Philippians 2:25

Philippians 2:25 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,
• New Living Translation (NLT)Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need.

Context of Philippians 2:25

23Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Philippians 2:25 word by word

Ἀναγκαῖον δὲ ἡγησάμην Ἐπαφρόδιτον τὸν ἀδελφὸν καὶ συνεργὸν καὶ συστρατιώτην μου, ὑμῶν δὲ ἀπόστολον καὶ λειτουργὸν τῆς χρείας μου, πέμψαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Yetδέde · thenG1161
• I supposed itἡγέομαιhēgeomai · to governG2233
• necessaryἀναγκαῖοςanagkaios · necessaryG316
• to sendπέμπωpempō · to sendG3992
• toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• youσύsu · youG4771
• EpaphroditusἘπαφρόδιτοςEpaphroditos · EpaphroditusG1891
• myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• brotherὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• brotherἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• companion in labourσυνεργόςsunergos · co-workerG4904
• fellowsoldierσυστρατιώτηςsustratiōtēs · fellow soldierG4961
• messengerἀπόστολοςapostolos · apostleG652
• he that ministeredλειτουργόςleitourgos · ministerG3011
• toχρείαchreia · needG5532

Cross-references for Philippians 2:25

• Philippians 4:18Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
• 2 Corinthians 2:13I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.
• 2 Corinthians 8:22And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you.
• Philemon 1:1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,
• Philippians 4:3And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
• 1 Corinthians 3:9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
• 2 Corinthians 8:23If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
• Colossians 1:7as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,
• Colossians 4:11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:2and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
• 2 Timothy 2:3You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
• Philemon 1:2to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
• Proverbs 25:13Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
• John 17:18As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
• Hebrews 3:1Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
• 2 Corinthians 11:7Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?

Commentaries on Philippians 2:25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 25Epaphroditus, my brother, etc - Here is a very high character of this minister of Christ; he was, A brother - one of the Christian family; a thorough convert to God, without which he could not have been a preacher of the Gospel. He was a companion in labor; he labored, and labored in union with the apostle in this great work. He was a fellow soldier; the work was a work of difficulty and danger, they were obliged to maintain a continual warfare, fighting…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 25Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus - Epaphroditus is nowhere else mentioned but in this Epistle; see Phlippians 4:18. All that is known of him, therefore, is what is mentioned here. He was from Philippi, and was a member of the church there. He had been employed by the Philippians to carry relief to Paul when he was in Rome Phlippians 4:18, and while in Rome he was taken dangerously sick. News of this had been conveyed to Philippi…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-30Verses 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, ease, and safety, before truth, holiness, and duty; but Timothy did not so. Paul desired liberty, not that he might take pleasure, but that he might do good. Epaphroditus was willing to go to the Philippians, that he might be comforted with those who had…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 25-30Paul praises Epaphroditus, a messenger from the church at Philippi (see also 4:18). Paul is now sending Epaphroditus back to Philippi, perhaps with this letter. Paul describes Epaphroditus as his fellow soldier. This suggests the challenges, opposition, and dangers faced in Christ's work.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2525. I supposed--"I thought it necessary." to send--It was properly a sending Epaphroditus back (Php 4:18). But as he had come intending to stay some time with Paul, the latter uses the word "send" (compare Php 2:30). fellow soldier--in the "good fight" of faith (Php 1:27, 30; 2Ti 2:3; 4:7). your messenger--literally, "apostle." The "apostles" or "messengers of the churches" (Ro 16:7; 2Co 8:23), were distinct from the "apostles" specially commissioned by…Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 2:25

• Church
• Epaphroditus
• Friendship
• Minister, Christian
• Philippi

In the dictionaries

• Apostle
• Companion
• Disputing
• Epaphroditus
• Lowliness
• Nigh
• Presently
• Vainglory
• Andronicus
• Bible, the

Commentaries on Philippians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings