Him therefore I hope to send immediately, as soon as I shall see how it goes with me
Paul is waiting for the verdict of his trial. He tells the Philippians that Timothy will come to them as soon as he knows the outcome. It is a plan with no date on it, made by a man who does not know whether he will live.
Older versions read "I hope to send him presently." Today that sounds vague. The word is stronger than that:
In Matthew 21:19 and Philippians 2:23 the words should be translated "immediately," as elsewhere.
A close rendering of the whole sentence keeps both halves in view — the immediacy, and the condition attached to it:
"This one, therefore, on the one hand, I am hoping to send immediately, as soon as I may see the things relating to me."
What Paul had to "see" was the outcome of his trial. Only then would he send Timothy:
Timothy was marked by the lowly mind of Christ. So Paul could use him in the care of the saints. He hoped to send him to the Philippian assembly as soon as he knew how his trial would end.
The plan had two stages:
The apostle clearly meant to send Timothy to Philippi as soon as the trial was over. He would stay in Italy himself until Timothy came back with a report on how they were doing.
Two things stand side by side here: what Paul expects, and what he trusts. One writer marks the difference:
He bases his expectation on his circumstances, while he rests his trust in God. His case could not stay undecided for long, he thought. Once he knew the worst or the best, he would send off his trusted and beloved messenger… His enemies, who opposed him for the truth's sake, were strong. They seemed to hold his life in their hands. But the Lord he trusted was mightier than they were.
Paul expected to stay with them, yet he still spoke of waiting to see. One writer holds both together:
He had the impression from the Lord that he was going to stay, even though he did say he would "see how it will go with me"… He wanted to know Christ so much that he would rather go through even a violent death. But it was better for the saints that he should stay with them.
Sending Timothy cost Paul something. He was giving away a man dear to him, at a time when others were looking after themselves:
Sadly, even then all were seeking their own things, not the things of Jesus Christ… Whatever it cost him, he would send one so dear to him and to them, once he could report how matters stood.
Two verses earlier Paul said that everyone seeks their own things, not the things of Jesus Christ. Now he speaks of his own affairs. Willis keeps the two apart without setting them against each other:
We must notice the difference between the "things of Christ Jesus" (verse 21) and the "things that relate to me" (verse 23)… But the things relating to Paul also matter to Paul, and to those who loved him. They take nothing away from wholehearted devotion to the things of Christ Jesus.
Paul timed his two messengers by what the Philippians needed:
You see, he could say he would send Timothy soon. It was not so with Epaphroditus — he had to send him at once. They had heard that Epaphroditus had been sick, and they were sad. So the apostle takes care to end that sorrow by sending him to them.
- Without delay. The word behind "just as soon" means "at once." Paul is not putting Timothy off. He is timing him.
- The verdict. He waited to "see" the end of his trial. Then Timothy could go, and come back with news of the Philippians.
- Two footings. His expectation rested on his circumstances. His trust rested on God, who was stronger than the men who seemed to hold his life.
- The cost. Sending Timothy cost Paul a friend who was dear to him. Love gives away what it most wants to keep.
- His things and Christ's. Paul can speak of his own affairs and still put the things of Jesus Christ first. And when the Philippians were troubled, he sent Epaphroditus at once while Timothy waited.
but I trust in [the] Lord that I myself also shall soon come;
Commentary for this verse has not been generated yet.