Paul decided to send Epaphroditus immediately because word had reached Epaphroditus that his fellow Philippians had learned that he had been ill. This knowledge had created a longing in his heart for his brethren and had distressed him. His feelings were intense. Paul used the word translated "longing" (NASB) or "longs" (NIV, Gr. epipotheo) earlier to describe his own feelings for the Philippians ( Philippians 1:8; cf. James 4:5; 1 Peter 2:2). "Distressed" (Gr. ademonon) also described Jesus" feelings in Gethsemane ( Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33). [source][source][source]
"It describes the confused, restless, half-distracted state, which is produced by physical derangement, or by mental distress, as grief, shame, disappointment, etc." [1][source]
Epaphroditus may have been an especially sensitive Christian. On the other hand his concern may reflect a misunderstanding that had put him in a questionable light since he had left Philippi. [2][source]
Context Summary
Philippians 2:19-30 - Honoring Christian Messengers
The Apostle nobly honored the younger men who wrought with him. He speaks of Timothy as his son, and expatiates on the genuineness of his loving interest in each of his converts. He describes Epaphroditus as his brother, fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier. How tenderly he refers to his sickness and recovery, as though God had conferred on himself special favor in giving back this beloved comrade in the great fight!
It is well worth while to ponder the remark that God does not add sorrow to sorrow, Philippians 2:27. He tempers His wind to the shorn lamb. He cautions the accuser that he must not take Job's life. With the trial He makes the way of escape. He keeps His finger on the wrist while the operation is in progress, and stays it as soon as the pulse flutters. Not sorrow upon sorrow! Note also that "hazarding" of life, Philippians 2:30, r.v. It was a common experience in those great days of Christ's suffering Church, Acts 15:26. How strange it is today to watch the sacrifices that men and women will make in times of war, when a new spirit is stirring in the world and men adventure everything for liberty, righteousness, and fatherland, and then compare this extravagant expenditure of blood and treasure with what we have done for Jesus. [source]
Chapter Summary: Philippians 2
1Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ's humility; 12to a careful proceeding in the way of salvation, that they be as lights to a wicked world, 16and comforts to him their apostle, who is now ready to be offered up to God 19He hopes to send Timothy to them, and Epaphroditus also
Greek Commentary for Philippians 2:26
He longed after [επιποτων ην] Periphrastic imperfect of επιποτεω epipotheō (Phlippians 1:8), “he was yearning after.” [source]
You all [παντας υμας] So again (Phlippians 1:5,Phlippians 1:7,Phlippians 1:8). Was sore troubled (αδημονων adēmonōn). Periphrastic imperfect again (repeat ην ēn) of the old word αδημονεω adēmoneō either from an unused αδημων adēmōn (α a privative and δημος dēmos away from home, homesick) or from αδημων αδησαι adēmōnδιοτι ηκουσατε οτι ηστενησε adēsai (discontent, bewilderment). The Vocabulary of Moulton and Milligan gives one papyrus example in line with the latter etymology. See already Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33. In any case the distress of Epaphroditus was greatly increased when he knew that the Philippians (the home-folks) had learned of his illness, “because ye had heard that he was sick” (ηστενησε dioti ēkousate hoti ēsthenēse), “because ye heard that he fell sick” (ingressive aorist). He was sick Ingressive aorist, “he did become sick.” Nigh unto death (παραπλησιος paraplēsion thanatōi). Only example in N.T. of this compound adverbial preposition (from the adjective paraplēsios) with the dative case. [source]
Was sore troubled [αδημονων] Periphrastic imperfect again (repeat ην ēn) of the old word αδημονεω adēmoneō either from an unused αδημων adēmōn The Vocabulary of Moulton and Milligan gives one papyrus example in line with the latter etymology. See already Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33. In any case the distress of Epaphroditus was greatly increased when he knew that the Philippians (the home-folks) had learned of his illness, “because ye had heard that he was sick” (ηστενησε dioti ēkousate hoti ēsthenēse), “because ye heard that he fell sick” (ingressive aorist). [source]
He was sick [παραπλησιον τανατωι] Ingressive aorist, “he did become sick.” Nigh unto death (παραπλησιος paraplēsion thanatōi). Only example in N.T. of this compound adverbial preposition (from the adjective paraplēsios) with the dative case. [source]
Nigh unto death [παραπλησιος] Only example in N.T. of this compound adverbial preposition (from the adjective paraplēsios) with the dative case. [source]
Was full of heaviness [ἦν ἀδημονῶν] Rev., was sore troubled. Used of Christ in Gethsemane, Matthew 26:27. [source]
What do the individual words in Philippians 2:26 mean?
sincelonging afterhe wasallyouto beholdandbeing deeply distressedbecauseyou heardthathe was ill
Greek Commentary for Philippians 2:26
Periphrastic imperfect of επιποτεω epipotheō (Phlippians 1:8), “he was yearning after.” [source]
So again (Phlippians 1:5, Phlippians 1:7, Phlippians 1:8). Was sore troubled (αδημονων adēmonōn). Periphrastic imperfect again (repeat ην ēn) of the old word αδημονεω adēmoneō either from an unused αδημων adēmōn (α a privative and δημος dēmos away from home, homesick) or from αδημων αδησαι adēmōnδιοτι ηκουσατε οτι ηστενησε adēsai (discontent, bewilderment). The Vocabulary of Moulton and Milligan gives one papyrus example in line with the latter etymology. See already Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33. In any case the distress of Epaphroditus was greatly increased when he knew that the Philippians (the home-folks) had learned of his illness, “because ye had heard that he was sick” (ηστενησε dioti ēkousate hoti ēsthenēse), “because ye heard that he fell sick” (ingressive aorist). He was sick Ingressive aorist, “he did become sick.” Nigh unto death (παραπλησιος paraplēsion thanatōi). Only example in N.T. of this compound adverbial preposition (from the adjective paraplēsios) with the dative case. [source]
Periphrastic imperfect again (repeat ην ēn) of the old word αδημονεω adēmoneō either from an unused αδημων adēmōn The Vocabulary of Moulton and Milligan gives one papyrus example in line with the latter etymology. See already Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33. In any case the distress of Epaphroditus was greatly increased when he knew that the Philippians (the home-folks) had learned of his illness, “because ye had heard that he was sick” (ηστενησε dioti ēkousate hoti ēsthenēse), “because ye heard that he fell sick” (ingressive aorist). [source]
Ingressive aorist, “he did become sick.” Nigh unto death (παραπλησιος paraplēsion thanatōi). Only example in N.T. of this compound adverbial preposition (from the adjective paraplēsios) with the dative case. [source]
Only example in N.T. of this compound adverbial preposition (from the adjective paraplēsios) with the dative case. [source]
Rev., was sore troubled. Used of Christ in Gethsemane, Matthew 26:27. [source]