Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
I supposed - `I thought it necessary.' I supposed - `I thought it necessary.'
To send. It was properly a sending Epaphroditus back (Philippians 4:18); but as he came to stay some time with Paul, the word is "send" (cf. Philippians 2:30).
Fellow-soldier - in the "good fight" (Philippians 1:27; Philippians 1:30; 2 Timothy 2:3; 2 Timothy 4:7). 'My brother in the faith, fellow-worker in preaching it, and fellow-soldier in maintain it' (Ellicott).
Your messenger - literally, 'apostle.' The "apostles," or "messengers of the churches" (Romans 16:7; 2 Corinthians 8:23) were distinct from the "apostles" commissioned by Christ, as the twelve and Paul.
Ministered to my wants - by conveying the contributions from Philippi. х Leitourgon (G3011) generally implies the ministerial office, but here it has the wider sense.]