Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

a manner of speaking, he risked his life (Dramatic Aorist tense) when he left Philippi to go to
Rome (Latin: traded his mortality). He could have met any number of catastrophes along the
way, from inclement weather to bandits. He didn’t have a cell phone by which he could call 911
should some misfortune befall him along the way. He took the risk so that he might complete
(Dramatic Aorist tense) the mission entrusted to him by his congregation – to provide money and
a measure of social life (service) for the Apostle Paul while he was in prison.
Paul did not have anything negative in mind by their “lack” of service; what he meant was their
support would be incomplete until Epaphroditus actually made it to Rome. He needed someone
of like mind to talk to, perhaps even to “howl at the moon” a bit - to celebrate another day of
living, even if in prison. The Philippians could not provide this company from hundreds of miles
away. There’s also an interesting interpretation of this verse by R. Gromacki. Essentially, the
financial gift provided by the Philippians was not enough to meet Paul’s needs (the “lack”), so
Epaphroditus worked in Rome to make more money for Paul. He literally worked himself to
death, or just short of death.
REVELANT OPINIONS
As stated by P.T. O'Brien: "The λειτoυργια includes the gift of money that he brought, which the
Philippians did render. But the personal ministrations rendered by him to Paul in Rome are also
included here (i.e. the "completion")", and "these could not be rendered by the readers in person."
(F.F. Bruce) Another of Paul's "needs" was for companionship and soul rapport while in prison.
Only Epaphroditus was able to complete (or fulfill) this last need of Paul's (unfinished business)
because of his spiritual maturity. Nobody else in their assemblies could fulfill this unique position,
this λειτoυργια. (R.B. Thieme, Jr.) The expression is complimentary and affectionate, to the effect
that all that was wanting in the matter of their service was their ministration in person, which was
supplied by Epaphroditus. (M. Vincent)
In what was their service towards the Apostle lacking? Evidently in nothing save their own personal
presence and personal care of him. (W.R. Nicoll) His illness was caused by over-exertion in
attending to the apostle’s wants, or it may be by the hardships of the journey. (B. Caffin) He offered
substitute service. Epaphroditus was aware that the gift of the church was not enough to meet the
apostle’s needs, so he worked to earn money. The more he worked, the weaker he grew. He tried to
make up that difference between the actual amount of the gift and the needed total. We know the
lack was not created by a deliberate attempt to withhold funds, for the church was later applauded
for its generosity. (R. Gromacki)
Philp. 2:30 Because (causal) due to the work (Acc. Dir. Obj.;
business) of Christ (Descr. Gen.), he came close (evggi,zw, AAI3S,
Ingressive) to the point (Gen. Measure) of death (Obj. Gen.), when
he recklessly exposed (paraboleu,omai, AMPtc.NSM, Dramatic, Temporal,
Depoonent; risked, a gambling term) his own (Dat. Poss.) life
(Dat. Ind. Obj.; soul), in order that (purpose) he might bring to
completion (avnaplhro,w, AASubj.3S, Dramatic, Result) your (Gen.