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and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. (Philippians 2:24)

Paul had confidence that all was going to turn out well and was convinced that he would be able to come to see the Philippian believers again. The assurance apparently came from his communion and assurance in Christ.

Tradition says that Paul was released from prison and continued his ministry, albeit Scripture does not record this. During this time, he possibly fulfilled his desire to see the Philippian believers before being arrested for the second time. When the Christians were persecuted under Nero, Paul, a leader, was brought back and executed. He died by decapitation according to tradition and was possibly buried in the subterranean labyrinths below Rome.^[1]

We know that there was no certainty for Paul as to whether he would be condemned or acquitted (1:22–23), so he places his trust “in the Lord” and believes that he will see the brothers again in Philippi. There is a twinge of uncertainty here and there throughout the letter (cf. 1:20–26; 2:19), which exists here as well. The only certainty that truly exists lies in the hands of the Lord, not what Paul may desire. It is as though he is saying what many Christians have said, ‘if the Lord is willing.’ He knows that if he is acquitted, it will only take place by the Lord stepping in and giving him that outcome. The latter expression, “I myself also will be coming shortly,” gives us Paul’s desire, which is predicated on the Lord. If Paul is condemned, he will send Timothy to Philippi in his place. If he was acquitted and released from his imprisonment, Paul could send Timothy ahead, or they could go together.

With his uncertain future, Paul expected and hoped that he would be released from prison to go and see the brothers at Philippi. He simply put his trust in the Lord, not in the legal system of Rome.[2] – cf. 1:6, 25–26.

[1] Merrill F. Unger, Unger’s Bible Dictionary (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1966). Pages 837-838.

[2] Putting one’s trust in God does not negate taking advantage of legal avenues within the legal system of a government. God does not expect us to sit around and wait for him to resolve our prayers, but rather, he expects us to work on behalf of our prayers.