Philippians 2 · Verse 19

Philippians 2:19

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 2:19, King James Version

Philippians 2:19 in other translations

BSBNow I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing.
WEBBut I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.
ASVBut I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
YLTAnd I hope, in the Lord Jesus, Timotheus to send quickly to you, that I also may be of good spirit, having known the things concerning you,
DARBYBut I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus to you shortly, that I also may be refreshed, knowing how ye get on.
BBEBut I am hoping in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you before long, so that I may be comforted when I have news of you.
WebsterBut I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

What does Philippians 2:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19. Php 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 the history (Ac 16:1-4; 17:10, 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 Epistle and history, a mark of genuineness [Paley]. From Php 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 Epistle; 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 (Php 1:28-30); and 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 (Greek) in the Lord (that is, by the Lord's help)" unto you--literally, "for you," that is, to your satisfaction, not merely motion, to you. I also--that not only you "may be of good courage" (so Greek) on hearing of me (Php 2:23), but "I also, when I know your state."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 19. But I trust in the Lord Jesus. His hope was that the Lord Jesus would so order affairs as to permit this--an expression that no man could use who did not regard the Lord Jesus as on the throne, and as more than human.

To send Timotheus shortly unto you. There was a special reason why Paul desired to send Timothy to them rather than another person, which he himself states, Php 2:22, "Ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel." From this passage, as well as from Php 1:1, where Timothy is joined with Paul in the salutation, it is evident that he had been with the apostle at Philippi. But this fact is nowhere mentioned in the sixteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles,which contains an account of the visit of Paul to that place. The narrative in the Acts, however, as Dr. Paley has re- marked, Horae Paulinae, in loc., is such as to render this altogether probable; and the manner in which the fact is adverted to here is such as would have occurred to no one forging an epistle like this, and shows that the Acts of the Apostles and the epistle are independent books, and are not the work of imposture. In the Acts of the Apostles it is said that when Paul came to Derbe and Lystra he found a certain disciple named Timothy, whom he would have go forth with him, Acts 16:1-3. The narrative then proceeds with an account of the progress of Paul through various provinces of Asia Minor, till it brings him to Troas. There he was warned in a vision to go over into Macedonia. In pursuance of this call, he passed over the AEgean Sea, came to Samothracia, and thence to Neapolis, and thence to Philippi. No mention is made, indeed, of Timothy as being with Paul at Philippi; but after he had left that city, and had gone to Berea, where the "brethren sent away Paul," it is added, "but Silas and Timotheus abode there still." From this it is evident that he had accompanied them in their journey, and had no doubt been with them at Philippi. For the argument which Dr. Paley has derived from the manner in which this subject is mentioned in the Acts, and in this epistle, in favour of the genuineness of the Scripture account, see Horae Paul on the epistle to the Philippians, No. iv.

When I know your state. It was a considerable time since Epaphroditus had left the Philippians, and since, therefore, Paul had been informed of their condition.

(1) "But I trust" "Moreover" (a) "Timotheus" 1Thes 3:2 (*) "state" "affairs"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus - He is governor and disposer of all events, being above all principality and power; and I humbly confide in his power and goodness that I shall be a little longer spared to visit you again, Phi 2:24, and to be able to send Timothy shortly to you. When I know your state - By the correct information which I shall receive from Timothy.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 2:19-30
It is best with us, when our duty becomes natural to us. Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only; with a willing heart and upright views. We are apt to prefer our own credit, ease, and safety, before truth, holiness, and duty; but Timothy did not so. Paul desired liberty, not that he might take pleasure, but that he might do good. Epaphroditus was willing to go to the Philippians, that he might be comforted with those who had sorrowed for him when he was sick. It seems, his illness was caused by the work of God. The apostle urges them to love him the more on that account. It is doubly pleasant to have our mercies restored by God, after great danger of their removal; and this should make them more valued. What is given in answer to prayer, should be received with great thankfulness and joy.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Philippians 2:19 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἘλπίζωElpizōI hopeG1679
δὲdehoweverG1161
ἐνeninG1722
κυρίῳkuriō[the] LordG2962
ἸησοῦIēsouJesusG2424
ΤιμόθεονTimotheonTimothyG5095
ταχέωςtacheōssoonG5030
πέμψαιpempsaito sendG3992
ὑμῖν,huminto you,G4771
ἵναinathatG2443
κἀγὼkagōI myself alsoG1473
εὐψυχῶeupsuchōmay be encouragedG2174
γνοὺςgnoushaving knownG1097
τὰtathe [things]G3588
περὶpericoncerningG4012
ὑμῶν·humōnyou;G4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philippians 2:19

  • 1 Corinthians 4:17

    For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8

    But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:2

    And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

  • Philippians 1:1

    Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

  • Philemon 1:5-7

    Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

  • Philippians 2:23-25

    Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

  • Philippians 2:28

    I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

  • Colossians 4:8-9

    Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

  • 3 John 1:3-4

    For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

  • Romans 16:21

    Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

  • Matthew 12:21

    And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

  • Jeremiah 17:5

    Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
But. or, Moreover.
24; Jer 17:5; Mt 12:21; Ro 15:12; Eph 1:13; 2Ti 1:12; *marg:
Jas 4:15; 1Pe 1:21
to send.
23,25; 1:1; Ro 16:21; 1Co 4:17; Eph 6:21,22; Col 4:8,9; 1Th 3:2,6
that I.
28; 1Th 3:6-8; 2Th 1:3; Phm 1:5-7; 3Jo 1:3,4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philippians 2:18

    For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

  • Philippians 2:19

    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 2:20

    For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

Read all of Philippians 2

Philippians 2:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas espero en el Señor Jesús enviaros presto á Timoteo, para que yo también esté de buen ánimo, entendido vuestro estado.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or j’espère dans le seigneur Jésus vous envoyer bientôt Timothée, afin que moi aussi j’aie bon courage quand j’aurai connu l’état de vos affaires;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich hoffe aber in dem Herrn Jesus, Timotheus bald zu euch zu senden, auf daß auch ich gutes Mutes sei, wenn ich eure Umstände weiß.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Spero autem in Domino Jesu, Timotheum me cito mittere ad vos: ut et ego bono animo sim, cognitis quæ circa vos sunt.