Philippians 2:24

But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(24) But I trust . . .—Compare Philemon 1:22, “Prepare me a lodging, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you,” where the expectation seems even more immediate. The interval between the Letters is unknown. The received belief of St. Paul’s release, and subsequent re-imprisonment (resting on unvarying tradition, and on the evidence of the Pastoral Epistles), supposes this expectation to have been fulfilled in due time.

In the Lord.—So above, Philippians 2:19. The expression, connected in both cases with matters of practical life and even of detail, is one which (like “the bowels of Jesus Christ” in Philippians 1:8) belongs to the consciousness of a life so absorbed in Christ, that it cannot think or live in hope except “in the Lord.” But it carries with it, perhaps, also the idea suggested by St. James (James 4:15) “If the Lord will, we shall do this or that.” Just so far as a hope or prayer is really “in the Lord,” it will be accordant with the Divine will, and will therefore be realised.

Philippians 2:25-30 contain the immediate mission and commendation of Epaphroditus, who had been sent from Philippi with supplies, had fallen sick, and now in convalescence was longing for home, and fearful lest the report of his sickness should cause them anxiety.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But I trust in the Lord ... - note, Philippians 1:25.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

24. also myself—as well as Timothy.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

But I trust in the Lord; so he expresseth his strong persuasion, as the word we translate trust, being seldom used, but when the thing trusted imports the object.

In the Lord; i.e. Jesus, whom he doth absolutely and eminently call Lord, being so highly exalted above all others, Philippians 2:9, not only here, but elsewhere, Philippians 2:29 3:1 4:1,4,10; on whom he doth wholly depend, aud to whom he doth submit for the issue.

That I also myself shall come shortly: before he had suggested his persuasion of abiding with them, Philippians 1:25, and here, that he might satisfy them he had not changed his mind, he adds for their comfort, that they might not be discouraged in their sufferings, what apprehensions he had, after a while, of being set at liberty (if God pleased); and if so, he would have them conceive, soon after he had done what was necessary at Rome, (for him who had care of all the churches), he designed to follow Timothy to them.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But I trust in the Lord,.... The Syriac version reads, "in my Lord":

that I also myself shall come shortly: this he adds, partly to let them see, that he still retained a secret hope and persuasion in his own mind of a deliverance, though he could not be certain of it, how things would go with him; and partly, that he might not be thought to put them off with sending Timothy to them; for notwithstanding that, his intention still was, should he be released, to pay them a visit himself. The Alexandrian copy adds, "to you": so the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions.

Geneva Study Bible

But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

Php 2:24. Καὶ αὐτός] also myself personally. What Paul shall see, therefore, is, as he confidently trusts (not merely hopes), his liberation (comp. Php 1:25 f.); that it will make it possible for him to come soon.[139] The terminus a quo of the ταχέως is, as in Php 2:19, the then present time, although the sending of Timothy and his return (Php 2:19) are to precede his own coming. The ταχέως as a relative definition of the time is not opposed to this view. But that καὶ αὐτός includes also the case of his coming at the same time with Timothy (Hofmann), is, according to Php 2:19 ff., not to be assumed.

[139] How could this confidence, which the result did not justify, have been put by any later author into the apostle’s mouth? Only Paul himself could have written in such a way as here and in Php 1:25 f. See, in opposition to Hinsch, Hilgenfeld, 1873, p. 185 f.

Expositor's Greek Testament

Php 2:24. ἐν Κυρίῳ. See on Php 2:19. Every mood of Paul’s inner life he desires to regulate by the mind and will of Christ.—ὅτι. “When an action is to be produced, πείθειν takes the infinitive, when belief, ὅτι (of objective knowledge) sometimes infinitive” (Gildersl. on Justin M., Apol., i., 8, 8).

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

24. I trust] For the Greek and its force see on Php 1:25, with the reference there to Php 1:6.

in the Lord] See last note on Php 1:8.

shortly] The word is of course elastic; it may mean a few weeks, or many months, as relations of comparison vary. What he is confident of is that Timothy’s arrival would be followed at no great interval by his own.—Bp Lightfoot compares 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 4:19, for a curiously close parallel to the language of this passage, without any connexion of events.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 24. - But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Notice the variations of tone respecting his prospects of release. "I know" (Philippians 1:25), "I hope" (Philemon 1:22, in the Greek), "I trust" here. The apostle was subject, like all of us, to changing currents of thought, to the ebb and flow of spirits; but his trust was always in the Lord. "Behold," says Chrysostom, "how he makes all things depend upon God." His hope, in all probability, was fulfilled (see Titus 2:12). Philippians 2:24