Philippians 2:26
New International Version
For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

New Living Translation
I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill.

English Standard Version
for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.

Berean Standard Bible
For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

Berean Literal Bible
since he was longing after you all and being deeply distressed because you heard that he was ill.

King James Bible
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

New King James Version
since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

New American Standard Bible
because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

NASB 1995
because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

NASB 1977
because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

Legacy Standard Bible
because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

Amplified Bible
For he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

Christian Standard Bible
since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick.

American Standard Version
since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick:

Contemporary English Version
but now he is eager to see you. He is worried, because you heard he was sick.

English Revised Version
since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He has been longing to see all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick.

Good News Translation
He is anxious to see you all and is very upset because you had heard that he was sick.

International Standard Version
For he has been longing for all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick.

Majority Standard Bible
For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

NET Bible
Indeed, he greatly missed all of you and was distressed because you heard that he had been ill.

New Heart English Bible
since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick.

Webster's Bible Translation
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because ye had heard that he was sick.

Weymouth New Testament
I send him because he is longing to see you all and is distressed at your having heard of his illness.

World English Bible
since he longed for you all, and was very troubled because you had heard that he was sick.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
seeing he was longing after you all, and in heaviness, because you heard that he ailed,

Berean Literal Bible
since he was longing after you all and being deeply distressed because you heard that he was ill.

Young's Literal Translation
seeing he was longing after you all, and in heaviness, because ye heard that he ailed,

Smith's Literal Translation
Since he was longing for you all, and harassed because ye heard that he was sick.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For indeed he longed after you all: and was sad, for that you had heard that he was sick.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For certainly, he has desired all of you, and he was saddened because you had heard that he was sick.

New American Bible
For he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was ill.

New Revised Standard Version
for he has been longing for all of you, and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For he has been longing to see you all, and has been depressed because he knew you had heard that he had been sick.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because he was longing to see you all and he was grieved to know that you heard that he was ill.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
because he longed after you all, and was much distressed, because you had heard that he was sick.

Godbey New Testament
since he was longing after you all, and grieving, because you heard that he was sick.

Haweis New Testament
For indeed he greatly longed after you all, and was very sorry that ye had heard that he had been sick.

Mace New Testament
for he long'd to see you all, and was greatly concern'd, that you should hear he was sick, and indeed he was sick almost unto death:

Weymouth New Testament
I send him because he is longing to see you all and is distressed at your having heard of his illness.

Worrell New Testament
since he was longing after you all, and was in great distress, because ye heard that he was sick.

Worsley New Testament
for he much longed after you all, and was greatly concerned because ye had heard that he was sick.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Epaphroditus Commended
25But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs. 26For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27He 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.…

Cross References
2 Corinthians 7:7
and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more.

2 Corinthians 11:28-29
Apart from these external trials, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. / Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?

1 Thessalonians 3:6
But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.

2 Timothy 1:4
Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.

Romans 1:11
For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,

1 Corinthians 16:17-18
I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. / For they refreshed my spirit and yours as well. Show your appreciation, therefore, to such men.

2 Corinthians 2:4
For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.

2 Corinthians 7:13
On account of this, we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were even more delighted by the joy of Titus. For his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.

1 Thessalonians 2:17
Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.

2 Timothy 4:9
Make every effort to come to me quickly,

2 Timothy 4:21
Make every effort to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

Genesis 45:27-28
However, when they relayed all that Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob was revived. / “Enough!” declared Israel. “My son Joseph is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.”

1 Samuel 20:41
When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more.

1 Samuel 30:4
So David and the troops with him lifted up their voices and wept until they had no strength left to weep.

2 Samuel 13:39
And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he had been consoled over Amnon’s death.


Treasury of Scripture

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that you had heard that he had been sick.

he longed.

Philippians 1:3,8
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, …

Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

2 Samuel 13:39
And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

full.

Job 9:27
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:

Psalm 69:20
Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

Proverbs 12:25
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

ye had.

2 Samuel 24:17
And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.

John 11:35,36
Jesus wept…

Acts 21:13
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

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Philippians 2
1. Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ's humility;
12. to a careful proceeding in the way of salvation, that they be as lights to a wicked world,
16. and comforts to him their apostle, who is now ready to be offered up to God.
19. He hopes to send Timothy to them, and Epaphroditus also.














For he has been longing
The phrase "For he has been longing" speaks to a deep, heartfelt desire. The Greek word used here is "ἐπιποθέω" (epipotheō), which conveys an intense yearning or longing. This is not a casual desire but a profound emotional connection. In the context of Philippians, this longing reflects the deep bonds of Christian fellowship and love that transcend mere acquaintance. It is a reminder of the unity and affection that should characterize the body of Christ, where believers earnestly desire to be with one another, support one another, and share in each other's lives.

for all of you
The phrase "for all of you" emphasizes the inclusivity of Epaphroditus's affection. The Greek word "πάντας" (pantas) means "all," indicating that his longing is not selective or partial but extends to the entire community. This reflects the Christian principle of loving the whole body of Christ without favoritism or division. It serves as a model for believers to cultivate a love that embraces all members of the church, recognizing each one as a valuable part of the whole.

and is distressed
The word "distressed" is translated from the Greek "ἀδημονέω" (adēmoneō), which implies a state of anxiety or deep concern. This term is used in the New Testament to describe a profound emotional turmoil, similar to the distress Jesus felt in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37). Epaphroditus's distress is not for his own condition but for the concern his illness has caused others. This selfless attitude exemplifies the Christian virtue of putting others' needs and feelings above one's own, reflecting the mind of Christ as described earlier in Philippians 2.

because you heard he was ill
The phrase "because you heard he was ill" highlights the reason for Epaphroditus's distress. His concern is rooted in the knowledge that the Philippians are worried about him. This reflects a reciprocal relationship of care and concern within the Christian community. The early church was characterized by such mutual care, where the well-being of one member was the concern of all. This serves as a powerful reminder for contemporary believers to maintain a community where love and concern for one another are paramount, echoing the early church's example of shared burdens and joys.

(26) For he longed after you all. . . .--The two clauses of the verse are distinct from each other. St. Paul's first reason for sending Epaphroditus was in itself a sufficient one, that in his convalescence he yearned for home, and needed a change thither. The original is strong, because he was continually longing (see Philippians 1:8; Philippians 4:1) for you all. But besides this he was "full of heaviness," or more properly, distressed and uneasy, because of the effect which the news of his apparently fatal illness might cause at home.

Verse 26. - For he longed after you all. The verb is strengthened by the preposition: "was eagerly longing." Perhaps it should be rendered. he "is longing;" like "I count it necessary," in Ver. 25. And was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. "Full of heaviness" (ἀδημονῶν) is the word used of our blessed Lord in his agony (Matthew 26:37). Some derive it from ἄδημος, he away from home; others, more probably, from ἄδην, in the sense of loathing, weariness, satiety. The word implies heart-sickness, restless; unsatisfied weariness, produced by some overwhelming distress.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
ἐπειδὴ (epeidē)
Conjunction
Strong's 1894: Of time: when, now, after that; of cause: seeing that, forasmuch as. From epei and de; since now, i.e. when, or whereas.

he has been
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

longing for
ἐπιποθῶν (epipothōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1971: From epi and potheo; to dote upon, i.e. Intensely crave possession.

all
πάντας (pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

of you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

is distressed
ἀδημονῶν (adēmonōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 85: To feel fear, lack courage, be distressed, troubled. From a derivative of adeo; to be in distress.

because
διότι (dioti)
Conjunction
Strong's 1360: On this account, because, for. From dia and hoti; on the very account that, or inasmuch as.

you heard
ἠκούσατε (ēkousate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

he was ill.
ἠσθένησεν (ēsthenēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 770: To be weak (physically: then morally), To be sick. From asthenes; to be feeble.


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NT Letters: Philippians 2:26 Since he longed for you all (Philipp. Phil. Php.)
Philippians 2:25
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