John Calvin Commentary Philippians 2:30

"because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me." — Philippians 2:30 (ASV)

Because for the work of Christ. I consider this as referring to the illness which he had brought upon himself by relentless effort. Therefore, he counts the illness of Epaphroditus among his merits, as it certainly was a clear sign of his fervent zeal. Sickness, indeed, is not a merit in itself, but it is a merit not to spare yourself so that you may serve Christ.

Epaphroditus felt that his health would be in danger if he worked excessively; yet he would rather be neglectful of his health than be lacking in his duty. And so that he might commend this conduct all the more to the Philippians, he says that it was a filling up of their deficiency, because, being located at a distance, they could not provide aid to Paul at Rome.

Therefore, Epaphroditus, having been sent for this purpose, acted in their place. He speaks of the services rendered to him as the work of the Lord, as certainly there is nothing in which we can better serve God than when we help His servants who labor for the truth of the gospel.