King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
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.
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.
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
For{G1063} indeed{G2532} he was sick{G770} nigh{G3897} unto death{G2288}: but{G235} God{G2316} had mercy{G1653} on him{G846}; and{G1161} not{G3756} on him{G846} only{G3440}, but{G235} on me{G1691} also{G2532}, lest{G3363} I should have{G2192} sorrow{G3077} upon{G1909} sorrow{G3077}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 34:19
- Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
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.
Acts 9:37
- And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid [her] in an upper chamber.
John 11:3
- Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
John 11:4
- When Jesus heard [that], he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
2 Corinthians 2:7
- So that contrariwise ye [ought] rather to forgive [him], and comfort [him], lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Psalms 103:3
- Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Philippians 2:27
Philippians 2:27 is a verse that reflects the Apostle Paul's deep pastoral concern and the providential care of God in the midst of physical affliction. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early Christian community's experiences with illness and healing. In the verses leading up to Philippians 2:27, Paul discusses the potential return of his fellow worker, Epaphroditus, who had been sent by the Philippian church to aid Paul in his ministry but had fallen gravely ill during his mission.
The themes of this verse include divine mercy, the interconnectedness of Christian suffering and comfort, and the reality of human frailty. Paul emphasizes that Epaphroditus's illness was so severe that it brought him to the brink of death. However, God's mercy extended not only to Epaphroditus, restoring him to health, but also to Paul, sparing him the additional grief of losing a dear companion and co-laborer in Christ. This verse underscores the shared experience of sorrow and joy within the Christian community and the belief that God is attentive to the prayers and needs of His people.
In summary, Philippians 2:27 captures the essence of Christian hope in the face of life-threatening situations, the communal nature of Christian experience, and the assurance that God's compassion encompasses the emotional and physical well-being of His followers. It serves as a testament to the early church's reliance on God's providence during times of sickness and the pastoral heart of Paul, who saw the health of his brother in Christ as intrinsically linked to his own spiritual and emotional state.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G770
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀσθενέω
Transliteration: asthenéō
Pronunciation: as-then-eh'-o
Description: from ἀσθενής; to be feeble (in any sense):--be diseased, impotent folk (man), (be) sick, (be, be made) weak. - Strong's Number: G3897
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: παραπλήσιον
Transliteration: paraplḗsion
Pronunciation: par-ap-lay'-see-on
Description: neuter of a compound of παρά and the base of πλησίον (as adverb); close by, i.e. (figuratively) almost:--nigh unto. - Strong's Number: G2288
There are 106 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θάνατος
Transliteration: thánatos
Pronunciation: than'-at-os
Description: from θνήσκω; (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively):--X deadly, (be…) death. - Strong's Number: G235
There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλλά
Transliteration: allá
Pronunciation: al-lah'
Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet. - Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward). - Strong's Number: G1653
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐλεέω
Transliteration: eleéō
Pronunciation: el-eh-eh'-o
Description: from ἔλεος; to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace):--have compassion (pity on), have (obtain, receive, shew) mercy (on). - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος. - Strong's Number: G3440
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μόνον
Transliteration: mónon
Pronunciation: mon'-on
Description: neuter of μόνος as adverb; merely:--alone, but, only. - Strong's Number: G1691
There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐμέ
Transliteration: emé
Pronunciation: em-eh'
Description: a prolonged form of μέ; me:--I, me, my(-self). - Strong's Number: G3363
There are 95 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἵνα μή
Transliteration: hína mḗ
Pronunciation: hin'-ah may
Description: i.e. ἵνα and μή; in order (or so) that not:--albeit not, lest, that, no(-t, (-thing)). - Strong's Number: G2192
There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔχω
Transliteration: échō
Pronunciation: skheh'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use. - Strong's Number: G3077
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λύπη
Transliteration: lýpē
Pronunciation: loo'-pay
Description: apparently a primary word; sadness:--grief, grievous, + grudgingly, heaviness, sorrow. - Strong's Number: G1909
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπί
Transliteration: epí
Pronunciation: ep-ee'
Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).