Philippians 2 27

Philippians 2:27 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.

Philippians 2:27 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.

Philippians 2:27 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.

Philippians 2:27 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.

Philippians 2:27 nlt

And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him ? and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.

Philippians 2 verses

Philippians 2 27 Meaning

Philippians 2:27 describes the near-fatal illness of Epaphroditus, a dear colleague of Paul. It highlights God's merciful intervention in preserving Epaphroditus's life, thereby not only granting recovery to the afflicted man but also sparing Paul from profound additional grief. Paul’s potential sorrow stemmed from losing a valuable co-worker, piled upon his already existing hardships and anxieties as an imprisoned apostle.

Philippians 2 27 Context

Philippians 2:27 is nestled within Paul's section describing Epaphroditus and Timothy, serving as examples of Christ-like humility and selfless service, which Paul urged the Philippian church to embody (Phil 2:1-4). Paul has just described Epaphroditus as his "brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier," highlighting his deep affection and high regard for him. This verse explains the urgent reason for Epaphroditus’s return to Philippi and emphasizes the severe physical risk he undertook while serving Paul. Paul, currently imprisoned, relies on these loyal co-workers, and their suffering profoundly impacts him, underscoring the deep human connection and interdependence within the early Christian community.

Philippians 2 27 Word analysis

• Indeed (γὰρ - gar): This conjunction emphasizes the reality and truth of the preceding statement (v. 26, about Epaphroditus longing for them). It affirms the fact of his sickness.
• he was ill (ἠσθένησεν - ēsthenēsen): From ἀσθενέω (astheneō), meaning to be weak, sick, infirm. This denotes a serious physical sickness, not a spiritual weakness. Epaphroditus's illness was genuine and severe.
• near to death (παραπλήσιον θανάτῳ - paraplēsion thanatō): This vivid phrase signifies a closeness to mortality, "almost parallel to death" or "at death's door." It indicates the critical condition and the extreme danger he faced. This wasn't a minor ailment but a life-threatening one.
• But God (ἀλλὰ ὁ Θεὸς - alla ho Theos): The adversative conjunction "But" strongly contrasts human hopelessness with divine intervention. It shifts the focus entirely to God as the sovereign agent of mercy and healing, implying human efforts alone were insufficient or had failed.
• had mercy (ἠλέησεν - ēleēsen): From ἐλεέω (eleeō), meaning to show compassion, pity, or mercy. This signifies a compassionate act of God, preventing the worst outcome. God's mercy here is specifically manifested in sparing Epaphroditus's life.
• on him (αὐτόν - auton): Refers to Epaphroditus, emphasizing that the mercy was directly applied to his physical condition, leading to his recovery.
• and not only on him but on me also: Paul broadens the scope of God's mercy beyond Epaphroditus alone, acknowledging the personal impact on himself. This shows the communal nature of God's grace—an act of mercy for one benefits others within the Christian body.
• lest I should have sorrow (ἵνα μὴ λύπην σχῶ - hina mē lypēn schō): This expresses Paul's motivation for relief and indicates a genuine human vulnerability to grief. Paul desired to avoid this pain. λύπη (lypē) means sadness, grief, or distress.
• upon sorrow (ἐπὶ λύπην - epi lypēn): This phrase highlights a cumulative effect, meaning an additional sorrow. Paul was already bearing the sorrows of imprisonment, persecution, and anxiety for the churches (2 Cor 11:28). Losing Epaphroditus would have heaped more grief onto his existing burdens, perhaps even a sense of being unsupported.

Philippians 2 27 Bonus section

The mention of Epaphroditus's near-death experience, yet God's mercy saving him, implicitly teaches the reality of suffering in ministry without guaranteeing immunity from illness or death, but rather pointing to divine prerogative. Paul's transparency about his potential grief, rather than diminishing his apostolic authority, actually underscores his profound care for his fellow believers and the authentic human connections that bonded the early Christian community. This personal vulnerability makes Paul relatable and reinforces the New Testament's emphasis on communal care and shared burdens, even among leaders. The incident also serves as an example of God actively intervening in the lives of His servants, sometimes through direct healing, outside of typical circumstances, for specific redemptive purposes—here, for the benefit of both Epaphroditus and Paul's ongoing ministry.

Philippians 2 27 Commentary

Philippians 2:27 offers a poignant glimpse into the deeply personal and emotional side of Paul's ministry. It reveals Epaphroditus’s perilous illness, which brought him to the brink of death, likely due to the demanding service he rendered on behalf of the Philippian church to Paul. This critical condition required divine intervention, illustrating God's compassionate nature towards His servants and His sovereignty over life and death. Paul's heartfelt relief signifies not only his love for Epaphroditus as a valued co-worker but also his own vulnerability to deep sorrow. His concern about experiencing "sorrow upon sorrow" humanizes the great apostle, showing that he, too, was subject to profound grief and anxiety amid his relentless ministry and suffering. God's mercy, therefore, had a dual effect: restoring health to Epaphroditus and preserving Paul from additional, unbearable emotional distress, thereby enabling him to continue his arduous work with renewed spirit.