Philippians 2 · Verse 20

Philippians 2:20

For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
Philippians 2:20, King James Version

Philippians 2:20 in other translations

BSBI have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs.
WEBFor I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.
ASVFor I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state.
YLTfor I have no one like-minded, who sincerely for the things concerning you will care,
DARBYFor I have no one like-minded who will care with genuine feeling how ye get on.
BBEFor I have no man of like mind who will truly have care for you.
WebsterFor I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state.

What does Philippians 2:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
20. His reason for sending Timothy above all others: I have none so "like-minded," literally, "like-souled," with myself as is Timothy. Compare De 13:6, "Thy friend which is as thine own soul" (Psa 55:14). Paul's second self. naturally--Greek, "genuinely"; "with sincere solicitude." A case wherein the Spirit of God so changed man's nature, that to be natural was with him to be spiritual: the great point to be aimed at. 21. Translate as Greek, "They all" (namely, who are now with me, Php 1:14, 17; Php 4:21: such Demas, then with him, proved to be, Col 4:14; compare 2Ti 4:10; Phm 24). seek their own--opposed to Paul's precept (Php 2:4; 1Co 10:24, 33; 13:5). This is spoken, by comparison with Timothy; for Php 1:16, 17 implies that some of those with Paul at Rome were genuine Christians, though not so self-sacrificing as Timothy. Few come to the help of the Lord's cause, where ease, fame, and gain have to be sacrificed. Most help only when Christ's gain is compatible with their own (Jud 5:17, 23).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 20. For I have no man like-minded, Marg., so dear unto me. The Greek is, ισοψυχον similar in mind, or like-minded. The meaning is, that there was no one with him who would feel so deep an interest in their welfare.

Who will naturally care. The word rendered naturally γνησιως --means sincerely; and the idea is, that he would regard their interests with a sincere tenderness and concern. He might be depended on to enter heartily into their concerns. This arose, doubtless, from the fact that he had been with them when the church was founded there, and that he felt a deeper interest in what related to the apostle Paul than any other man. Paul regarded Timothy as a son, and his sending him on such an occasion would evince the feelings of a father who should send a beloved son on an important message.

(2) "like minded" "so dear unto me" (*) "state" "affairs"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 For I have no man like-minded - None of all my fellow helpers in the Gospel have the same zeal and affectionate concern for your prosperity in every respect as he has. He is ισοψυχος· of the same soul; a man after my own heart.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 2:19-30

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…

Read the full comment on Philippians 2:19-30 →

Philippians 2:20 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὐδέναoudenaNo [one]G3762
γὰρgarforG1063
ἔχωechōI haveG2192
ἰσόψυχον,isopsuchonlike-minded,G2473
ὅστιςhostiswhoG3748
γνησίωςgnēsiōsgenuinelyG1104
τὰtathe [things]G3588
περὶperirelative toG4012
ὑμῶνhumōnyouG4771
μεριμνήσει·merimnēseiwill care for;G3309

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philippians 2:20

  • Philippians 2:2

    Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

  • Philippians 2:22

    But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:10

    Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

  • 1 Samuel 18:3

    Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

  • John 12:6

    This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

  • John 10:13

    The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

  • 1 Samuel 18:1

    And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

  • 2 Timothy 1:5

    When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

  • Colossians 4:11

    And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

  • 1 Timothy 1:2

    Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:10-11

    Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

  • Proverbs 31:29

    Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I have.
2,22; Ps 55:13; Pr 31:29; Joh 10:13; 12:6; 1Co 1:10,11; Col 4:11
1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 1:5
like-minded. or, so dear unto me.
1Sa 18:1,3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philippians 2:19

    But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

  • Philippians 2:20

    For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

  • Philippians 2:21

    For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

Read all of Philippians 2

Philippians 2:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque á ninguno tengo tan unánime, y que con sincera afición esté solícito por vosotros.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car je n’ai personne qui soit animé d’un même sentiment avec moi pour avoir une sincère sollicitude à l’égard de ce qui vous concerne;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn ich habe niemand gleichgesinnt, der von Herzen für das Eure besorgt sein wird;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Neminem enim habeo tam unanimem, qui sincera affectione pro vobis sollicitus sit.