In this verse Paul mentions two reasons why he sends Epaphroditus back. The first reason is that Epaphroditus himself has a strong longing for his church. The second reason is that Epaphroditus is distressed, because he knows that the Philippians have heard that he was ill. For the concern of Epaphroditus, Paul uses a strong term in the Greek, with which he indicates how intensely distressed Epaphroditus is.
26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.