Paul looked forward to sending Timothy to Philippi in order to hear good news about how the Philippians believers were progressing in their faith. But Paul’s love for them led him to look forward to another visit there 
himself. Philippians 2:23-24 says this, “I hope therefore to send him (Timothy) just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.” Paul is waiting for the outcome of his sentencing before sending Timothy so that he could carry that news to them. Paul trusted that regardless of what God allowed to fall upon him, he would be able to respond positively either way. He doesn’t boast about a particular outcome but he certainly “hopes” for one! He would love for Timothy to carry the good news that Paul’s situation had improved in Rome.
He not only hoped for a positive outcome he expected one! Trusting the Lord for good news was one of Paul’s most frequently expressed attitudes. He had already expressed this attitude earlier in chapter 1 when he said he was confident that he would be delivered through their prayers for him. Now he’s saying that when that happens, and he’s expecting it to, he’s going to make another trip to Philippi to be blessed by their presence and to bless them in return. In verse 19 of Chapter 2, Paul expressed his confidence in the Philippians. He was expecting a very positive report on their growth and development in Christ-likeness. He was expecting the best for them. It was a result of Paul’s love for them. I love the way the Living Bible gives us 1 Corinthians 13:7. It reads, “If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.”
Now he’s expecting the best for himself also. The ancient Pulpit Commentary by H. D. M. Spence-Jones, says that hope “…concerning one’s own future—is generally supposed to be a matter of temperament. There are persons of a sanguine temperament, who always expect the best possible, and sometimes are confident in hope, though on the slightest ground. And others are given rather to foreboding, and their forecasts are of evil. Now, Christianity does not destroy temperament; but it gives a just bent to the outlook of the hopeful, and instills into the despondent a different spirit. Based, as the Christian life is, upon faith, it must proceed to hope. The God who has loved us with an everlasting love will ‘never leave and never forsake us.’ The Savior who has ‘loved his own’ will ‘love them unto the end.’ The Word in which we trust is a Word which liveth and abideth forever.’”