Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward 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.
- BSB because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to 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 of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
- Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- Phil 4:10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
- Phil 4:18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
- Matt 25:36–40Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
- Phil 2:27For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
- Rom 16:4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
- 2 Cor 12:15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
- Phlm 1:13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
- Rev 12:11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
- 1 Cor 15:53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
- Phil 2:17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
- 1 Cor 16:10Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
- Phil 1:19–20For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of 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 2:30 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.