Philippians 2:19

But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state.

In the two preceding verses, Paul contemplated his own martyrdom as a realistic possibility; but here the mood changed to one of hope and confidence, for his being able to send Timothy would mean that his state had improved enough to make this possible. It is therefore impossible to make Paul's statements about his prospects the basis of dating the epistle. Like any person in similar circumstances, Paul, from time to time, would have wavered between the extremes of despair and confidence. Note here that Paul anticipated still being alive at a time when Timothy would return with good news.

Timothy had been with Paul extensively during his travels and was at the time indicated here performing some valuable service for the apostle. It would have been a genuine sacrifice for Paul to part with him for a journey to Philippi. Nevertheless, such was his concern for them that he was willing to do so.