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Text -- Philippians 2:27 (NET)

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Context
2:27 In fact he became so ill that he nearly died. But God showed mercy to him– and not to him only, but also to me– so that I would not have grief on top of grief.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Suffering | PHILIPPIANS, THE EPISTLE TO THE | PHILIPPI | Minister | God | Epaphroditus | BIBLE, THE, IV CANONICITY | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Vincent: Phi 2:27 - -- Sorrow upon sorrow ( λύπην ἐπὶ λύπην ) The accusative implies motion. Sorrow coming upon sorrow, as wave after wave.

Sorrow upon sorrow ( λύπην ἐπὶ λύπην )

The accusative implies motion. Sorrow coming upon sorrow, as wave after wave.

Wesley: Phi 2:27 - -- Restoring him to health.

Restoring him to health.

JFB: Phi 2:27 - -- Epaphroditus' sickness proves that the apostles had not ordinarily the permanent gift of miracles, any more than of inspiration: both were vouchsafed ...

Epaphroditus' sickness proves that the apostles had not ordinarily the permanent gift of miracles, any more than of inspiration: both were vouchsafed to them only for each particular occasion, as the Spirit thought fit.

JFB: Phi 2:27 - -- Namely, the sorrow of losing him by death, in addition to the sorrow of my imprisonment. Here only occurs anything of a sorrowful tone in this Epistle...

Namely, the sorrow of losing him by death, in addition to the sorrow of my imprisonment. Here only occurs anything of a sorrowful tone in this Epistle, which generally is most joyous.

Clarke: Phi 2:27 - -- Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow - The sorrows of his death, added to the sorrow he endured on account of his sickness; or he may refer to his ...

Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow - The sorrows of his death, added to the sorrow he endured on account of his sickness; or he may refer to his own state of affliction, being imprisoned and maltreated.

Calvin: Phi 2:27 - -- 27.But God had mercy on him. He had expressed the severity of the disease — that Epaphroditus had been sick, so that life was despaired of, in orde...

27.But God had mercy on him. He had expressed the severity of the disease — that Epaphroditus had been sick, so that life was despaired of, in order that the goodness of God might shine forth more clearly in his restored health. It is, however, surprising that he should ascribe it to the mercy of God that Epaphroditus had had his period of life prolonged, while he had previously declared that he desired death in preference to life. (Phi 1:23.) And what were better for us than that we should remove hence to the kingdom of God, delivered from the many miseries of this world, and more especially, rescued from that bondage of sin in which he elsewhere exclaims that he is wretched, (Rom 7:24,) to attain the full enjoyment of that liberty of the Spirit, by which we become connected with the Son of God? 155 It were tedious to enumerate all the things which tend to make death better than life to believers, and more to be desired. Where, then, is there any token of the mercy of God, when it does nothing but lengthen out our miseries? I answer, that all these things do not prevent this life from being, nevertheless, considered in itself, an excellent gift of God. More especially those who live to Christ are happily exercised here in hope of heavenly glory; and accordingly, as we have had occasion to see a little ago, life is gain to them. 156 Besides, there is another thing, too, that is to be considered — that it is no small honor that is conferred upon us, when God glorifies himself in us; for it becomes us to look not so much to life itself, as to the end for which we live.

But on me also, lest I should have sorrow Paul acknowledges that the death of Epaphroditus would have been bitterly painful to him, and he recognises it as an instance of God’s sparing mercy toward himself, that he had been restored to health. He does not, therefore, make it his boast that he has the apathy (ἀπάθειαν) of the Stoics, as if he were a man of iron, and exempt from human affections. 157 “What then!” some one will say, “where is that unconquerable magnanimity?—where is that indefatigable perseverance?” I answer, that Christian patience differs widely from philosophical obstinacy, and still more from the stubborn and fierce sterness of the Stoics. For what excellence were there in patiently enduring the cross, if there were in it no feeling of pain and bitterness? But when the consolation of God overcomes that feeling, so that we do not resist, but, on the contrary, give our back to the endurance of the rod, (Isa 50:5,) we in that case present to God a sacrifice of obedience that is acceptable to him. Thus Paul acknowledges that he felt some uneasiness and pain from his bonds, but that he nevertheless cheerfully endured these same bonds for the sake of Christ. 158 He acknowledges that he would have felt the death of Epaphroditus an event hard to be endured, but he would at length have brought his temper of mind into accordance with the will of God, although all reluctance was not yet fully removed; for we give proof of our obedience, only when we bridle our depraved affections, and do not give way to the infirmity of the flesh. 159

Two things, therefore, are to be observed: in the first place, that the dispositions which God originally implanted in our nature are not evil in themselves, because they do not arise from the fault of corrupt nature, but come forth from God as their Author; of this nature is the grief that is felt on occasion of the death of friends: in the second place, that Paul had many other reasons for regret in connection with the death of Epaphroditus, and that these were not merely excusable, but altogether necessary. This, in the first place, is invariable in the case of all believers, that, on occasion of the death of any one, they are reminded of the anger of God against sin; but Paul was the more affected with the loss sustained by the Church, which he saw would be deprived of a singularly good pastor at a time when the good were so few in number. Those who would have dispositions of this kind altogether subdued and eradicated, do not picture to themselves merely men of flint, but men that are fierce and savage. In the depravity of our nature, however, everything in us is so perverted, that in whatever direction our minds are bent, they always go beyond bounds. Hence it is that there is nothing that is so pure or right in itself, as not to bring with it some contagion. Nay more, Paul, as being a man, would, I do not deny, have experienced in his grief something of human error, 160 for he was subject to infirmity, and required to be tried with temptations, in order that he might have occasion of victory by striving and resisting.

TSK: Phi 2:27 - -- nigh : Phi 2:30; 2Ki 20:1; Psa 107:18; Ecc 9:1, Ecc 9:2; Joh 11:3, Joh 11:4; Act 9:37 but God : Job 5:19; Psa 30:1-3, Psa 30:10,Psa 30:11, Psa 34:19, ...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Phi 2:27 - -- For indeed he was sick nigh unto death - Dr. Paley has remarked (Hor. Paul. on Phil no. ii.) that the account of the sickness and recovery of E...

For indeed he was sick nigh unto death - Dr. Paley has remarked (Hor. Paul. on Phil no. ii.) that the account of the sickness and recovery of Epaphroditus is such as to lead us to suppose that he was not restored by miracle; and he infers that the power of healing the sick was conferred on the apostles only occasionally, and did not depend at all on their will, since, if it had, there is every reason to suppose that Paul would at once have restored him to health. This account, he adds, shows also that this Epistle is not the work of an impostor. Had it been, a miracle would not have been spared. Paul would not have been introduced as showing such anxiety about a friend lying at the point of death, and as being unable to restore him. It would have been said that he interposed at once, and raised him up to health.

But God had mercy on him - By restoring him to health evidently not by miracle, but by the use of ordinary means.

On me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow - In addition to all the sorrows of imprisonment, and the prospect of a trial, and the want of friends. The sources of his sorrow, had Epaphroditus died, would have been such as these:

(1) He would have lost a valued friend, and one whom he esteemed as a brother and worthy fellow-laborer.

(2) He would have felt that the church at Philippi had lost a valuable member.

\caps1 (3) h\caps0 is grief might have been aggravated from the consideration that his life had been lost in endeavoring to do him good. He would have felt that he was the occasion, though innocent, of his exposure to danger.

Poole: Phi 2:27 - -- For indeed he was sick nigh unto death by reason he was really taken with such a disease, as in its own nature was mortal, and in its tendency brough...

For indeed he was sick nigh unto death by reason he was really taken with such a disease, as in its own nature was mortal, and in its tendency brought him even to death’ s door, as Isa 38:1 .

But God had mercy on him but God, who is the great Physician, and unto whom it belongs to show mercy unto those who address to him, (without whom bodily physicians can do nothing), by compassionating of him in his misery, was pleased to restore him to health, as 2Ki 20:5,6 . But if any say: Would it not have been great mercy to have taken him from the miseries of this life, which are here prolonged? Consider Phi 1:21 . It may be answered:

1. Death itself, as it is a privation of life, and opposite to nature, was not desirable by Paul any more than by our Saviour, but might be looked upon as a kind of misery, not to be preferred to life looked upon in itself, but with respect to another, viz. as it is a passage to eternal life; so it is desirable for that life into which it leads the godly, and so is to be preferred to the miserable condition of this life. Paul speaks here of mercy respecting the former, considering that this life itself is a favour of God, for the service of him, and our neighbour. Further:

2. God’ s mercy here respects not only the grievous sickness of Epaphroditus, but the joint affliction that the loss of him would be both to the Philippians and to Paul, in thus juncture, as we may see from what follows.

And not on him only, but on me also what power had Paul for working of miracles, was chiefly to convince infidels, and he could only exert it when God saw good for his own glory. Therefore he magnifies God’ s mercy here in a more ordinary way, as a return to prayer, when he was so afflicted for his colleague’ s illness; being upon an office of kindness and compassion, his loss would be in its tendency a ground of so much sorrow to the church, as well as to himself.

Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow his Christianity had not extinguished his natural affections, but if the church had then been bereft of Epaphroditus, it would have added the affliction for his loss to his affliction by his suffering for Christ, it would have doubled his affliction, (yet somewhat in a different sense from that, Phi 1:16 ), it being an ill temper not to be grieved for the affliction of the church, Amo 6:6 ; yet all our affections are to be moderated according to the will of God.

Gill: Phi 2:27 - -- For indeed he was sick nigh unto death,.... It was not a mere rumour, or a false alarm, but was real matter of fact; and it was not a light disorder, ...

For indeed he was sick nigh unto death,.... It was not a mere rumour, or a false alarm, but was real matter of fact; and it was not a light disorder, a slight indisposition, but a very dangerous illness; though the sickness was not unto death, yet near it. Good men, such as Christ loves, as he did Lazarus, are sometimes sick; though their spiritual diseases are healed, and their sins forgiven, so that the inhabitants of Zion have no more reason to say that they are sick, since Christ has took their infirmities, and bore their sickness, yet they are not exempt from bodily disorders; and which are sometimes such as bring them to the brink of the grave, and, as it were, to the gates of death; and such was this good man's case:

but God had mercy on him: his disorder was such as was out of the reach of man; his recovery was not by man, but by God, and owing to his power, mercy, and goodness; and indeed, whenever means are made rise of, and they succeed to the restoration of health, it ought to be ascribed to the divine blessing on them. The raising up of this man is reckoned as an instance of mercy to him; as it was the removing of a grievous affliction, a return of him to his delightful work of the ministry, and the continuation of an useful life for the good of others; and so a mercy to him, and to the churches of Christ, and to the apostle also: who adds,

and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow: one affliction added to another; the death of this brother of his to his bonds: moreover the sickness of this companion of his filled him with sorrow: and had he died, it would have greatly increased it, and which would have had a fresh addition by the loss this church would sustain, and the grief and trouble they would be overwhelmed with: grace, and the doctrine of grace, though they regulate the passions, and restrain them from immoderate sorrow, they do not destroy them, nor deny the proper use of them. Christianity does not countenance a stoical apathy, but requires and encourages a Christian sympathy, and directs us to weep with them that weep within due bounds.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Phi 2:27 Grk “For he became ill to the point of death.”

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Phi 2:1-30 - --1 Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ's humility and exaltation;12 to a careful proceeding in the way ...

MHCC: Phi 2:19-30 - --It is best with us, when our duty becomes natural to us. Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only; with a willing heart and upright vie...

Matthew Henry: Phi 2:19-30 - -- Paul takes particular notice of two good ministers; for though he was himself a great apostle, and laboured more abundantly than they all, yet he ...

Barclay: Phi 2:25-30 - --There is a dramatic story behind this. When the Philippians heard that Paul was in prison, their warm hearts were moved to action. They sent a gift...

Constable: Phi 1:27--4:10 - --III. Partnership in the gospel 1:27--4:9 Paul had been saying he hoped to be able to revisit Philippi and to min...

Constable: Phi 2:1-30 - --1. Walking in unity ch. 2 In expounding on the importance of unity and steadfastness as essentia...

Constable: Phi 2:25-30 - --The example of Epaphroditus 2:25-30 Another messenger would arrive in Philippi before either Paul or Timothy. Epaphroditus would carry this epistle to...

College: Phi 2:1-30 - --PHILIPPIANS 2 B. ATTITUDES PRODUCING UNITY (2:1-4) 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if a...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Philippians (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Philippians From Rome About a.d. 61 By Way of Introduction There is something to be said for the idea that Paul wrote the Epi...

JFB: Philippians (Book Introduction) The INTERNAL EVIDENCE for the authenticity of this Epistle is strong. The style, manner of thought, and doctrine, accord with Paul's. The incidental a...

JFB: Philippians (Outline) INSCRIPTION. THANKSGIVING AND PRAYERS FOR THE FLOURISHING SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE PHILIPPIANS. HIS OWN STATE AT ROME, AND THE RESULT OF HIS IMPRISONME...

TSK: Philippians (Book Introduction) The Church at Philippi in Macedonia was planted by the Apostle Paul about ad 53 (Acts 16:9-40); and it appears he visited them again, ad 60, though no...

TSK: Philippians 2 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Phi 2:1, Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ’s humility and exaltation; Phi 2:12, to a ...

Poole: Philippians 2 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 2

MHCC: Philippians (Book Introduction) The Philippians felt a very deep interest for the apostle. The scope of the epistle is to confirm them in the faith, to encourage them to walk as beco...

MHCC: Philippians 2 (Chapter Introduction) (Phi 2:1-4) Exhortations to a kind, humble spirit and behaviour. (Phi 2:5-11) The example of Christ. (Phi 2:12-18) Diligence in the affairs of salva...

Matthew Henry: Philippians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians Philippi was a chief city of the western part of Macedonia, ...

Matthew Henry: Philippians 2 (Chapter Introduction) The apostle proceeds to further exhortations to several duties, to be like-minded, and lowly-minded, which he presses from the example of Christ (P...

Barclay: Philippians (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: Philippians 2 (Chapter Introduction) The Causes Of Disunity (Phi_2:1-4) The Cure Of Disunity (Phi_2:1-4 Continued) True Godhead And True Manhood (Phi_2:5-11) Humiliation And Exaltati...

Constable: Philippians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background The name of the city of Philippi was originally Kri...

Constable: Philippians (Outline) Outline I. Salutation 1:1-2 II. Prologue 1:3-26 A. Thanksgiving 1:3-8 ...

Constable: Philippians Philippians Bibliography Alford, Henry. The Greek Testament. 4 vols. Cambridge: Deighton, Bell, and Co., 1884. ...

Haydock: Philippians (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE PHILIPPIANS. INTRODUCTION. Philippi, a considerable city in Macedonia, so called from Philip, fat...

Gill: Philippians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS Philippi was a Roman colony, and the chief city of one part of Macedonia, Act 16:12, it is by Appianus called Datos whi...

Gill: Philippians 2 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS 2 This chapter contains several exhortations to unity, love, and concord, to humility, and lowliness of mind, and to a ...

College: Philippians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION THE CITY When Paul bypassed the seaport at Neapolis and moved eight miles inland to Philippi, he did so because Philippi, though small,...

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