Philippians 2:28-30

I sent him therefore the more carefully Or, speedily, as σπουδαιοτερως here signifies; that seeing him again In a state of health, ye may rejoice May be comforted after your trouble; and that I may be the less sorrowful When I know you are rejoicing. Receive him therefore With affection and gratitude, being assured that his long absence was owing, not to want of love to you, but to bad health; and hold persons of such a character, whatever their station of life may be, in great estimation. Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death It appears from the last clause of this verse, that by the work of Christ here, the apostle partly meant his personal attendance on the apostle in his bonds, and the various services he performed for him, with his sundry journeys by land and sea on his account: but it is probable that he included also his labours in preaching the gospel in Rome, and in the neighbouring cities and villages, with his carrying the apostle's messages and instructions to the disciples, his watching over them, visiting such of them as were sick, and other similar offices.