25
But I think it's necessary to send Epaphroditus back to you. He is my brother in the Lord. He is a worker and a soldier of Christ together with me. He is also your messenger. You sent him to take care of my needs.
Reference
People
Greek: εἰ μή (ei mḗ)
if not
Hebrew: ʼăbâl
nay, i.e. truly or yet
Greek: μέ (mé)
me
Hebrew: ʼănâʼ
I
Greek: ἐνθυμέομαι (enthyméomai)
to be inspirited, i.e. ponder
Hebrew: çᵉbar
to bear in mind, i.e. hope
Hebrew: hêm
they (only used when emphatic)
Greek: ἐπάναγκες (epánankes)
(adverbially) on necessity, i.e. necessarily
Greek: πέμπω (pémpō)
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas (as a stronger form of ) refers rather to the objective point or terminus ad quem, the orderly motion involved), especially on a temporary errand; also to transmit, bestow, or wield
Greek: Ἐπαφρόδιτος (Epaphróditos)
Epaphroditus, a Christian
Greek: νῶτος (nōtos)
the back
Hebrew: gab
the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc.
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: ἀδελφός (adelphós)
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
Hebrew: ʼach
{a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance)}
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ῥαββονί (rhabboní)
God
Hebrew: ʼâdôwn
sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Greek: στρατεύομαι (strateúomai)
to serve in a military campaign; figuratively, to execute the apostolate (with its arduous duties and functions), to contend with carnal inclinations
Greek: Χριστός (Christós)
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Greek: ὁμοῦ (homoû)
akin to G260 (ἅμα)) as adverb; at the same place or time
Greek: ἐμαυτοῦ (emautoû)
of myself so likewise the dative case , and accusative case
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: δή (dḗ)
a particle of emphasis or explicitness; now, then, etc.
Hebrew: ʼôw
desire (and so probably in Proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
Hebrew: bâsar
properly, to be fresh, i.e. full (rosy, (figuratively) cheerful); to announce (glad news)
Greek: τοῦτον (toûton)
this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)
Greek: ἐπιμελέομαι (epimeléomai)
to care for (physically or otherwise)
Verse Explanation
Paul considers it necessary to send Epaphroditus, describing him as a brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and messenger who served the Philippians on their behalf, highlighting his importance to the church's ministry.
History
c. AD 60–62: Epaphroditus appears to have carried the Philippians' support to Paul during his imprisonment.