The Meaning of Philippians 2:24 Explained

Philippians 2:24

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

YLT: and I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall quickly come.

Darby: but I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall soon come;

ASV: but I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come shortly.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Philippians 2:24 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul believed that he would receive his freedom and would be able to return to Philippi fairly soon (cf. Philippians 1:25). However, he qualified his hope with the realization that justice does not always prevail in legal courts (cf. Luke 23:13-25). As mentioned previously, there is evidence that Nero did release Paul and that the apostle resumed his missionary work.
"The submissive mind is not the product of an hour"s sermon, or a week"s seminar, or even a year"s service. The submissive mind grows in us as, like Timothy, we yield to the Lord and seek to serve others." [1]

Context Summary

Philippians 2:19-30 - Honoring Christian Messengers
The Apostle nobly honored the younger men who wrought with him. He speaks of Timothy as his son, and expatiates on the genuineness of his loving interest in each of his converts. He describes Epaphroditus as his brother, fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier. How tenderly he refers to his sickness and recovery, as though God had conferred on himself special favor in giving back this beloved comrade in the great fight!
It is well worth while to ponder the remark that God does not add sorrow to sorrow, Philippians 2:27. He tempers His wind to the shorn lamb. He cautions the accuser that he must not take Job's life. With the trial He makes the way of escape. He keeps His finger on the wrist while the operation is in progress, and stays it as soon as the pulse flutters. Not sorrow upon sorrow! Note also that "hazarding" of life, Philippians 2:30, r.v. It was a common experience in those great days of Christ's suffering Church, Acts 15:26. How strange it is today to watch the sacrifices that men and women will make in times of war, when a new spirit is stirring in the world and men adventure everything for liberty, righteousness, and fatherland, and then compare this extravagant expenditure of blood and treasure with what we have done for Jesus. [source]

Chapter Summary: Philippians 2

1  Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ's humility;
12  to a careful proceeding in the way of salvation, that they be as lights to a wicked world,
16  and comforts to him their apostle, who is now ready to be offered up to God
19  He hopes to send Timothy to them, and Epaphroditus also

Greek Commentary for Philippians 2:24

In the Lord [εν Κυριωι]
Not a perfunctory use of this phrase. Paul‘s whole life is centred in Christ (Galatians 2:20). [source]

What do the individual words in Philippians 2:24 mean?

I am persuaded now in [the] Lord that also I myself soon I will come
πέποιθα δὲ ἐν Κυρίῳ ὅτι καὶ αὐτὸς ταχέως ἐλεύσομαι

πέποιθα  I  am  persuaded 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐπισείω 
Sense: persuade.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
Κυρίῳ  [the]  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
αὐτὸς  I  myself 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ταχέως  soon 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ταχέως  
Sense: quickly, shortly.
ἐλεύσομαι  I  will  come 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.