‘But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be of good comfort (literally ‘well in soul'), when I know your state (literally ‘having known the things concerning you').'
Paul was aware of how circumstances at that time were constantly changing, and speaks therefore rather of a ‘hope' than a certainty, for it would depend on the intention of the Lord Jesus (‘I hope in the Lord Jesus'; compare 1 Corinthians 4:19, ‘I will come to you shortly if the Lord wills'). It reveals his uncertainty about what was coming next. Nevertheless he is intent on sending Timothy if at all possible because he is concerned to know their spiritual state, so that he will be comforted (made well in soul). As he sat in prison, Paul still had on him ‘the care of all the churches', and at that time his great concern was for Philippi because he had learned of the disagreements among them, partly as a result of strong personalities in the church (Philippians 4:2) (compare Diotrephes in 3 John 1:9)..