But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
Philippians 2:22, "Ye know the proof of him, that ... he hath served with me," implies that Timothy had been long with Paul at Philippi. Accordingly, in Acts 16:1-4; Acts 17:10; Acts 17:14, we find them setting out together from Derbe in Lycaonia, and together again at Berea in Macedonia, near the conclusion of Paul's missionary journey: an undesigned coincidence between the letter and history: a mark of genuineness (Paley). From Philippians 2:19-30, it appears Epaphroditus was to set out at once to allay the anxiety of the Philippians on his account, and at the same time bearing the letter: Timothy was to follow after the apostle's liberation was decided, when they could arrange their plans more definitely as to where Timothy should, on his return with tidings from Philippi, meet Paul, who was designing by a wider circuit and slower progress to reach that city. Paul's reason for sending Timothy so soon after having heard of the Philippians from Epaphroditus was that they were now suffering persecutions (Philippians 1:28-30); besides, Epaphroditus' delay through sickness on his journey to Rome from Philippi made the tidings he brought to be of less recent date than Paul desired. Paul himself also hoped to visit them shortly.
But I trust - Yet my death is by no means certain; yea, 'I hope (my hope centers) in the Lord.'
Unto you, [not pros (G4314) humas (G5209), but humin (G5213)] - 'for you;' to your satisfaction.
I also - that not only you 'may be of good courage' х eupsuchoo (G2174)] on hearing of me (Philippians 2:23), but 'I also, when I know your state.'