“I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.”
I am the more eager to send him, therefore, so that you may rejoice at seeing him, and that I may be less anxious — the return to eagerness (prothumos, willing, ready) shows Paul's recovery of hope. Rejoicing at Epaphroditus's return is mutual gift: his restoration to them is their gain. Paul's reduced anxiety is not selfish but relational: their joy is his peace. The letter's theme again: unity is joy.
Church Fathers on Philippians 2:28
“I have sent him therefore the more diligently.” What means “more diligently”? It is, without procrastination, without delay, with much speed, having bidden him lay all aside, and to go to you, that he might be freed from heaviness; for we rejoice not on hearing of the health of those we love, so much as when we see them, and chiefly so when this happens contrary to hope, as it was in the case of Epaphroditus. “I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that when you see…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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