Philippians 2:25–27

2:25 But for now20 I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother,21 coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger22 and minister23 to me in my need.24 2:26 Indeed, he greatly missed all of you and was distressed because you heard that he had been ill. 2:27 In fact he became so ill that he nearly died.25 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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20	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.
21	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.” sn The reason why Paul refers to Epaphroditus as his brother, coworker, fellow soldier, etc., is because he wants to build up Epaphroditus in the eyes of the Philippians, since Paul is sending him back instead of Timothy. This accent on Epaphroditus’ character and service is implied in the translation “For he is …”
22	tn Grk “apostle.”
23	tn The Greek word translated “minister” here is λειτουργός (leitourgos).
24	tn Grk “servant of my need.”
25	tn Grk “For he became ill to the point of death.”