Philippians 2:24 kjv
But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
Philippians 2:24 nkjv
But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
Philippians 2:24 niv
And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
Philippians 2:24 esv
and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
Philippians 2:24 nlt
And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Philippians 2 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:26 | so that through my coming to you again your boasting in Christ Jesus... | Paul's previous expressed desire to return. |
| Phlm 1:22 | At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that... | Paul's expectation of release and future visit. |
| 1 Cor 4:19 | But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills... | Travel plans contingent on the Lord's will. |
| 1 Cor 16:7 | For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some... | Paul's desire for an extended, meaningful visit. |
| Rom 15:32 | so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed... | Seeking divine will for travel and mutual joy. |
| Jas 4:15 | Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this..." | Acknowledging God's sovereignty over future plans. |
| Heb 6:3 | And this we will do if God permits. | Human plans subject to divine permission. |
| Acts 19:21 | Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through... | Paul's strategic gospel travel plans. |
| Acts 20:2 | After going through those regions and giving them much encouragement... | Paul's active personal visits for encouragement. |
| 2 Cor 1:15 | Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first... | Paul's intentional planning for church visits. |
| 1 Thes 2:17 | But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time... | Paul's longing for direct fellowship. |
| 1 Thes 3:10 | as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face... | Intense desire for personal reunion. |
| Prov 3:5 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own... | Foundation of trust in the Lord. |
| Ps 118:8 | It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. | Superiority of trusting in the Lord. |
| Isa 26:3 | You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he... | Peace and stability found in trusting God. |
| Eph 3:12 | in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith... | Confidence and access through faith in Christ. |
| 1 Jn 5:14 | And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything... | Confidence in prayer rooted in God's will. |
| Phil 1:12 | I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really... | Paul's imprisonment furthering the gospel. |
| Rom 16:20 | The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of... | Usage of tacheōs for "soon." |
| Rev 22:20 | He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. | Tacheōs regarding Christ's coming. |
| 3 Jn 1:14 | I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face. | Importance of face-to-face communication. |
| 2 Tim 4:9 | Do your best to come to me soon. | Another instance of an apostle requesting a speedy visit. |
Philippians 2 verses
Philippians 2 24 Meaning
Philippians 2:24 expresses the Apostle Paul's confident expectation, founded in his faith and reliance upon Jesus Christ, that he himself would visit the Philippian church very soon. It signifies his earnest desire for a personal reunion, placing his travel plans under the Lord's sovereign will, despite his current imprisonment. This hope reflects his deep pastoral care and commitment to strengthening the fellowship of believers in Philippi directly.
Philippians 2 24 Context
Philippians 2:24 falls within Paul's section describing his travel plans and sending of emissaries. Immediately preceding it, Paul discusses sending Timothy to Philippi (vv. 19-23) to assess their welfare and report back, highlighting Timothy's selfless character and concern for them. Following verse 24, Paul details his intention to send Epaphroditus, whom he praises for nearly dying in service to Christ (vv. 25-30), back to Philippi for the believers' comfort and relief. In this larger chapter, Paul calls the Philippians to humility and unity, echoing Christ's self-emptying example (vv. 1-11), and to work out their salvation (vv. 12-18). His personal plans to visit underscore his hands-on pastoral involvement and exemplify the selfless service he encourages, prioritizing the spiritual well-being of the churches even while imprisoned. Historically, Paul was likely under house arrest or a more severe form of imprisonment in Rome when he wrote this letter (circa AD 60-62), making his ability to travel highly dependent on a favorable legal outcome, hence his trust "in the Lord."
Philippians 2 24 Word analysis
- And: (kai) Connects Paul's personal plan to his earlier mention of sending Timothy. It signals continuity in his thoughts about ensuring the Philippians' well-being.
- I trust: (πεποιθᾰ, pepoitha) From peithō. This is a perfect active indicative verb, denoting a state of settled conviction and firm confidence. It's not a fleeting wish but a deeply rooted assurance. It implies a persuasion that has occurred and now continues, emphasizing the enduring nature of his reliance.
- in the Lord: (ἐν Κυρίῳ, en Kyriō) A distinctively Pauline phrase indicating that the object of his trust, the basis of his hope, and the agent through whom his plans could come to fruition is Jesus Christ. It underscores the spiritual and divine dimension of his expectation, acknowledging divine sovereignty over his personal circumstances and future travels, especially relevant given his imprisonment.
- that I myself: (ὅτι καὶ αὐτὸς, hoti kai autos) Autos is an emphatic pronoun, stressing Paul's personal presence in contrast to sending Timothy or Epaphroditus. It reinforces his strong desire for a face-to-face encounter, demonstrating the depth of his pastoral care and commitment.
- also will be coming: (ἐλεύσομαι, eleusomai) A future indicative verb. It indicates a definite intention and expectation of an eventual visit. Coupled with pepoitha en Kyriō, it shows he believes this will occur, though the timing is dependent on God.
- shortly: (ταχέως, tacheōs) Meaning "quickly," "soon," or "shortly." It conveys Paul's expectation of a timely rather than a protracted delay in his visit. It implies a sense of urgency for reunion and gospel work, tempered by the knowledge that God controls the timing of his release and journey.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And I trust in the Lord": This phrase reveals the spiritual bedrock of Paul's expectations. His confidence is not in human strategies, legal proceedings, or personal power, but entirely in God's will and power. It's a testament to his lived faith, even in challenging circumstances like imprisonment, acknowledging divine control over all aspects of life, including his travel schedule.
- "that I myself also will be coming shortly": This part specifies the content and timing of Paul's trust. The emphasis on "I myself" communicates the unique value of his personal presence, which letters and messengers could not fully substitute. "Coming shortly" indicates his hopeful optimism that divine providence would soon clear the way for his visit, enabling continued spiritual oversight and fellowship.
Philippians 2 24 Bonus section
The verse reflects a typical pattern in Paul's letters where he combines spiritual instruction with personal, practical details. His travel plans were never purely personal but always intertwined with his mission to preach the gospel and strengthen churches (cf. Acts 16:9-10; Rom 1:11). Paul's confident expectation of visiting "shortly" would have provided significant encouragement to the Philippians, assuring them of his continued commitment and hope for a renewed period of fellowship and teaching. This statement, made from confinement, also highlights the role of God's sovereignty over legal outcomes and the lives of His servants. It demonstrates Paul's conviction that his ministry would not be ultimately hindered by human obstacles.
Philippians 2 24 Commentary
Philippians 2:24 is a window into Paul's deep pastoral heart, his unshakeable faith, and the practical outworking of his theological convictions. His "trust in the Lord" (pepoitha en Kyriō) is not mere optimism but a settled confidence, rooted in Christ's sovereignty, especially remarkable given his state as a prisoner. This verse exemplifies the spiritual discipline of entrusting all future plans, no matter how personal or pressing, to God's will (cf. Jas 4:15). Paul's desire to come "shortly" reveals the intensity of his bond with the Philippian believers and his understanding that face-to-face interaction was invaluable for encouragement, correction, and teaching within the early church. It is an assurance that, while he sends others, he longs for a personal reunion, affirming the high value of Christian fellowship and personal ministry. This also subtly stands against the Roman imperial culture that valued power and self-reliance; Paul’s hope rested entirely on a divine power, not his own influence or fate.