Timothy’s Forthcoming Visit

In 2:19–30 we have a section that has been called the “apostolic parousia” or “travelogue.” Paul announces his intention of paying his readers a visit before long (v. 24) but plans to send Timothy in advance of himself.

2:19 I hope in the Lord Jesus, in which “in the Lord Jesus” may have the same “incorporative” force as similar phrases with “in” have elsewhere in Paul (cf. 1:14, 26). Paul and Timothy, as fellow Christians, participate in the risen life of Christ. Their hopes and plans are formed in the light of their union with Christ; it might almost be said that “the Lord Jesus” constitutes the sphere in which Paul and his colleagues act and think (cf. v. 24, “I am confident in the Lord”).

Paul hopes, then, to send Timothy to them soon—not immediately, it …