Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death; by reason he was so zealous about the work of the ministry in the general, or in special to carry on that service, as the church's messenger, he was intrusted with, Philippians 4:18, not only in conveying their benevolence on so long and hazardous a journey, for the relief of the Lord's prisoner, which Christ would own and reward as his work, Matthew 25:39,40, but in attending him (whom he was sent to visit) in his confinement, both within doors and abroad, as occasion required, (for it seems the Romans were so generous as to give free egress and regress to his visitants, Acts 28:30), whereby he contracted that forementioned disease that hazarded his life. Not regarding his life; the preservation of which with respect to the work he was about, he did not consult, \1 Thessalonians 12:25,26\ but made little account of it, \as Esther 4:16\ yea, did even despise it in the service of Christ, as the original word doth import, being borrowed from those whose lives are hazarded in being cast to be devoured by beasts in the theatre, which he himself, by sad experience, sometime knew the meaning of, 1 Corinthians 15:32. To supply your lack of service toward me; so faithful was he to his trust for the honour of his Lord, that to the very utmost of his strength, yea, and beyond it, that which he reckoned those who sent would have done themselves had they been present, (considering what the gospel requires, Galatians 6:2 Hebrews 13:3), that he, Onisephorus-like, 2 Timothy 1:16, according to his measure made supply of in their absence.
Related Commentaries of Philippians 2:30
Philippians 2:30
30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.