Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow — the gravity is unvarnished: death threatened. God's eleos (mercy, compassion) is the sole explanation of recovery. Paul's inclusion ('not only... also on me') shows how their interdependence means their suffering is mutual. 'Sorrow upon sorrow' (lypē epi lypē) would compound Paul's grief at imprisonment with grief at Epaphroditus's death. God's mercy preserves Paul from double devastation. Providence protects the community's bonds.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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