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 25. _EPAPHRODITUS, MY BROTHER_, c.] Here is a very high character of this minister of Christ he was, 1. A _brother_-one of the _Christian family_; a thorough convert to God, without which he co...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    YET I SUPPOSED IT NECESSARY TO SEND TO YOU EPAPHRODITUS - Epaphroditus is nowhere else mentioned but in this Epistle; see Philippians 4:18. All that is known of him, therefore, is what is mentioned he...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    II. CHRIST, THE BELIEVER'S PATTERN CHAPTER 2 _ 1. Oneness of mind through self effacement (Philippians 2:1)_ 2. The humiliation and exaltation of Christ (Philippians 2:5) 3. Work out your own salva...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    PHP_2:19-30. TIMOTHY AND EPAPHRODITUS. Paul proposes to send Timothy in advance of his own expected visit, that he may obtain encouraging news about them. There is no one else to send, the others bein...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE CAUSES OF DISUNITY (Php_2:1-4)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, your messenger and the servant of my need, because he is longing for you all, and he is very distre...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    SUPPOSED. Same word in Philippians 2:3 (esteem) and Philippians 2:6 (thought). TO. App-104. EPAPHRODITUS, See Philippians 4:18. COMPANION IN LABOUR. Greek. _sunergos,_ fello

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _Yet I supposed_ Better, BUT I HAVE COUNTED, or, I COUNT. "_Yet_" is too strong a word of contrast or exception. _"I have counted":_the Greek verb is an aorist, but an "epistolary" aorist, in which t...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    HE PROPOSES SOON TO SEND TIMOTHEUS: HE SENDS WITHOUT DELAY EPAPHRODITUS...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἈΝΑΓΚΑΙ͂ΟΝ ΔῈ. As against the less obligatory call for Timothy’s journey. There was _a duty_, to Epaphroditus and to Philippi, and it must not be postponed. ἩΓΗΣΆΜΗΝ. Render, in English idiom, “I hav...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΆΝΑΓΚΑΪΟΣ (G316) вынужденный, необходимый, ΉΓΗΣΆΜΗΝ _aor. ind. med. (dep.) от_ ΉΓΈΟΜΑΙ (G2233) вести, считать, ΣΥΝΕΡΓΌΣ (G4904) сотрудник, ΣΥΣΤΡΑΤΙΏΤΗΣ (G4961) соратник, ΆΠΌΣΤΟΛΟΣ (G652) миссионер...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    BUT YOUR MESSENGER, &C.— _But your Apostle, and who is now to act for me with you;_ or, _the ready minister to the relief of my necessities,_ by whose faithful hand I received that liberal supply, whi...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    25. 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; 26. SINCE HE LONGED AFTER YOU ALL, AND WAS SORE...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. I SUPPOSED - `I thought it...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    _ THE LIVING EXAMPLES_ 19 The word soul has lost its significance in English, especially in its compounds, hence we render idiomatically "good cheer," for "well souled" and "equally sensitive" for "e...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    2:25 minister (g-22) _ Leitourgos_ . as Romans 15:16 . A kind of official person in service....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    LETTER OF JOY Paul’s Letter to the Philippians _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 2 PAUL’S APPEAL FOR UNITY AND *HUMILITY 2:1-4 V1 You are united with Christ and that encourages you. You know the comfort of...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    [5. Exhortation and Commendation (Philippians 2:12). (1) EXHORTATION TO WORK OUT THEIR SALVATION through the in working of God, and so to be lights in the world, and the glory of the Apostle, even i...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    EPAPHRODITUS. — The name was often shortened into Epaphras. But it was a common name; hence any identification with the Epaphras of Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:12; Philemon 1:23, is, to say the least...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 9 TIMOTHY AND EPAPHRODITUS. Philippians 2:19 (R.V.) THE outpouring of his thoughts, his feelings, and his desires towards the Philippians has so far spent itself. Now he turns to mention the...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    NEWS OF EPAPHRODITUS: A CORDIAL WELCOME FOR HIM AT PHILIPPI BESPOKEN....

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    This verse opens a passage which Clemen (_op. cit._, pp. 138 141) assigns to the second of the two letters into which he proposes to divide the Epistle. See our _Introduction_. The Apostle, as a matte...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    HONORING CHRISTIAN MESSENGERS Philippians 2:19 The Apostle nobly honored the younger men who wrought with him. He speaks of Timothy as his son, and expatiates on the genuineness of his loving interes...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The apostle now urged those to whom he wrote to fill his joy to the full. In order to do this he indicated two causative facts which suggested two resulting experiences, and then referred to conduct i...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    EPAPHRODITUS It is possible Epaphroditus was the one who carried this letter to the Philippians. "Your messenger" could be translated "your epistle" if he was the one sent. He was a brother in Christ,...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Epaphroditus....your apostle, and the minister of my wants. Epaphroditus had also laboured after St. Paul, and is thought to have been the bishop of the Philippians; thus he might be called their apo...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (14) В¶ Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (15) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    There is no epistle in the New Testament which gives so little space to the development of. doctrine as this to the Philippians. Need it be said that it has not the less its own proper office on that...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    25_I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus_. After having encouraged them by the promise of his own coming and that of Timothy, he fortifies them also for the present, by sending previously...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    But this, too, produced its effects. The apostle desired that their joy should be full, and that unity among the Philippians should be perfect; for his absence had allowed some seeds of disunion and d...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    YET I SUPPOSED IT NECESSARY TO SEND TO YOU EPAPHRODITUS,.... In the mean while, before either he or Timothy could come to them. This man was sent by the Philippians to the apostle with a present, and...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. Ver. 25. _Necessary to send to...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Yet I supposed it necessary to send Epaphroditus_ Back immediately, who is near and dear to me as _a brother and companion in labour_ A fellow-labourer in the work of the Lord; _and fellow-soldier_ “...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    EPAPHRODITUS; he was from Philippi, and had come to Rome to bring assistance to Paul. Chapter Philippians 4:18....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    YET I SUPPOSED IT NECESSARY TO SEND TO YOU EPAPHRODITUS, MY BROTHER AND COMPANION IN LABOR AND FELLOW-SOLDIER, BUT YOUR MESSENGER, AND HE THAT MINISTERED TO MY WANTS....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The return of Epaphroditus to Philippi:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    In the first chapter we have seen that Christ is the very principle of life that motivates the apostle in whatever circumstances, - and so indeed it should be for all believers. Chapter 2 now brings C...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    A Priceless Pair 1 Peter 2:19-30 1. KEY WORDS 19 Trust, comfort, state 20 Likeminded, naturally, care 21 Seek, own, things of Christ 22 Proof, served, gospel 23 Hope, soon 24 Trust, shortly 2...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    “But. counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need” “I counted it necessary”: “Yet. deem it important”...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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, ea...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    YET I SUPPOSED IT NECESSARY TO SEND TO YOU EPAPHRODITUS; in the mean time he gives them an account why he esteemed it needful to send back Epaphroditus (whom some, but without sufficient warrant, woul...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians that I should pretend to be equal in honour to them? But as your "fellow-soldier,"[36]...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Php_2:25 Yet G1161 considered G2233 (G5662) necessary G316 send G3992 (G5658) to G4314 you G5209 Epaphroditus G1891 my G3450 bro

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    PAUL NOW GIVES TWO EXAMPLES OF MEN WHO, LIKE HIMSELF, HAVE THE MIND THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS (PHILIPPIANS 2:19 TO PHILIPPIANS 3:1). Having expressed his own willingness to be ‘poured out as a libation'...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘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,' Paul stresses that his sending of Epaphroditus wa...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    MEANWHILE HE IS SENDING HIS LETTER WITH EPAPHRODITUS THEIR FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN WHO HAS BEEN CLOSE TO DEATH ‘FOR THE WORK OF CHRIST' (PHILIPPIANS 2:25). Epaphroditus is pictured as having the mind of Chr...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    I COUNTED IT (ηγησαμην). Epistolary aorist from the point of view of the readers.EPAPHRODITUS (Επαφροδιτον). Common name, though only in Philippians in N.T., contracted into Epaphras, though not t...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Christ, the believer's pattern, rejoicing in lowly service. The outworking of inworked salvation. The apostolic example. CHARACTERS: Christ, Holy Spirit, God, Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus. C...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Philippians 2:1. _If there be therefore any consolation in Christ._ Brethren who are joined in the Lord, professing the same faith, and despised of the world, are expected to comfort and encourage one...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    EPAPHRODITUS. This is the messenger which the Philippian church sent to Paul. Now Paul is going to send him back to them immediately, with this Letter....

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly _ CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP I. Is founded in the faith of Christ. II. Concerns itself for the state of others. III. Is unselfish. IV. Is proved by...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    I SUPPOSED IT NECESSARY TO SEND TO YOU EPAPHRODITUS_--_ EPAPHRODITUS I. His titles. 1. The first of these shows his religion, and his holy union with the apostle and other believers. For the Christi...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 2:1 Encouragement to Humble Service. Paul calls the Philippians to unite in love and humility (vv. Philippians 2:1), following

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 2:25 Epaphroditus, who is from Philippi, is another example of genuine Christian love. ⇐...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 2:25. EPAPHRODITUS.—Brother, work-mate, comrade-in-arms, Church-messenger, and serving-man. What a designation! St. Paul thinks him worthy of all the honou...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION PHILIPPIANS 2:1 IF THERE BE THEREFORE, ANY CONSOLATION IN CHRIST. Mark the fervor of the apostle. Ὅρα πῶς λιπαρῶς πῶς σφοδρῶς πῶς μετὰ συμπαωείας πολλῆς (Chrysostom). He appeals...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if [there is] any comfort of love, if [there is] any fellowship of the Spirit, if [there is] any bowels [compassion] and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, tha...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 3:9; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 2 Corinthians 2:13;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Epaphroditus. Mentioned only in this epistle. See on Epaphras, Philippians 1:23. The name is derived from Aphrodite (Venus), and means charming. Messenger [α π ο σ τ ο λ ο ν]. The same word as apostl...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    HOW CHRISTIANS SHOULD LIVE Philippians 2:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We were told that when Minister Wu, of China, was addressing an American audience in Washington, D. C., upon comparative religions, he s...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    To send Epaphroditus — Back immediately. Your messenger — The Philippians had sent him to St. Paul with their liberal contribution....

  • When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties, Norman L. Geisler and Thomas Howe, 1960

    If Paul had the gift of healing, why couldn’t he heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? PROBLEM: In the Book of Acts, Paul healed the sick and even raised the dead (Acts 20:9-10). On one occasion he even h...

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Old Testament