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Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
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English Standard Version

Philippians 2:27

Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Epaphroditus;   Minister, Christian;   Suffering;   Thompson Chain Reference - Disease;   Health-Disease;   Sickness;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Mercy of God, the;   Sickness;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Healing;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Mercy;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Epaphroditus;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Philippians, the Epistle to the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Letter Form and Function;   Mercy, Merciful;   Philippians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Epaphroditus;   Medicine;   Philippians, Epistle to;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Epaphroditus ;   Grief ;   Life and Death;   Mercy;   Mercy ;   Philippians Epistle to the;   Sickness;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Colossians;   Epaphroditus;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Philippi;   Philippians, the Epistle to;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
He was sick and near death. But God helped him and me too, so that I would not have even more grief.
Revised Standard Version
Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And no doute he was sicke and that nye vnto deeth. But god had mercy on him: not on him only but on me also lest I shuld have had sorowe apon sorowe.
Hebrew Names Version
For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.
New American Standard Bible
For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
New Century Version
Yes, he was sick, and nearly died, but God had mercy on him and me too so that I would not have more sadness.
Update Bible Version
for indeed he was sick near to death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.
Webster's Bible Translation
For indeed he was sick nigh to death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
World English Bible
For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
He was indeed sick nigh unto death; but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me likewise, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Weymouth's New Testament
For it is true that he has been ill, and was apparently at the point of death; but God had pity on him, and not only on him, but also on me, to save me from having sorrow upon sorrow.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For he was sijk to the deth, but God hadde merci on him; and not oneli on hym, but also on me, lest Y hadde heuynesse on heuynesse.
English Revised Version
for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
Berean Standard Bible
He 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.
Contemporary English Version
In fact, he was very sick and almost died. But God was kind to him, and also to me, and he kept me from being burdened down with sorrow.
Amplified Bible
He certainly was sick and close to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
American Standard Version
for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
Bible in Basic English
For in fact he was ill almost to death: but God had mercy on him; and not only on him but on me, so that I might not have grief on grief.
Complete Jewish Bible
Indeed he was ill, close to death; but God had mercy on him — and not only on him, but also on me — otherwise I would have had sorrow piled on sorrow.
Darby Translation
for he was also sick close to death, but God had mercy on him, and not indeed on him alone, but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
International Standard Version
Indeed, he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow on top of another.sorrow on sorrow">[fn]
Etheridge Translation
Yes, he was sick, unto death; but Aloha had mercy upon him; but not upon him only, but upon me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Murdock Translation
And indeed he was sick, nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him: nor was it on him only, but also on me, that I might not have trouble upon trouble.
King James Version (1611)
For indeed he was sicke nigh vnto death, but God had mercy on him: and not on him onely, but on mee also, lest I should haue sorow vpon sorow.
New Living Translation
And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.
New Life Bible
It is true, he was sick. Yes, he almost died, but God showed loving-kindness to him and to me. If he had died, I would have had even more sorrow.
New Revised Standard
He was indeed so ill that he nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And no doubt he was sicke, very neere vnto death: but God had mercie on him, and not on him onely, but on me also, least I should haue sorowe vpon sorowe.
George Lamsa Translation
For indeed he was sick to the point of death but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, in fact, he was sick, nigh unto death; but, God, had mercy on him, - and, not on him only, but, on me also, lest, sorrow upon sorrow, I should have.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For indeed he was sick, nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him. And not only on him, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And no doubt he was sicke nye vnto death, but God had mercie on hym, and not on hym only, but on me also, lest I shoulde haue sorowe vpon sorowe.
Good News Translation
Indeed he was sick and almost died. But God had pity on him, and not only on him but on me, too, and spared me an even greater sorrow.
Christian Standard Bible®
Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
King James Version
For 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.
Lexham English Bible
For indeed he was sick, coming near to death, but God had mercy on him and not on him only, but also on me, so that I would not have grief upon grief.
Literal Translation
For indeed he was sick, coming near to death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him, but also me, lest I should have grief on grief.
Young's Literal Translation
for he also ailed nigh to death, but God did deal kindly with him, and not with him only, but also with me, that sorrow upon sorrow I might not have.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And no doute he was sicke, and that nye vnto death: but God had mercy on him, and not on him onely, but on me also, lest I shulde haue had sorowe vpon sorowe.
Mace New Testament (1729)
but God had pity on him, and not on him only, but on me likewise, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
New English Translation
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.
New King James Version
For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Saying he was sick was an understatement. He had one foot in the Boothill Cemetery before God snatched him back. I thank God for saving him too. I've had sorrow after sorrow and if he'd died, I don't know how much more I could take.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
Legacy Standard Bible
For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.

Contextual Overview

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

nigh: Philippians 2:30, 2 Kings 20:1, Psalms 107:18, Ecclesiastes 9:1, Ecclesiastes 9:2, John 11:3, John 11:4, Acts 9:37

but God: Job 5:19, Psalms 30:1-3, Psalms 30:10, Psalms 30:11, Psalms 34:19, Psalms 103:3, Psalms 103:4, Psalms 107:19-22, Isaiah 38:17, Isaiah 43:2, Acts 9:39-41

but on: Isaiah 27:8, Jeremiah 8:18, Jeremiah 10:24, Jeremiah 45:3, Habakkuk 3:2, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 2:7

Reciprocal: Psalms 13:2 - sorrow Psalms 41:3 - strengthen Philippians 2:28 - and that 2 Timothy 4:20 - sick 3 John 1:2 - that

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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.

(3) His 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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 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 own state of affliction, being imprisoned and maltreated.


 
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