Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
I supposed—"I thought it necessary."
to send—It was properly a sending Epaphroditus back (Philippians 4:18). But as he had come intending to stay some time with Paul, the latter uses the word "send" (compare Philippians 2:30).
fellow soldier—in the "good fight" of faith (Philippians 1:27, Philippians 1:30; II Timothy 2:3; II Timothy 4:7).
your messenger—literally, "apostle." The "apostles" or "messengers of the churches" (Romans 16:7; II Corinthians 8:23), were distinct from the "apostles" specially commissioned by Christ, as the Twelve and Paul.
ministered to my wants—by conveying the contributions from Philippi. The Greek "leitourgon," literally, implies ministering in the ministerial office. Probably Epaphroditus was a presbyter or else a deacon.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Philippians 2:25:
2 Corinthians 8:23
Philippians 2:19
Colossians 4:10
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