Paul first talks about Timothy. He hopes to send him soon. He hopes this in the Lord. We encounter the words in the Lord more often in this letter. With it, Paul shows that he makes his plans in connection with the Lord Jesus. What also comes through in this choice of words, is that this is not just a personal visit, but this is about mission work in Philippi for Jesus Christ.

When Timothy comes back to Paul, he hopes that he himself will also be joyful about the messages about the congregation. In Philippians 1:27, Paul already writes that he is eager to hear how things are going in Philippi.

Paul has a close relationship with Timothy. In Philippians 1:1 and 1 Corinthians 4:17 it becomes evident that Timothy is being sent to work and bring peace in a tense situation. In Philippians 1:1, Timothy is mentioned as co-sender. Here it becomes clear that Timothy is also subordinate to Paul at the same time, because it says, Paul hopes to send him.