Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philippians 2:28

"I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful." — Philippians 2:28 (ASV)

The expression “I have sent” refers to his present sending of Epaphroditus with this letter (by the time they receive the letter, the “sending” will be past). In view of the circumstances noted above, Paul was sending him more hastily than he would otherwise have done. If the serious illness and the apparent misunderstanding at Philippi had not occurred, Paul might have retained him longer, perhaps till the end of the trial. It was important, then, that this letter should accompany Epaphroditus, so that the Philippians would rejoice at his safe return. The return of the messenger to the church, along with the true explanation of what had happened, should bring a happy conclusion to the whole affair and satisfy both them and Epaphroditus himself. At the same time, Paul himself would benefit by being relieved from further anxiety, for knowing that his friends were relieved always brought a lessening of his painful concern over problems in the churches (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:28).