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.
Philippians 2:27 in other translations
| BSB | He was sick indeed, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. |
|---|---|
| WEB | For indeed he was sick nearly to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow. |
| ASV | for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. |
| YLT | for he also ailed nigh to death, but God did deal kindly with him, and not with him only, but also with me, that sorrow upon sorrow I might not have. |
| DARBY | for he was also sick close to death, but God had mercy on him, and not indeed on him alone, but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. |
| BBE | For in fact he was ill almost to death: but God had mercy on him; and not only on him but on me, so that I might not have grief on grief. |
| Webster | For indeed he was sick nigh to death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. |
What does Philippians 2:27 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
But God had mercy on him. By restoring him to health, evidently not by miracle, but by the use of ordinary means.
On me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. In addition to all the sorrows of imprisonment, and the prospect of a trial, and the want of friends. The sources of his sorrow, had Epaphroditus died, would have been such as these:
(1.) He would have lost a valued friend, and one whom he esteemed as a brother and worthy fellow-labourer.
(2.) He would have felt that the church at Philippi had lost a valuable member.
(3.) His grief might have been aggravated from the consideration that his life had been lost in endeavouring to do him good. He would have felt that he was the occasion, though innocent, of his exposure to danger.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
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…
Philippians 2:27 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.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Philippians 2:27
- Psalms 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
- Philippians 2:30
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
- Acts 9:37
And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
- 2 Corinthians 2:7
So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
- Psalms 103:3-4
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
- Job 5:19
He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
- John 11:3-4
Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
- Isaiah 43:2
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
- Psalms 107:18-22
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! …
- Jeremiah 10:24
O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
- 2 Kings 20:1
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 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.
- Philippians 2:28
I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Philippians 2:27 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Pues en verdad estuvo enfermo á la muerte: mas Dios tuvo misericordia de él; y no solamente de él, sino aun de mí, para que yo no tuviese tristeza sobre tristeza. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | en effet il a été malade, fort près de la mort, mais Dieu a eu pitié de lui, et non seulement de lui, mais aussi de moi, afin que je n’aie pas tristesse sur tristesse. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Denn er war auch krank, dem Tode nahe; aber Gott hat sich über ihn erbarmt, nicht aber über ihn allein, sondern auch über mich, auf daß ich nicht Traurigkeit auf Traurigkeit hätte. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Nam et infirmatus est usque ad mortem: sed Deus misertus est ejus: non solum autem ejus, verum etiam et mei, ne tristitiam super tristitiam haberem. |