Philippians 2:28

28 Therefore I am sending him with special urgency, in order that [when] you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious.

Philippians 2:28 Meaning and Commentary

Philippians 2:28

I sent him therefore the more carefully
Or in greater haste, and as soon as possible:

that when ye see him again ye may rejoice;
for this must greatly increase their joy, to see him again after he had been so long from them, and under such a disorder, which had made them to fear they should never see him more. The Syriac version renders it, "that when ye see him ye may rejoice again"; as they had done heretofore in his conversation and ministry, when among them:

and that I may be the less sorrowful;
when he should hear of his safe arrival among them, and of their joyful reception of him to their mutual satisfaction, which would be an alleviation of the apostle's sorrow in his present circumstances; for he did not expect to be wholly without sorrow while in this life.

Philippians 2:28 In-Context

26 because he was longing for all of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

27 For indeed he was sick, coming near to death, but God had mercy on him and not [on] him only, but also [on] me, so that I would not have grief upon grief.

28 Therefore I am sending him with special urgency, in order that [when] you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious.

29 Therefore welcome him in the Lord with all joy, and consider such [people] highly honored,

30 because on account of the work of Christ he came near to the point of death, risking his life in order that {he might make up for your inability to serve me}.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "when" is supplied as a component of the participle ("see") which is understood as temporal