Something was burdening Paul’s mind about the Philippians, but his attention first had to be with his current situation. He was imprisoned in Rome at the time of his writing and was apparently awaiting a legal decision. Remember in Acts 21-26 Paul had returned from his third missionary tour and had gone to Jerusalem where he was apprehended by the Jewish authorities. While being interrogated before the Roman authorities, he claimed his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Rome. So in Acts 27-28, he was shipped to Rome under guard. The last we hear of him in the historical account of Acts, he was under house arrest in Rome awaiting the verdict (Acts 28:16). During this time we believe he wrote some of his so-called prison epistles.

Timothy would be dispatched once the outcome was made known and he would inform the Philippians of Paul’s wellbeing and doings. His hopes were that he himself would be also able to visit the Philippians subsequently. These small details give insights into the close relationship the apostle had with the Philippians. They had followed his ministry closely, being supporters of him from the earliest days (as we will see in later chapters of this letter).

A few observations are in order. Paul, although walking spiritually, being astute theologically and at times functioning prophetically, did not pretend to know his personal future with certainty. Not presuming upon God’s will, he used words like “hope” in reference to what was ahead for him. Yet, at the same time, he had a confidence in how things would turn out, for he said, “I trust in the Lord …” which could also be translated, “I am convinced in the Lord …”

Also, we see, he used normal human wisdom in laying out his plans. He took pains to communicate them clearly, so there would be no second guessing why he was not going to the Philippians right away. Although he walked with the Lord, he still operated in the earthly realm and was subject to the normal affairs of the world, in this case, the deliberations of Caesar.

We have no record of Paul’s having actually visited Philippi again, although the likelihood of that happening is not out of the question. That he was released from Roman incarceration is attested by many, but subsequent to that his travel itinerary is somewhat sketchy to the historian. We do know that his plan was eventually to go to Spain (Romans 15:28).