Philippians 2:27

Philippians 2:27 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
• New International Version (NIV)Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For 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.

Context of Philippians 2:27

25But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus—my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and aide to my need. 26For he was longing for you all and troubled because you heard that he was sick. He certainly was sick, close to death. But God had mercy on him—and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I have sent him with special urgency, so that when you see him again you might rejoice and I might be less worried about you. 29So welcome him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard,

Philippians 2:27 word by word

καὶ γὰρ ἠσθένησεν παραπλήσιον θανάτῳ· ἀλλ᾽ ὁ θεὸς ἠλέησεν αὐτόν, οὐκ αὐτὸν δὲ μόνον ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐμέ, ἵνα μὴ λύπην ἐπὶ λύπην σχῶ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• indeedκαίkai · andG2532
• he was sickἀσθενέωastheneō · be weak: illG770
• nigh untoπαραπλήσιονparaplēsion · almostG3897
• deathθάνατοςthanatos · deathG2288
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• Godὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• had mercy onἐλεέωeleeō · to have mercyG1653
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• andδέde · thenG1161
• notοὐou · noG3756
• onlyμόνονmonon · onlyG3440
• on meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• ·ἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• lestμήmē · notG3361
• I should haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• sorrowλύπηlupē · griefG3077
• uponἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909

Cross-references for Philippians 2:27

• Philippians 2:30because he came close to death for the work of Messiah, risking his life to make up for what was lacking in your service to me.
• 2 Kings 20:1In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. So Isaiah the prophet son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says Adonai: Put your house in order. For you are dying, and will not live.”
• Psalms 107:18Their soul abhorred all food, and they drew near the gates of death.
• Ecclesiastes 9:1For all this I laid on my heart and to ascertain all this: that the righteous and the wise, as well as their works are in the hand of God. Whether love or hatred, no one knows—everything awaits them.
• John 11:3So the sisters sent a word to Yeshua, saying, “Master, the one you love is sick!”
• Acts 9:37In those days, she became ill and died. When they had washed her for burial, they placed her in an upstairs room.
• Job 5:19From six calamities He will deliver you, even in seven, no harm will touch you.
• Psalms 30:1A psalm, a song for the dedication of the Temple, of David.
• Psalms 34:19Adonai is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those crushed in spirit.
• Psalms 103:3He forgives all your iniquity. He heals all your diseases.
• Psalms 107:19So they cried out to Adonai in their distress, and He delivered them out of their troubles.
• Isaiah 38:17Behold, it was for my own shalom that I had great bitterness. You have loved my soul out of the Pit of destruction! For You have flung all my sins behind Your back.
• Isaiah 43:2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, or through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flame burn you.
• Acts 9:39So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. All the widows were crying, showing all the tunics and other clothing Dorcas had made while she was with them.
• Isaiah 27:8You contended with her by banishing her, by driving her away. With His fierce wind He expelled them on the day of the east wind.
• Jeremiah 8:18My joy is overcome by grief, my heart is faint within me.

Commentaries on Philippians 2:27

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 27Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow - The sorrows of his death, added to the sorrow he endured on account of his sickness; or he may refer to his own state of affliction, being imprisoned and maltreated.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 27For indeed he was sick nigh unto death - Dr. Paley has remarked (Hor. Paul. on Phil no. ii.) that the account of the sickness and recovery of Epaphroditus is such as to lead us to suppose that he was not restored by miracle; and he infers that the power of healing the sick was conferred on the apostles only occasionally, and did not depend at all on their will, since, if it had, there is every reason to suppose that Paul would at once have restored him to…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. 27Paul believed God showed mercy by helping Epaphroditus recover from a serious illness. This mercy also helped Paul, who was already suffering in prison.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2727. Epaphroditus' sickness proves that the apostles had not ordinarily the permanent gift of miracles, any more than of inspiration: both were vouchsafed to them only for each particular occasion, as the Spirit thought fit. lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow--namely, the sorrow of losing him by death, in addition to the sorrow of my imprisonment. Here only occurs anything of a sorrowful tone in this Epistle, which generally is most joyous.Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 2:27

• Epaphroditus
• Minister, Christian
• Suffering

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Apostle
• Companion
• Disputing
• Epaphroditus
• Lowliness
• Nigh
• Presently
• Vainglory

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