Bible Strands
Philippians 2:26
For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Philippian believers while arranging for Epaphroditus to return home after recovering from a severe illness. He frames this dispatch as a necessary response to the church's concern.
The words — ἐπιποθῶν (epipothōn) translates to longing after, and ἀδημονῶν (adēmonōn) translates to being deeply distressed. These terms specify Epaphroditus's emotional condition toward the church and his recent sickness.
The thread — The contrast between heavy anxiety and relief mirrors Proverbs 12:25, while the expectation of shared emotional burden aligns with Romans 12:15. Both references situate the verse within biblical patterns of communal empathy and divine comfort.
Why it lands — The text states that Epaphroditus longed to see the believers and felt distress when they learned of his illness. It requires readers to acknowledge the concrete reality of pastoral suffering and the expectation of mutual concern within the church.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
- Isaiah 61:3 to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
- Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
- Ephesians 3:13 So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
- Philippians 1:8 God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
- 2 Samuel 13:39 And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he had been consoled over Amnon’s death.
- Psalms 69:20 Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one.
- Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
- Matthew 26:37 He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
- Romans 9:2 I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.