Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philippians 2:19

"But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state." — Philippians 2:19 (ASV)

The somber note sounded in the previous two verses is balanced by the more optimistic tone that follows. Paul planned to send Timothy to Philippi with a report and hoped to come shortly himself. His hope was “in the Lord Jesus.” Every believer is “in Christ,” and this vital union should influence every thought and activity. Thus Paul loves in the Lord (1:8); grounds his confidence in the Lord (2:24); rejoices in the Lord (3:3; 4:10); and desires that others rejoice in Christ (1:26; 3:1), welcome Christian leaders in the Lord (2:29), and always stand firm in the Lord (4:1). It may be that Paul was uncertain of the outcome of his case at Rome and therefore the more obviously submitted all his plans and hopes to the lordship of Jesus.

Paul refers to Timothy, named in the opening of the letter, and to his proposed trip to Philippi with graciousness and delicacy. One might suppose that Paul would have explained that the purpose of the trip was to tell the Philippians about his situation. But he only hints at that idea by the word “also” (and by the clause “as soon as I see how things go with me” in v.23), because his main goal is to hear about them. The spiritual advancement of the churches was always uppermost to Paul.

Paul apparently expected Timothy not to remain at Philippi but to bring him word about the church immediately. Conceivably, they could have planned to meet at Ephesus after Paul’s release. At least, they seem to have met together at Ephesus subsequent to this time (1 Timothy 1:3). This would require that before leaving for Philippi, Timothy knew with certainty the date of Paul’s release. Otherwise, Timothy would have been expected to return to Paul at Rome before he left the city.