Philippians 2:25-30 Epaphroditus and need

Why does Paul just talk about sending Timothy in Philippians 2:19-24?

Philippians 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. [kjv]

2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. [kjv]

2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. [kjv]

2:22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. [kjv]

2:23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. [kjv]

More: Philippians 2:19-24 Timothy and like-minded

Why does Paul just talk about sending Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25-27 before announcing a somewhat ambiguous and interesting decision?

Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. [kjv]

2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. [kjv]

2:27 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. [kjv]

What is Paul's "sorrow upon sorrow"?

Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. [kjv]

αναγκαιον δε ηγησαμην επαφροδιτον τον αδελφον και συνεργον και συστρατιωτην μου υμων δε αποστολον και λειτουργον της χρειας μου πεμψαι προς υμας [gnt]

What is so "necessary" or "needed"? Who needs this? Paul, leadership, etc.

The Greek for "supposed" is the ancient Greek word "ηγησαμην" ≈ "lead the way" and appears to be used by Paul elsewhere with hints of "hegemony" as a Greek word that (even at that time) came from the verb for "lead the way".

Who is "you"? Remember that in Philippians 1 and 2, Paul appears to be talking to the church leadership - bishops, deacons, etc.

Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. [kjv]

The name "Epaphroditus" means "charming" or "lovely", being a masculine name for the suffix coming from "Aphrodite". Might this name meaning describe part of the leadership at Philippi that is based on "personal opinion"?

Philippians 4:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus. [kjv]

η χαρις του κυριου ιησου χριστου μετα του πνευματος υμων [gnt]

It appears that Epaphroditus was writing what Paul was dictating.

Philippians 4:23

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KJV: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.

Greek: η χαρις του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου μετα παντων του πνευματος υμων αμην προς φιλιππησιους εγραφη απο ρωμης δι επαφροδιτου

Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. [kjv]

The ancient Greek word "στρατιώτης" ≈ "soldier" and is the source of the English word "strategy". Some think that Epaphroditus was a former soldier.

More: Song: Onward Christian soldiers

More: Ephesians 6: Defending the full armor of God

The modern Greek word "στρατιώτης" (stra-tee-O-tees) ≈ "soldier" from which we get the word "strategy".

Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. [kjv]

The KJV (King James Version) translates "messenger" for the Greek which is elsewhere translated "apostle".

The ancient Greek word "ἀπόστολος" ≈ "one who is sent" and did not have the modern meaning of "Apostle". Another meaning was developing of an "apostle" being one who had first hand experience with Jesus Christ.

More: Tracking down the scent of apostles and messages

More: Romans 16: A woman apostle

The modern Greek word "απόστολος" (a-PO-sto-los) ≈ "apostle".

Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. [kjv]

The Greek for "ministered" is that of "work" and is the source of the English word "liturgy".

The ancient Greek word "λειτουργός" ≈ "public servant, minister" and comes from the Greek words for "town-hall" or "council-room", being based on the word for "people" and the word for "work".

The ancient Greek word "λαός" ≈ "people" and is the source of the English word "laity".
The ancient Greek word "ἔργον" ≈ "labor, work" and is related to the English word "work".

More: An opus on the workings of work

Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. [kjv]

The KJV translates "wants" for the Greek which is "needs" as the ancient Greek word "χρεία" ≈ "need, purpose, use" and comes from the ancient Greek word "χρή" ≈ "have to, ought, should".

One derived word is the ancient Greek word "χρήματα" ≈ "money" from the ancient Greek word "χρῆμα" ≈ "need, goods, affair". In Romans, Paul makes a pun out of another derived word meaning "useful" in relation to "Christ".

More: Romans 16 A belly-ache pun on useful Christ-like words

The modern Greek word "χρειά" (hree-A) ≈ "need".

Philippians 2:25

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KJV: Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

Hebrew: ואחשב מן הצרך לשלח אליכם את אפפרודיטוס אחי ועזרי וחברי בצבא והוא שליחכם ומשרתי בצרכי׃

Greek: αναγκαιον δε ηγησαμην επαφροδιτον τον αδελφον και συνεργον και συστρατιωτην μου υμων δε αποστολον και λειτουργον της χρειας μου πεμψαι προς υμας

Philippians 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. [kjv]

επειδη επιποθων ην παντας υμας ιδειν και αδημονων διοτι ηκουσατε οτι ησθενησεν [gnt]

Paul's "southern" roots come through as he says "you all". Who is "you"? Who is the "he"? Can we substitute one of the leadership for "he" and have the thought still be meaningful? The "full of" is inferred.

Why did Epaphroditus "long for" and be "full of heaviness" for those at Philippi? Might it be because he missed the leadership and atmosphere at Philippi? The Greek for "sick" has the more general meaning of being "weak". How can someone else hearing about you make you "heavy"?

The Greek word for "full of heaviness" describes Jesus in Matthew and Mark.

In Matthew and Mark, in the Garden after the Last Supper, while Jesus prays, the same Greek word is used in the sense of Jesus becoming "heavy".

In Matthew, Jesus is "sorrowful" and "heavy".

Matthew 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. [kjv]

και παραλαβων τον πετρον και τους δυο υιους ζεβεδαιου ηρξατο λυπεισθαι και αδημονειν [gnt]

Was Jesus "sorrowful"? The Greek word means "annoyed" or, in context, "distressed".

In Mark, Jesus is "sore amazed" and "heavy".

Mark 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; [kjv]

και παραλαμβανει τον πετρον και τον τον ιακωβον και τον ιωαννην αυτου και ηρξατο εκθαμβεισθαι και αδημονειν [gnt]

Matthew 26:37

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KJV: And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

Greek: και παραλαβων τον πετρον και τους δυο υιους ζεβεδαιου ηρξατο λυπεισθαι και αδημονειν

Mark 14:33

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KJV: And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

Greek: και παραλαμβανει τον πετρον και τον τον ιακωβον και τον ιωαννην μεθ εαυτου μετ αυτου και ηρξατο εκθαμβεισθαι και αδημονειν

Philippians 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. [kjv]

επειδη επιποθων ην παντας υμας ιδειν και αδημονων διοτι ηκουσατε οτι ησθενησεν [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "αδημονία" ≈ "anxiety, distress". The modern Greek word "αδημονία" (a-thee-mo-NEE-a) ≈ "impatience, anxiety".

How would you create a sermon around this verse? Who is "he"? Who is "you"? Who's on first?

Paul appears to be making many subliminal comments using play-on-words, puns, references to other scripture, etc.

Philippians 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. [kjv]

επειδη επιποθων ην παντας υμας ιδειν και αδημονων διοτι ηκουσατε οτι ησθενησεν [gnt]

Let us add the letter "s", as Greek sigma «σ», into the word for "anxiety" or "distress" and translated in the KJV as "full of heaviness".

"ᾍδης" ≈ "Hades" as a word for "hell".
"μονή" ≈ "remain, stay" as in a "residence" or "mansion".

«αδημονων» as "full of heaviness" (a-thee-mo-non).
«αδης μονων» as "remain in hell" (a-thees-mo-non)

More: Luke 2:7 no room at the inn

Philippians 2:26

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KJV: For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

Hebrew: יען היותו נכסף לכלכם ונעצב מאד על אשר שמעתם כי חלה׃

Greek: επειδη επιποθων ην παντας υμας ιδειν και αδημονων διοτι ηκουσατε οτι ησθενησεν

Philippians 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. [kjv]

επειδη επιποθων ην παντας υμας και αδημονων διοτι ηκουσατε οτι ησθενησεν [gnt]

Pronouns can be for ambiguous. Put on your best "snarky" glasses to filter the meaning of the verse. To whom does each "he" and "you" refer?

Is Paul hinting that the "he" will "stay in hell" or, perhaps, in modern terms "go to hell" if "he" (as the church leadership) continues on his current path? The double-meaning would help explain the peculiar wording of the verse and setup - it needs to convey two separate plausible meanings. Paul appears to be making many similar types of "snarky" comments throughout his letter to the Philippians.

How might one setup the play-on-words with the added "s" sound?

Φιλιππησίους 2:25 αναγκαιον δε ηγησαμην επαφροδιτον τον αδελφον και συνεργον και συστρατιωτην μου υμων δε αποστολον και λειτουργον της χρειας μου πεμψαι προς υμας [gnt]

2:26 επειδη επιποθων ην παντας υμας και αδημονων διοτι ηκουσατε οτι ησθενησεν [gnt]

It may be just a coincidence, but, interestingly, in the end of the preceding verse and this verse, Paul uses the "s" sound 14 times in 26 words as 54% of the words (two have the "s" twice). The usual occurrence of the letter "s" in what Paul writes does not appear to provide a pattern here but the use of the "s" is interesting.

In Greek, the "s" sound happens in the following letters: σ (s), ς (s), ψ (ps), ξ (ks), ζ (ts).

Graphic: words in Philippians with s sound

Words in Greek (Byzantine text) in the four chapters of Philippians.

gray : no "s" sound
red: yes "s" sound
yellow: word in question

This diagram shows the occurrence of the sound "s" in the Greek words in Philippians.

Here are words with the "s" sound (in red) that appear only once in Philippians.

Do you see a pattern?

Here are words with the "s" sound (in red) that appear more than once in Philippians.

Do you see a pattern?

Note: These are experimental research charts so labeling is minimal and color is used to convey meaning, etc. They will be improved over time.

*G1971 *9 ἐπιποθέω (ep-ee-poth-eh'-o) : from G1909 and potheo (to yearn); to dote upon, i.e. intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully):--(earnestly) desire (greatly), (greatly) long (after), lust.

Usage

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επιποθω *2

Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart ...
Philippians 1:8 ... my record, how greatly I long after you all in ...

επιποθουντες *2

2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house ...
1 Thessalonians 3:6 ... remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as ...

επιποθων *2

Philippians 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, ...
2 Timothy 1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, ...

επιποθουντων

2 Corinthians 9:14 ... prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding ...

επιποθει

James 4:5 ... dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

επιποθησατε

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, ...

Words: επιποθει επιποθησατε επιποθουντες=2 επιποθουντων επιποθω=2 επιποθων=2

*G85 *3 ἀδημονέω (ad-ay-mon-eh'-o) : from a derivative of adeo (to be sated to loathing); to be in distress (of mind):--be full of heaviness, be very heavy.

Usage

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αδημονειν *2

Matthew 26:37 ... and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Mark 14:33 ... began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

αδημονων

Philippians 2:26 ... you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

Words: αδημονειν=2 αδημονων

Philippians 2:27

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KJV: 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.

Hebrew: אמנם חלה חלה וגם נטה למות אבל האלהים רחם עליו ולא עליו בלבד כי גם עלי רחם שלא יבוא עלי יגון על יגון׃

Greek: και γαρ ησθενησεν παραπλησιον θανατω αλλ θανατου αλλα ο θεος αυτον ηλεησεν αυτον ουκ αυτον δε μονον αλλα και εμε ινα μη λυπην επι λυπη λυπην σχω

Paul then continues. Or does he?

Philippians 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. [kjv]

σπουδαιοτερως ουν επεμψα αυτον ινα ιδοντες αυτον παλιν χαρητε καγω αλυποτερος ω [gnt]

festinantius … illum … gaudeatis … tristitia … [v]

Who is the "him" in this verse? Are you sure?

Some movies use this ambiguity as humor. Some people like this humor. Some do not. Here is an example from one of the Airplane movies.

Be hospitable and not hostile!

Person A: There's a problem at the hospital.
Person B: What is it?
Person A: It's a big building with patients, but that's not important now.

The pronoun "it" is somewhat ambiguous. Pronouns usually refers to the nearest noun, but not always. This is an example of one problem that makes NLP (Natural Language Processing) by computers difficult.

More: Matthew 25:38 Hosting strange and hostile guests and ghosts

More: Pronouns

The modern Greek word "σπουδαιότερος" (spu-theh-O-teh-ros) ≈ "more important".

Philippians 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. [kjv]

σπουδαιοτερως ουν επεμψα αυτον ινα ιδοντες αυτον παλιν χαρητε καγω αλυποτερος ω [gnt]

festinantius … illum … gaudeatis … tristitia … [v]

Paul talks at length of two possible helpers.

"Timothy" is truly of God. The name means "honoring God".
"Epaphroditus" was near death. The name means "charming".

Reading carefully (verses omitted), Paul does not clearly say who is being sent. Pronouns can be ambiguous. Who is "him"? Where does Paul ask them which one they want to be more like? Anyone who uses play-on-words knows that one often needs to do a longer set-up for the pun, joke, etc.

More: Pronouns

Philippians 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. [kjv]

σπουδαιοτερως ουν επεμψα αυτον ινα ιδοντες αυτον παλιν χαρητε καγω αλυποτερος ω [gnt]

festinantius … illum … gaudeatis … tristitia … [v]

The KJV (and many English translations) tend to translate more "passive" meanings than the Greek more "active" meanings.

"more carefully" or "study" instead of "as an urgent focused priority".
"rejoice" instead of "greet him".
"less sorrowful" instead of "not more annoyed".

More: 2 Timothy 2:15 An urgent focused priority to do diligent study

More: A joyous thank you for the grace of a gaudy favor

Philippians 2:28 … that I may be the less sorrowful. [kjv]

σπουδαιοτερως ουν επεμψα αυτον ινα ιδοντες αυτον παλιν χαρητε καγω αλυποτερος ω [gnt]

festinantius … illum … gaudeatis … tristitia … [v]

The KJV has "less sorrowful" whereas the Greek actually has, using "sorrow", "not more sorrowful". They are not the same. However, the ancient Greek word "λύπη" ≈ "annoyance, distress".
Which makes more sense, given the context?

"that I might not be more sorrowful" (where is the joy?)
"that I might not be more annoyed" (than I already am)

Where does Paul ask them which of the two they want to be more like, "Timothy" as in "honoring God" or "Epaphroditus" as in "charming" and "near death"?

More: Whether this or that: What is your opinion on glory?

*G253 *1 ἀλυπότερος (al-oo-pot'-er-os) : comparative of a compound of G1 (as a negative particle) and G3077; more without grief:--less sorrowful.

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αλυποτερος

Philippians 2:28 ... ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

Words: αλυποτερος

When Paul uses a word that is used only one time (and not used much elsewhere), there is a good chance that Paul created this word for a special purpose such as a double-meaning, play-on-words, pun, etc.

Instead of "not more annoyed", another meaning appears to be that of "not more complacent" (from Aristotle by Barnes, "On the heavens", p. 484).

Philippians 2:28 … that I may be the less sorrowful. [kjv]

σπουδαιοτερως ουν επεμψα αυτον ινα ιδοντες αυτον παλιν χαρητε καγω αλυποτερος ω [gnt]

festinantius … illum … gaudeatis … tristitia … [v]

Verbal play on words:

"αλυπότερος" (a-lee-po-ter-ros) means "not more annoyed" (one time use) or "not more pain".
"αλλά πότερως" (al-la po-te-ros) means "but which of the two".

As stated:

"that I might not be more annoyed" (than I already am)

Implied (play on words):

"that I might be, but which of the two" (do you want to be like)

Philippians 2:28

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KJV: I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

Greek: σπουδαιοτερως ουν επεμψα αυτον ινα ιδοντες αυτον παλιν χαρητε καγω αλυποτερος ω

Latin: festinantius ergo misi illum ut viso eo iterum gaudeatis et ego sine tristitia sim

Philippians 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: [kjv]

προσδεχεσθε ουν αυτον εν κυριω μετα πασης χαρας και τους τοιουτους εντιμους εχετε [gnt]

Do we know who this is for sure?

The Greek for "reputation" has part of the name of Timothy in it. Is this an accident or was it on purpose? When Paul makes a play on words or other reference he will often include some word or words a verse or so later to let you know it was no accident.

The Greek for "gladness" is that of "favor" - which could be "gladness".

Philippians 2:29

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KJV: Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

Greek: προσδεχεσθε ουν αυτον εν κυριω μετα πασης χαρας και τους τοιουτους εντιμους εχετε

Philippians 2:30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. [kjv]

οτι δια το εργον κυριου μεχρι θανατου ηγγισεν τη ψυχη ινα αναπληρωση το υμων υστερημα της προς με λειτουργιας [gnt]

After some possible uncertainty, we now get some clarification.

Can we now assume that Paul means Epaphroditus?

Has the church at Philippi done due diligence in their support of Paul?

Discuss: Compare this support with that of Epaphroditus.

Philippians 2:30

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KJV: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Greek: οτι δια το εργον του χριστου κυριου μεχρι θανατου ηγγισεν παραβουλευσαμενος παραβολευσαμενος τη ψυχη ινα αναπληρωση το υμων υστερημα της προς με λειτουργιας