Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options

Philippians 2:19-3:1
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

IV. Travel Plans of Paul and His Assistants[a]

Timothy and Paul. 19 I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy[b] to you soon, so that I too may be heartened by hearing news of you.(A) 20 For I have no one comparable to him for genuine interest in whatever concerns you. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.(B) 22 But you know his worth, how as a child with a father he served along with me in the cause of the gospel. 23 He it is, then, whom I hope to send as soon as I see how things go with me, 24 but I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.[c]

Epaphroditus. 25 With regard to Epaphroditus,[d] my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister in my need, I consider it necessary to send him to you.(C) 26 For he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 He was indeed ill, close to death; but God had mercy on him, not just on him but also on me, so that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I send him therefore with the greater eagerness, so that, on seeing him, you may rejoice again, and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy and hold such people in esteem,(D) 30 because for the sake of the work of Christ he came close to death, risking his life to make up for those services to me that you could not perform.

Chapter 3

Concluding Admonitions. 1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice[e] in the Lord. Writing the same things to you is no burden for me but is a safeguard for you.(E)

Footnotes

  1. 2:19–3:1 The plans of Paul and his assistants for future travel are regularly a part of a Pauline letter near its conclusion; cf. Rom 15:22–29; 1 Cor 16:5–12.
  2. 2:19 Timothy: already known to the Philippians (Acts 16:1–15; cf. 1 Cor 4:17; 16:10).
  3. 2:24 I myself will also come soon: cf. Phil 1:19–25 for the significance of this statement.
  4. 2:25 Epaphroditus: sent by the Philippians as their messenger (literally, “apostle”) to aid Paul in his imprisonment, he had fallen seriously ill; Paul commends him as he sends him back to Philippi.
  5. 3:1 Finally…rejoice: the adverb often signals the close of a letter; cf. Phil 4:8; 2 Cor 13:11. While the verb could also be translated “good-bye” or “farewell,” although it is never so used in Greek epistolography, the theme of joy has been frequent in the letter (Phil 1:18; 2:2, 18); note also Phil 4:4 and the addition of “always” there as evidence for the meaning “rejoice.” To write the same things may refer to what Paul has previously taught in Philippi or to what he has just written or to what follows.
Next
Philippians 1
Philippians 4
Next
dropdown
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.