Philippians 2:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When I see what outcome my affairs will have, I shall send him at once, that is, immediately.

Therefore I shall send him to you when I am able to be assured concerning myself, that is, as soon as I see what will happen to me.

Here also the Apostle announces his coming without certainty, placing it in dependence upon the providence of God. It is clear that he has not yet completely escaped the first danger. He indicates this by saying, "when I know the things concerning me," that is, if my affliction comes completely to an end.

"When I know the things concerning me." This clearly indicates that Paul's trial was approaching its end, since he accompanies it with confidence that he himself would soon come to them. This may have been toward the end of the Apostle's two-year stay in Rome.

Although the Apostle fully hoped for his release from bonds and even counted on "coming soon himself to the Philippians," he nevertheless decided to wait with Timothy's mission until it would be possible to send with him something certainly consoling. Therefore he writes: "I hope to send him," that is, Timothy, "at once, as soon as I know what will happen to me. I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come soon to you."

Showing the fullness of his care for the Philippians, the Apostle tells them of his intention to send the Apostle Timothy to them. To awaken complete trust in him, he speaks of Timothy's entire devotion to the cause of Christianity, free from all self-interest, by which many false teachers were marked. The Apostle wished to send him, on the one hand, to learn the condition of the Philippians. On the other hand, he wished Timothy to be comforted by their progress, and at the same time to inform them of his own condition. This condition was evidently to change for the better. After that, he intended first to send Timothy, and then to go himself. From this the Philippians were to understand that the Apostle was not in a hopeless state. In all this, St.

The thought of possible death in bonds, or at least of their possible continuation, moves the Apostle to care for the spiritual good of the Philippians through someone else. The Apostle's choice rests on Timothy, who in character was very much like the Apostle, ΐαόψυχον. Therefore he could most suitably replace the Apostle Paul where Paul himself could not be present. All the others, who by bodily and spiritual qualities could have taken upon themselves the duty of envoy, lacked sufficient devotion to the work of Christ. They did not wish to obey the Apostle in everything as submissive children. The Apostle, however, will send Timothy only when he receives definite information about his own case. For he continues to hope for a speedy personal meeting with the Philippians. In that case Timothy's mission would, of course, prove unnecessary.

"Him, therefore, I hope to send." He bears witness to his exceeding love for the Philippians and honors them by sending Timothy (see Saint Chrysostom). "When I know the things concerning me" means "when I see what condition I am in and what end my affairs will have" (Saint Chrysostom). "It is clear that he has not yet completely escaped the first danger" (blessed Theodoret). "I am waiting," he says, "for what decision concerning me will be pronounced in court" (Saint John of Damascus). Yet it is evident that he expected a favorable outcome of the matter. Therefore he added...