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Therefore I am sending him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and that I may be less anxious. (Philippians 2:28)

Because they are concerned about Epaphroditus, Paul is very eager to send him back to them, generally sooner than he would have. He knew that if their concern and sorrow were alleviated, it would also ease the fears and worry that he held for the welfare of the Philippian believers.^[1]

Therefore I am sending him all the more eagerly. With more attentiveness or quickness, Paul was well prepared to send him.

So that when you see him again you may rejoice and that I may be less anxious. That is, on account of my attentiveness, concern, kindness for the Philippians; that I may know that their mental distress is at ease and that they rejoice in Epaphroditus being among you.

Epaphroditus’ return to Philippi was not to be at this time; he had planned to stay far longer and care for Paul. Now, Paul is all the more eager to send him not because of any wrongdoing on his part. Paul is just sending him sooner than was anticipated. Epaphroditus was likely going to stay with Paul throughout the entirety of his trial, and if acquitted, he would journey back to Philippi with Paul, bringing joy to the brothers back home. But after the severe illness Epaphroditus, the worrying about the trial, and the wellbeing of Epaphroditus, he could send him home early and alleviate one of his worries. Another worry would be his worry for the church in Phillip and their distress over Epaphroditus and not fully knowing that he had literally almost given his life for Paul. Now that he was well again, he could carry this letter home and care for his congregation once more.

[1] W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996). Page 588.