KJV: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
YLT: because on account of the work of the Christ he drew near to death, having hazarded the life that he might fill up your deficiency of service unto me.
Darby: because for the sake of the work he drew near even to death, venturing his life that he might fill up what lacked in your ministration toward me.
ASV: because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
ὅτι | because |
Parse: Conjunction Root: ὅτι Sense: that, because, since. |
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διὰ | for the sake of |
Parse: Preposition Root: διά Sense: through. |
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ἔργον | work |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: ἔργον Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied. |
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Χριστοῦ | of Christ |
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: Χριστός Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God. |
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μέχρι | unto |
Parse: Preposition Root: μέχρι Sense: as far as, until. |
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θανάτου | death |
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: θάνατος Sense: the death of the body. |
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ἤγγισεν | he came near |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: ἐγγίζω Sense: to bring near, to join one thing to another. |
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παραβολευσάμενος | having disregarded |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: παραβολεύομαι Sense: to consult amiss. |
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τῇ | [his] |
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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ψυχῇ | life |
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular Root: ψυχή Sense: breath. |
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ἵνα | so that |
Parse: Conjunction Root: ἵνα Sense: that, in order that, so that. |
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ἀναπληρώσῃ | he might fill up |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: ἀναπληρόω Sense: to fill up, make full, e. |
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ὑμῶν | of you |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural Root: σύ Sense: you. |
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ὑστέρημα | deficit |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: ὑστέρημα Sense: deficiency, that which is lacking. |
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πρός | toward |
Parse: Preposition Root: πρός Sense: to the advantage of. |
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με | me |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
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λειτουργίας | service |
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: λειτουργία Sense: a public office which a citizen undertakes to administer at his own expense. |
Greek Commentary for Philippians 2:30
First aorist middle participle of παραβολευω paraboleuō (from the adjective παραβολος parabolos), to place beside. The old Greek writers used παραβαλλομαι paraballomai to expose oneself to danger. But Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, p. 88) cites an example of παραβολευσαμενος paraboleusamenos from an inscription at Olbia or the Black Sea of the second century a.d. where it plainly means “exposing himself to danger” as here. Lightfoot renders it here “having gambled with his life.” The word παραβολανι parabolani (riskers) was applied to the Christians who risked their lives for the dying and the dead. [source]
The text varies: some reading work of the Lord, and others the work absolutely. If the latter, the meaning is labor for the Gospel; compare Acts 15:38. If the Lord or Christ, the reference may be to the special service of Epaphroditus in bringing the contribution of the Philippians. [source]
The correct reading is παραβολευσάμενος , meaning to venture, to expose one's self. It was also a gambler's word, to throw down a stake. Hence Paul says that Epaphroditus recklessly exposed his life. Rev., hazarding. The brotherhoods of the ancient Church, who cared for the sick at the risk of their lives, were called parabolani or reckless persons. [source]
An unfortunate rendering, since it might be taken to imply some neglect on the Philippians' part. Rev., that which was lacking in your service. The expression is complimentary and affectionate, to the effect that all that was wanting in the matter of their service was their ministration in person, which was supplied by Epaphroditus. [source]