Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious.
Parallel translations
- WEB I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
- KJV I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
- NKJV Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.
- NASB Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.
- NLT So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul sends him eagerly so the Philippians can rejoice at his return and Paul can be less anxious. Reunion brings mutual relief and joy.
Overview
Restoring Epaphroditus will gladden the church and ease Paul's own concern for them. Paul's pastoral heart seeks the joy of others even at personal cost. The exchange reflects the bonds of love that unite the Christian family.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- John 16:22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
- 2 Tim 1:4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
- Phil 2:26–27For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
- Gen 45:27–28However, when they relayed all that Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob was revived.
- Acts 20:38They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
- 2 Cor 2:3I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be saddened by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy.
- Gen 46:29–30Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.
- Gen 48:11“I never expected to see your face again,” Israel said to Joseph, “but now God has let me see your children as well.”
- 1 Jn 1:3–4We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The one who, being in the form of God, emptied himself to the point of death on a cross and was exalted to the name above every name — the joy and prize of the believer.
How Philippians 2:28 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.