Philippians 2:1

Christian Unity and Christ’s Humility

2:1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, ¹  any affection or mercy, ² 

Philippians 2:25

2:25 But for now ³  I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, ⁴  coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger ⁵  and minister ⁶  to me in my need. ⁷ 

Philippians 2:30

2:30 since it was because of the work of Christ that he almost died. He risked his life so that he could make up for your inability to serve me. ⁸ 

¹ tn Or “spiritual fellowship” if πνεύματος (pneumato") is an attributive genitive; or “fellowship brought about by the Spirit” if πνεύματος is a genitive of source or production.

² tn Grk “and any affection and mercy.” The Greek idea, however, is best expressed by “or” in English.

³ tn Grk “But.” The temporal notion (“for now”) is implied in the epistolary aorist (“I have considered”), for Epaphroditus was dispatched with this letter to the Philippians.

⁴ tn Grk “my brother” instead of “For he is my brother.” Verse 25 constitutes one sentence in Greek, with “my brother…” functioning appositionally to “Epaphroditus.”

⁵ tn Grk “apostle.”

⁶ tn The Greek word translated “minister” here is λειτουργός (leitourgo").

⁷ tn Grk “servant of my need.”

⁵ tn Grk “make up for your lack of service to me.”