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But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I know the things concerning you. (Philippians 2:19)

Timothy was with Paul and Silas when they planted the church at Philippi. He had also preceded Paul from Ephesus before his second known visit. (1 Cor. 16:10) So, the believers at Philippi knew him well.

Paul speaking of hoping in the Lord expresses confidence, a trust in what he is saying – based upon what he had discerned from his Lord. Paul uses the Greek word elpizo based on the noun form elpis frequently in his writings to express this confidence, this expectation that God will do what He has said.^[1] The biblical concept of hope does not carry any doubt but is completely confident in the One who is able to do what he has promised. Hope is not placed upon the object but upon the One who establishes that object.^[2]

Paul was sending Timothy to be a channel of blessing to the Philippian believers and bring back a report of their present condition. Paul is facing possible execution in Rome, yet he is concerned about the welfare and benefit of these believers in Philippi. Paul looked upon, was concerned about the things, state, the condition of life or welfare of others, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, even as was the Lord.^[3]

Paul speaks of being encouraged, literally good souled from the Greek word eupsucheo,^[4] and carries the meaning of being cheered up. In other words, he was telling the Philippians that he was looking for a good report of their situation when Timothy returned.

More in-depth Insights

To send Timothy to you shortly. There were excellent reasons why Paul wanted to send Timothy instead of any other person. 1:1 says, “Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and servants:” This makes it evident that Timothy had been with the Paul at Philippi. 2:22 says, “But you know his proven character because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a child with a father.” Timothy was being trained from early manhood by Paul to replace Paul when he was martyred, carrying for the congregations throughout the Roman Empire.

[1] W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996). Page 311.

[2] Consider Hebrews 11:1 (HCSB) where the writer says, “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” Faith is the reality of this confident expectation – this assurance of what we know as delivered by God in His Word.

[3] See also, Matthew 9:35; 1 Corinthians 13:5; and Philippians 2:4. Albert Garner, The Prison Epistles (Verse by Verse) (Lakeland, Florida: The Blessed Hope Foundation, 1977). Page 159.

[4] From eu for well, and psuche for soul. The concept of being well in one’s soul. W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996). Page 111.