Philippians Chapter 2 verse 28 Holy Bible
I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
read chapter 2 in ASV
I have sent him, then, the more gladly, so that when you see him again, you may be happy and I may have the less sorrow.
read chapter 2 in BBE
I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that seeing him ye might again rejoice, and that *I* might be the less sorrowful.
read chapter 2 in DARBY
I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
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read chapter 2 in WBT
I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
read chapter 2 in WEB
The more eagerly, therefore, I did send him, that having seen him again ye may rejoice, and I may be the less sorrowful;
read chapter 2 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 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; rather, I send him (epistolary aorist, as Ver. 25), I send him with the letter. Perhaps "again" is better taken with the following clause; "that when ye see him, ye may again rejoice." Note St. Paul's ready sympathy with the Philippians: their restored joy will involve a diminution of his sorrow. Mark also the implied admission that sorrows must still remain, though spiritual joy brightens and relieves them. "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6:10).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(28) I sent him therefore the more carefully.--That is, I was the more earnest and anxious to send him. In any case the Apostle would have been desirous to express his thanks and send news by Epaphroditus. But the circumstances of his illness increased that desire to greater earnestness.I may be the less sorrowful.--There is a peculiar pathos in this expression, as contrasted with the completeness of joy described above in Philippians 2:17-18. Epaphroditus' recovery and safe return would take away the "sorrow upon sorrow;" but the old sorrow of captivity, enforced inactivity, and anxiety for the condition of the gospel, would remain. The expression of perfect joy belongs to the "spirit which was willing" indeed; the hint of an unspoken sorrow marks the weakness of the flesh.
