2 Timothy 4:14-18

Paul Describes His Preliminary Appearance Before The Roman Court (2 Timothy 4:14-18 ).

We must ask why Alexander the coppersmith is brought in here in the middle of the list of greetings, and at the end of the description of what had happened to Paul’s lieutenants and co-workers. It is quite possible that he had been another co-worker of Paul’s but had become a turncoat. Mention of him then leads naturally into the description of Paul’s preliminary hearing.

We should note here that Paul appears, like Jesus had done before him, to very much have in mind Psalms 22:0 as he faces his suffering. He is conscious that he is ‘filling up on his part that which is behind in the sufferings of Christ’ (Colossians 1:24). Compare for example the following:

· ‘All who see me laugh me to scorn’ -- ‘All forsook me.’

· ‘Nor has He hid His face from him’ -- ‘the Lord stood by me.’

· ‘There is none to help’ -- ‘no one took my part’.

· ‘Save me from the mouth of the lion’ -- ‘I was rescued from the mouth of the lion.’

· ‘All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord’ -- ‘that the Gentiles might hear it.’

· ‘The Kingly Rule is the Lords’ -- ‘The Lord will save me for his heavenly Kingly Rule.’

Analysis.

a Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works, of whom do you also beware, for he greatly withstood our words (2 Timothy 4:14-15).

b At my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me (2 Timothy 4:16 a).

c May it not be laid to their account (2 Timothy 4:16 b).

b But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might me fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion (2 Timothy 4:17).

a The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen (2 Timothy 4:18).

Note that in ‘a’ evil (kakos) was done to him, and in the parallel he is confident that he will be delivered from every evil work (ergou ponerou). In ‘b’ no one took his part at his defence, and in the parallel the Lord took his part. Centrally in ‘c’ he prays that those who failed him might not have it laid to their account.