Philippians 2:19

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Philippians 2:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But 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.
Philippians 2:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Philippians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19But 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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But I trust in the Lord Jesus, etc.] Or “hope”; not in himself, his wisdom, will, resolutions, and purposes; nor in an arm of flesh, in any human aid and power; nor in princes, nor in Nero, the Roman emperor, as expecting a release from bonds by him, when he could the more easily part with Timothy; but in the Lord Jesus, in the Lord whom every tongue shall confess to be so; and in that Jesus, in whose name every knee shall bow; who is King of kings, and Lord of lords, and the only Saviour and Deliverer of his people; who has the hearts of all men in his hands, and all power in heaven and in earth: he hoped and trusted, that through the goodness and power of Christ, opening a way for him, he…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“phi 2:19Phi 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 (Act 16:1-4; Act 17:10, Act 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 Epistle and history, a mark of genuineness [PALEY]. From Phi 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…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 that human. To send Timotheus shortly unto you - There was a special reason why Paul desired to send Timothy to them rather than any other person, which he himself states, Philippians 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 Philippians 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…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“When I know - Upon my return, that ye stand steadfast. Philippians 2:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:19-24 Paul commends Timothy, whom he hopes to send to the Philippians in the near future. Timothy had accompanied Paul on his first trip to Philippi (see Acts 16:1-3, 12; 17:15; 18:5; cp. Acts 19:22). Timothy stood out as a person whose whole life was sacrificially devoted to what matters to Jesus Christ and to the welfare of his people.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“But: or, Moreover, Phi 2:24; Jer 17:5; Mat 12:21; Rom 15:12; Eph 1:13; Ti2 1:12 \*marg. Jam 4:15; Pe1 1:21 to send: Phi 2:23, Phi 2:25, Phi 1:1; Rom 16:21; Co1 4:17; Eph 6:21, Eph 6:22; Col 4:8, Col 4:9; Th1 3:2, Th1 3:6 that I: Phi 2:28; Th1 3:6-8; Th2 1:3; Plm 1:5-7; Jo3 1:3, Jo3 1:4 Philippians 2:20”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification