Philippians 2 · Verse 26

Philippians 2:26

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
Philippians 2:26, King James Version

Philippians 2:26 in other translations

BSBFor he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
WEBsince he longed for you all, and was very troubled because you had heard that he was sick.
ASVsince he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick:
YLTseeing he was longing after you all, and in heaviness, because ye heard that he ailed,
DARBYsince he had a longing desire after you all, and was distressed because ye had heard that he was sick;
BBEBecause his heart was with you all, and he was greatly troubled because you had news that he was ill:
WebsterFor he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because ye had heard that he was sick.

What does Philippians 2:26 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
26. For--reason for thinking it "necessary to send" "Epaphroditus. Translate as Greek, "Inasmuch as he was longing after you all." full of heaviness--The Greek expresses the being worn out and overpowered with heavy grief. because that ye had heard that he had been sick--rather, "that he was sick." He felt how exceedingly saddened you would be in hearing it; and he now is hastening to relieve your minds of the anxiety.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 26. For he longed after you all. He was desirous to see you all, and to relieve your anxiety in regard to his safety.

(+) "heaviness" "was uneasy"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 26 Ye had heard that he had been sick - "In this passage," says Dr. Paley, "no intimation is given that the recovery of Epaphroditus was miraculous, it is plainly spoken of as a natural event. This instance, together with that in the Second Epistle to Timothy, Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick, affords a proof that the power of performing cures, and, by parity of reason, of working other miracles, was a power which only visited the apostles occasionally, and did not at all depend upon their own will. Paul undoubtedly would have healed Epaphroditus if he could; nor would he have left Trophimus at Miletum sick, had the power of working cures awaited his disposal. Had this epistle been a forgery, forgery on this occasion would not have spared a miracle; much less would it have introduced St. Paul professing the utmost anxiety for the safety of his friend, yet acknowledging himself unable to help him, which he does almost expressly in the case of Trophimus, Him have I left sick; and virtually in the passage before us, in which he felicitates himself on the recovery of Epaphroditus in terms which almost exclude the supposition of any supernatural means being used to effect it. This is a reverse which nothing but truth would have imposed." Horae Paulinae, page 234.

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 2:26 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.

ἐπειδὴepeidēsinceG1894
ἐπιποθῶνepipothōnlonging afterG1971
ἦνēnhe wasG1510
πάνταςpantasallG3956
ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀδημονῶνadēmonōnbeing deeply distressedG85
διότιdiotibecauseG1360
ἠκούσατεēkousateyou heardG191
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἠσθένησεν.ēsthenēsenhe was ill.G770

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

Cross references for Philippians 2:26

  • Philippians 1:8

    For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

  • Isaiah 61:3

    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

  • Romans 12:15

    Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

  • Proverbs 12:25

    Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

  • Ephesians 3:13

    Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

  • 2 Samuel 13:39

    And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

  • Matthew 11:28

    Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

  • Psalms 69:20

    Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

  • Matthew 26:37

    And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

  • Philippians 4:1

    Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

  • Romans 9:2

    That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

  • John 11:35-36

    Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
he longed.
1:3,8; 4:1; 2Sa 13:39; Ro 1:11; 2Co 9:14
full.
Job 9:27; Ps 69:20; Pr 12:25; Isa 61:3; Mt 11:28; 26:37; Ro 9:2
1Pe 1:6
ye had.
2Sa 24:17; Joh 11:35,36; Ac 21:13; Ro 12:15; 1Co 12:26; Ga 6:2
Eph 3:13

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

Context

  • Philippians 2:25

    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.

  • Philippians 2:26

    For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

  • Philippians 2:27

    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.

Read all of Philippians 2

Philippians 2:26 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque tenía gran deseo de ver á todos vosotros, y gravemente se angustió porque habíais oído que había enfermado.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car il pensait à vous tous avec une vive affection, et il était fort abattu parce que vous aviez entendu dire qu’il était malade;
German
Elberfelder 1871		sintemal ihn sehnlich nach euch allen verlangte, und er sehr bekümmert war, weil ihr gehört hattet, daß er krank war.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		quoniam quidem omnes vos desiderabat: et mœstus erat, propterea quod audieratis illum infirmatum.