What does Philippians 2:24 mean?

Paul hoped to also visit the Philippian church soon. His plan was three-fold. First, he sent this letter with Epaphroditus, named in verse 25. Second, he would send Timothy to visit and return to him in Rome (Philippians 2:19, 23). Third, Paul would personally visit the Philippian believers, or at least he wanted to.

As it turns out, we cannot be certain whether or not this visit actually took place. Paul's later ministry work is recorded only in the letters of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. These letters note his visits to areas near Philippi, but not in the city itself. He may have visited as planned, given that he was in the area, but this is not certain. Paul also intended to visit Philemon (Philemon 1:22) as well as Spain (Romans 15), though neither event is specifically recorded in the New Testament. Various extra-biblical writings associate Paul with all of these locations in his later years. We know Paul visited Ephesus, leaving Timothy there; Macedonia (1 Timothy 1:3); Crete (Titus); Nicopolis (Titus 3:12); Troas (2 Timothy 4:13); and was likely arrested in Troas and taken to Rome, where he was held until his death.