because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.
Parallel translations
- WEB because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
- KJV Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
- NKJV because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
- NASB because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to compensate for your absence in your service to me.
- NLT For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.
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
Epaphroditus risked his life for Christ's work, nearly dying to supply what the Philippians could not. His sacrificial service earns honor.
Overview
He endangered his life to complete the ministry of support the church sent through him. His devotion to "the work of Christ" cost him dearly. Such willingness to spend oneself for the gospel is exactly the Christlike mind Paul has urged throughout the chapter.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 1 Cor 16:17I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.
- Acts 20:24But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
- Phil 4:10Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
- Phil 4:18I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
- Matt 25:36–40I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
- Phil 2:27He 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.
- Rom 16:4who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
- 2 Cor 12:15And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
- Phlm 1:13I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
- Rev 12:11They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
- 1 Cor 15:53For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
- Phil 2:17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
- 1 Cor 16:10If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
- Phil 1:19–20because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 2:30 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.