Philippians 2:27

“for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that. might not have sorrow upon sorrow”

“He was sick nigh unto death”: “He had. sickness which brought him almost to death” (Con). “I can assure you that his illness very nearly proved fatal” (TCNT). “God had mercy on Him”: He had recovered.

“Here is an interesting question: since Paul had miraculous powers, why did he not just heal the brother and be done with the matter? Because spiritual gifts were not employed in that manner” (Jackson p. 58). Other verses also point out that the spiritual gifts had. higher purpose than mere personal benefit (1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20). Notice nothing is said that this healing was miraculously accomplished, rather God can also heal through His providential workings as well. “That. might not have sorrow upon sorrow”: “Sorrow coming upon sorrow, as wave after wave” (Vincent p. 441). “The sorrow of losing him to add to my sufferings” (Phi).