Philippians 2:28

28 The more eagerly, therefore, I did send him, that having seen him again ye may rejoice, and I may be the less sorrowful;

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 seeing he was longing after you all, and in heaviness, because ye heard that he ailed,

27 for he also ailed nigh to death, but God did deal kindly with him, and not with him only, but also with me, that sorrow upon sorrow I might not have.

28 The more eagerly, therefore, I did send him, that having seen him again ye may rejoice, and I may be the less sorrowful;

29 receive him, therefore, in the Lord, with all joy, and hold such in honour,

30 because on account of the work of the Christ he drew near to death, having hazarded the life that he might fill up your deficiency of service unto me.