believes he will be buoyed by knowing/learning (through Timothy’s reporting?) the (presumably good) things concerning them (2:19). He remains persuaded that God is at work in their midst (1:6; 2:13). The affection Paul has for the Philippian church, which he clearly expresses near the beginning and the ending of the letter, is also evident here (cf. 1:7; 4:1, 14–16). His eschatological boast (2:16) and present well-being are bound up with the Philippian believers. If this is true of Paul, vv. 20–22