John Bengel Commentary - Philippians 2:30 - 2:30

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John Bengel Commentary - Philippians 2:30 - 2:30


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Php 2:30. Μέχρι θανάτου, even unto death) This appertains to the comparison of duties [to the question of the prior claim among comparative duties]. To minister to Paul, seems in itself to be a matter of somewhat less importance than the danger to the life of Epaphroditus, who however most rightly purchased by this disadvantage [the danger to his life] that important benefit [the glad reception at Philippi, Php 2:29, and the love and prayers of Paul, Php 2:27-28]: 2Ti 1:16-17.-ἤγγισε, drew nigh) Epaphroditus, when setting out from Philippi, does not seem to have been aware that he would become sick; but yet, inasmuch as he undertook the arduous journey, not shrinking back through fear of whatever might happen to him either from the enemies of Paul or from any other cause, the sickness, although unforeseen, is attributed to him as if it were undergone out of kindness to Paul.-παραβουλευσάμενος τῇ ψυχῇ) τῇ ψυχῇ, the dative. Hesychius: παραβουλευσάμενος, εἰς θάνατον ἑαυτὸν ἐκδούς, exposing one’s self to death. παραβουλεύομαι properly signifies, I take counsel, or rather, I form a design contrary to my interests. It is a Paronomasia [the signification of a word changed by a slight alteration of letters] on the word παραβάλλομαι, I rashly dare, I cast myself recklessly into danger, which the apostle seems to have skilfully avoided, comp. Php 3:2, at the end, note.-τὸ ὑμῶν ὑστέρημα, your deficiency [Engl. V. lack of service]) This deficiency existed not so much in the estimate of Paul, as in the feeling of the Philippians themselves, on account of the love which they bore to him, ch. Php 4:10-11.

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