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.
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.
- BSB 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.
- NKJV Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.
- 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 16:22Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
- 2 Tim 1:4longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;
- Phil 2:26–27since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick.
- Gen 45:27–28They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob, their father, revived.
- Acts 20:38sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
- 2 Cor 2:3And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you.
- Gen 46:29–30Joseph prepared his chariot, and went up to meet Israel, his father, in Goshen. He presented himself to him, and fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
- Gen 48:11Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.”
- 1 Jn 1:3–4that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship 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
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