2 Timothy 4:18. And the Lord shall deliver me— "I do not indeed expect to be delivered, when I am called upon to make my second apology: but I am persuaded that the Lord will deliver me from every evil work; from all misbehaviour unworthy his sacred ministry; and that he will bring me safe unto his heavenly kingdom." read more
16. At my first answer—that is, "defense" in court, at my first public examination. Timothy knew nothing of this, it is plain, till Paul now informs him. But during his former imprisonment at Rome, Timothy was with him (Philippians 1:1; Philippians 1:7). This must have been, therefore, a second imprisonment. He must have been set free before the persecution in A.D. 64, when the Christians were accused of causing the conflagration in Rome; for, had he been a prisoner then, he certainly would not... read more
17. the Lord—the more because men deserted me. stood with me—stronger than "came forward with me" (Greek, :-). strengthened—Greek, "put strength in me." by me—"through me"; through my means. One single occasion is often of the greatest moment. the preaching—"the Gospel proclamation." might be fully known—might be fully made (see on 2 Timothy 4:5). that all the Gentiles—present at my trial, "might hear" the Gospel proclaimed then. Rome was the capital of the Gentile world, so that a... read more
18. And the Lord shall, c.—Hope draws its conclusions from the past to the future [BENGEL]. will preserve me—literally, "will save" (Psalms 22:21), "will bring me safe to." Jesus is the Lord and the Deliverer (Philippians 3:20 1 Thessalonians 1:10): He saves from evil; He gives good things. heavenly kingdom—Greek, "His kingdom which is a heavenly one." to whom, &c.—Greek, "to whom be the glory unto the ages of ages." The very hope produces a doxology: how much greater will be the doxology... read more
V. CONCLUDING PERSONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 4:9-22Paul concluded his last inspired epistle by giving Timothy personal instructions and information to enable him to carry out the apostle’s last wishes. read more
Customarily under Roman law accused prisoners underwent a preliminary hearing before their trial. At this hearing, witnesses could speak on behalf of the accused. In Paul’s case no one had come to his defense. This was probably because when Rome burned in July of A.D. 64 Nero blamed the Christians, and from then on it was dangerous to be a known Christian in Rome. Neither local Christians nor Paul’s fellow workers were willing to stand with the apostle (cf. Matthew 26:56). Paul hoped the Lord... read more
B. Paul’s preliminary hearing in court 4:16-18 read more
The Lord, however, had not abandoned His faithful servant on that occasion but had strengthened Paul. Evidently Paul was able to give a word of witness at his hearing that furthered his mission to the Gentiles. He had so far escaped death, though he was ready to die as a martyr. The "lion’s mouth" may be a reference to the lions in the Roman Coliseum that were then devouring Christians. However the Romans would have beheaded Paul rather than thrown him to the lions since he was a Roman citizen.... read more
Paul knew he would die a martyr’s death (2 Timothy 4:6-8), but he saw death as God’s vehicle to deliver him from an evil deed (his execution) and to bring him into his Lord’s presence. For this prospect he glorified God.Thoughts of the coming heavenly kingdom that Paul was about to enter lay behind all he wrote in 2 Timothy 4:1-18. He referred to Christ’s kingdom in 2 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:18 specifically. I believe Paul was speaking of Christ’s rule in which all Christians will participate... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Timothy 4:17
2 Timothy 4:17. Might be fully known,— Πληροφορηθη,— might be carried on with confidence. It was a glorious testimony to the honour of Christianity, that the apostle couldthuscourageouslymaintainit, when all his friends forsook him, and his enemies were so fiercely raging against him. By the lion, the apostle (according to many commentators) means the emperor Nero; whom, it is remarkable, Seneca calls by the same name. But, since Clement says that he suffered martyrdom under the governors, (see... read more