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| 2 Timothy 4:17 |
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with
me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching
might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles
might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of
the lion.
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Note:
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single verse, read all the verses from the beginning
of the chapter to this point and maybe a verse or
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This last section of Chapter 4 has seven [7]
verses.
2 Timothy 4:16-22
16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all
men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid
to their charge.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and
strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be
fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear:
and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil
work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly
kingdom [meaning of God]: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of
Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I
left at Miletum sick.
21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus
greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia,
and all the brethren.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace
be with you. Amen.
We will begin with the Barclay commentary:
LAST WORDS AND GREETINGS
2 Timothy 4:16-22
…paraphrased
At my first defense, no one was there to stand by
me, but all forsook me. May it not be reckoned
against them! But the Lord stood beside me, and he
strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation
of the gospel was fully made so that the Gentiles
might hear it. So I was rescued from the mouth of
the lion. The Lord will rescue me from every evil,
and will save me for his heavenly kingdom. Glory be
to him for ever and ever. Amen.
Greet Prisca and Aquila [AK-wih-luh],
and the family of Onesiphorus [on'uh-SIF-uh-ruhs].
Erastus [ih-RAS-tuhs]
stayed in Corinth. I left Trophimus [TROF-uh-muhs]
at Miletus. Exibulus [Ex-aw-bu-lus]
sends greetings to you, as do Pudens [POO-dinz],
Linus and Claudia, and all the brothers.
The Lord be with your spirit.
Grace be with you.
A Roman trial began with a preliminary examination
to formulate the precise charge against the
prisoner. When Paul was brought to that preliminary
examination, not one of his friends stood by him. It
was too dangerous to proclaim oneself the friend of
a man on trial for his life.
One of the curious things about this passage is the
number of reminiscences of Psalm 22. ‘Why have you
forsaken me? – all forsook me.’ ‘There is no one to
help – no one was there to stand by me.’ ‘Save me
from the mouth of the lion! – I was rescued from the
mouth of the lion.’ ‘All the ends of the earth shall
remember and turn to the Lord – that the Gentiles
might hear it.’ ‘Dominion belongs to the Lord – The
Lord will save me for his heavenly kingdom.’ It
seems certain that the words of this psalm were
running in Paul’s mind. And the lovely thing is that
this was the psalm which was in the mind of Jesus
when he hung upon his cross. As Paul faced death, he
took encouragement from the same psalm that his Lord
used in the same circumstances.
Three things brought Paul courage in that lonely
hour.
(1) Everyone had forsaken him; but the Lord
was with him. Jesus had said that he would never
leave his followers or forsake them, and that he
would be with them to the end of the world. Paul is
a witness that Jesus kept his promise. If to do the
right means to be alone, as Joan of Arc said, ‘It is
better to be alone with God.’
(2) Paul would use even a Roman court to proclaim
the message of Christ. He obeyed his own
commandment: in season and out of season, he pressed
the claims of Christ on men and women. He was so
busy thinking of the task of preaching that he
forgot the danger. Those who are immersed in the
task before them have conquered fear.
(3) He was quite certain of the ultimate rescue. He
might seem to be the victim of circumstances and a
criminal condemned by Roman justice, but Paul saw
beyond the present time and knew that his eternal
safety was assured. It is always better to be in
danger for a moment and safe for eternity than to be
safe for a moment and to jeopardize eternity.
~Barclay commentary
Now to the other commentaries beginning with the
general and going to the specific.
First from the Matthew Henry main:
Notwithstanding this God stood by him (2 Timothy
4:17) - gave him extraordinary wisdom and courage,
to enable him to speak so much the better himself.
When he had nobody to keep him in countenance, God
made his face to shine. -
That by me the preaching might be fully known - that
is, “God brought me out from that difficulty that I
might preach the gospel, which is my business.” Nay,
it should seem, that he might preach the gospel at
that time; for Paul knew how to preach at the bar as
well as in the pulpit. And that all the Gentiles
might hear; the emperor himself and the great men
who would never have heard Paul preach if he had not
been brought before them.
And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion -
that is, of Nero (as some think) or some other
judge. Some understand it only as a proverbial form
of speech, to signify that he was in imminent
danger. And the Lord shall deliver me from every
evil work. See how Paul improved his experiences:
“He that delivered doth deliver, and we trust he
will yet deliver, will deliver me from every evil
work, from any ill done to me by others. And shall
preserve me to his heavenly kingdom.” And for this
he gives glory to God, rejoicing in hope of the
glory of God. Observe,
(1.) If the Lord stand by us, he will strengthen us,
in a time of difficulty and danger, and his presence
will more than supply every one's absence.
(2.) When the Lord preserves his servants from great
and imminent danger, it is for eminent work and
service. Paul was preserved that by him the
preaching might be fully known, etc.
(3.) Former deliverances should encourage future
hopes.
(4.) There is a heavenly kingdom, to which the Lord
will preserve his faithful witnessing or suffering
servants.
(5.) We ought to give God the glory of all past,
present, and future deliverances: To whom be glory
for ever and ever. Amen.
~Matthew Henry Main
Now to the Matthew Henry Concise which covers verses
14-18:
There is as much danger from false brethren, as from
open enemies. It is dangerous having to do with
those who would be enemies to such a man as Paul.
The Christians at Rome were forward to meet him,
Acts 28, but when there seemed to be a danger of
suffering with him, then all forsook him. God might
justly be angry with them, but he prays God to
forgive them. The apostle was delivered out of the
mouth of the lion, that is, of Nero, or some of his
judges. If the Lord stands by us, he will strengthen
us in difficulties and dangers, and his presence
will more than supply every one's absence.
~Matthew Henry Concise
Now from the F. B. Meyer which covers verses 13-22:
The winter was approaching, and the Apostle would be
glad of his cloak amid the damp of the Mamertine
prison. Evidently his arrest under Nero’s orders had
been so sudden and peremptory that he was not
allowed to go into his lodgings for this and other
possessions, such as the books mentioned in 2
Timothy 4:13.
Quoted verse:
2 Timothy 4:13 [see
Lesson]
The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when
thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but
especially the parchments.
He had made his first appearance before Nero, and
was expecting a further appearance to receive his
sentence. But the Lord was with him, and his comfort
was that he had proclaimed the gospel to the highest
audience in the world of his time. His one thought
always was that the gospel should be heard by men,
whether they would hear or forbear. If that were
secured, he did not count the cost to himself. The
lion may stand for Nero or Satan. See Luke 22:31; 1
Peter 5:8. From 2 Timothy 4:20 we gather that
miraculous gifts of healing, of which Paul was
possessed, may not be used merely for friendship’s
sake, but only where the progress of the gospel
requires them. ~ F. B.
Meyer
Quoted verses:
Luke 22:31
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath
desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking
whom he may devour:
2 Timothy 4:20 [see
Lesson]
Erastus [ih-RAS-tuhs]
abode at Corinth: but Trophimus [TROF-uh-muhs]
have I left at Miletum sick.
Notice this now from the Biblical Illustrator:
Man’s extremity [condition
of extreme distress or need] is God’s
opportunity
1. All men forsook me, but the Lord stood by me.
Hence, observe: that man’s extremity is God’s
opportunity, or when man’s help faileth then God
appeareth, He then cometh in as an Auxiliary. The
Lord only is immutable [unchangeable],
He never faileth His at their need. God’s people are
never less alone than when they are most alone;
never less forsaken than when they are forsaken of
all.
2. Strengthening grace [mercy,
pardon, favor, help] is the gift of God.
“And strengthened me.” He doth not only give us
renewing grace and then leave us to our own
free-will, but He giveth us persevering grace also.
As He is the Author of our grace by vocation, so He
is the finisher of it by preservation.
3. Whilst God hath any work for His servants to do,
He will assist and uphold them in spite of all
oppositions. “That by me the preaching might be
fully known.” Though Nero rage against Paul, and all
men forsake him, yet God will assist him that He may
preach the gospel to the world. Our comfort is, that
our times are not in our enemies’ hands but in the
hands of a gracious God.
4. God would have His truth revealed to the sons of
men. “And that all the Gentiles might hear.” He
would have the gospel known—fully known—to the
Gentiles. Truth is good, and the more common it is
the better. Where it getteth ground, Satan’s kingdom
falleth like lightning from heaven suddenly and
irresistibly (Luke 10:18). Let none then hide their
talents, but as the sun freely communicateth its
light and heat to us, so let us freely impart our
gifts unto others.
Quoted verse:
Luke 10:18
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning
fall from heaven.
5. The Church’s enemies ofttimes are lions. “And I
was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” Lions
for potency, lions for policy (Psalm 17:12), lions
for cruelty, lions for terror. Be serpents for
policy, and not for poison, lions for prowess, and
not for rapine. Be not familiar with these lions,
come not near their-dens lest they make a prey of
you, have no fellowship with such unfruitful works
of darkness but reprove them rather.
Quoted verse:
Psalm 17:12
Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it
were a young lion lurking in secret places.
6. God many times suffers His dearest children to
fall into the mouths of these lions, so that to a
carnal eye they seem hopeless and helpless.
7. That God will deliver His from this great danger.
He that brought thee into the mouth of the lion will
bring thee out again (Daniel 6:22).
~Biblical Illustrator
Quoted verse:
Daniel 6:22
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions'
mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as
before him innocency was found in me; and also
before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
Here is another piece from the Biblical Illustrator:
God’s goodness in the greatest distresses
I. Paul’s experience of God’s loving care for him in
his past deliverances.
1. The enemies of the truth are oft for power,
always for malice—lions.
2. God suffers His dearest children to fall into the
mouths of lions.
3. In their extremities [condition
of extreme distress or need] God delivers
them—
(1) By suspending the malice of their foes.
(2) By raising up one lion against another.
(3) By diverting them from their intended prey.
(4) By changing their nature to lambs.
(5) By showing Himself a lion.
(6) By making them lions to themselves.
(7) By making them friends, putting some conceit or
fancy into their heart.
(8) By making His own people lions to their
adversaries.
II. Paul’s assured hope, built upon his experience.
1. “The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work.”
God preserves from evil works by planting the graces
of faith and fear in us.
2. “And will preserve me unto His heavenly [meaning
of God] kingdom.” By Himself, and by
inferior agencies.
III. The issue of both his experience and his hopes.
As they flow from God’s grace, so he ascribes to Him
the glory. We honour ourselves when we honour God;
our praising God causes others to do so.
~Biblical Illustrator
We will now go to the specific commentaries. The
various commentaries break out this verse into many
different configurations as you will see. I will put
them all under these four parts:
1] Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and
strengthened me.
2] That by me the preaching might be fully known.
3] And that all the Gentiles might hear.
4] And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
1] Notwithstanding the Lord stood
with me and strengthened me.
The Lord stood with me
- He had a better helper than man. He had an
assurance that the Lord was with him.
~People's New Testament
Notwithstanding the Lord stood
with me - Though all “men” forsook me, yet
“God” did not. This expresses a universal truth in
regard to the faithfulness of God [see
Psalm 27:10; and Job 5:17-19].
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses:
Psalm 27:10
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the
LORD will take me up.
Job 5:17-20
17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth:
therefore despise not thou the chastening of the
Almighty:
18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth,
and his hands make whole.
19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in
seven there shall no evil touch thee.
20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in
war from the power of the sword.
The Lord stood with me
- When all human help failed, God, in a more
remarkable manner, interposed; and thus the
excellency plainly appeared to be of God, and not of
man. ~Adam Clarke
The Lord stood with me
- The presence of God or Christ is more than all
friends whatever, and is often enjoyed by the
believer, when they drop him; and is a bulwark
against all enemies and fears of them; if God is
with him, and on his side, though friends fail, and
enemies rage, he has nothing to fear.
~John Gill
And strengthened me -
inwardly with strength in his soul, with might in
his inward man, unto all longsuffering with
joyfulness: he was weak in himself, and could do
nothing without Christ; Christ was his strength, in
him it lay, and to him he looked for it; of which he
often had experience, and now afresh; he
strengthened him to plead his own cause, to make his
defence without fear; he gave him presence of mind,
boldness, courage, and intrepidity, freedom of
thought and expression; and put it into his heart
what he should say, and gave him a mouth and wisdom,
which his adversaries could not resist. All which he
takes notice of with thankfulness, admiring the
divine goodness to him, and taking nothing to
himself: and the end of this was.
~John Gill
And strengthened me -
Greek, “put strength in me.”
~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
2] That by me the preaching might
be fully known.
That by me the preaching might
be fully known. - The sentiment of this
passage then is, that the truth of the gospel is
made known, or that men may become fully assured of
it, by the testimony which is borne to it by its
friends in the near prospect of death. One of the
most important means of establishing the truth of
the gospel in the world has been the testimony borne
to it by martyrs, and the spirit of unwavering
confidence in God which they have evinced.
~Barnes Notes
That by me the preaching might
be fully known - When called on to make his
defense he took occasion to preach the Gospel, and
to show that the great God of heaven and earth had
designed to illuminate the Gentile world with the
rays of his light and glory.
~Adam Clarke
That by me the preaching might
be fully known - that is, that the doctrine
of the Gospel, preached by him, might be made fully
known by him; as to the author and original of it,
to be of God, and not of men; and as to the matter
of it, to be spiritual, and not concerning the
things of the world; and as to the effects and
consequences of it, to have no tendency to raise
sedition and disturbances in commonwealths, but, on
the contrary, promote peace and love.
~John Gill
That by me the preaching might
be fully known - The Lord strengthened him,
so that in his defense he could proclaim to the
Gentiles boldly the principles of the gospel. For
the manner in which he was wont to defend himself,
see in Acts his famous speeches before Felix,
Festus, and Agrippa.
~People's New Testament
3] And that all the Gentiles might
hear.
And that all the Gentiles
might hear - Paul was at this time in Rome.
His trial was before a pagan tribunal, and he was
surrounded by Pagans. Rome, too, was then the center
of the world, and at all times there was a great
conflux of strangers there. His trial, therefore,
gave him an opportunity of testifying to the truth
of Christianity before Gentile rulers, and in such
circumstances that the knowledge of his sufferings,
and of the religion for which he suffered, might be
conveyed by the strangers who witnessed it to the
ends of the world. His main object in life was to
make the gospel known to the Gentiles, and he had
thus an opportunity of furthering that great cause,
even on what he supposed might be the trial which
would determine with him the question of life or
death. ~Barnes Notes
4] And I was delivered out of the
mouth of the lion.
And I was delivered out of the
mouth of the lion - This may either mean that
he was delivered from Nero, compared with a lion, or
literally that he was saved from being thrown to
lions in the amphitheater, as was common in Rome.
~Barnes Notes
And I was delivered out of the
mouth of the lion - Out of the mouth of the
lion. Probably a proverbial expression indicating
deliverance from great danger. Some have thought it
meant that he was delivered from being thrown to the
lions. ~People's New
Testament
And this interesting piece from the JFB:
I was delivered out of the
mouth of the lion — namely, Satan, the
roaring, devouring lion. I was prevented falling
into his snare, “The Lord shall deliver me from
every evil work,” namely, both from evil and the
evil one, as the Greek of the Lord’s Prayer
expresses it. It was not deliverance from Nero (who
was called the lion) which he rejoiced
in, for he did not fear death, but deliverance from
the temptation, through fear, to deny His Lord.
~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Now clearly the main phrase in verse 17 is
"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and
strengthened me. The rest of the verse is specific
to Paul's life and current situation. Our life and
situation now or in the future may be different but
the fact that God will stand with you and strengthen
you will apply.
Some closing verses on this point;
Psalm 37:39
But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD:
he is their strength in the time of trouble.
Psalm 109:31
For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to
save him from those that condemn his soul.
Matthew 10:19
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or
what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in
that same hour what ye shall speak.
Isaiah 41:10
...God speaking to Israel
and by extension us
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;
for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I
will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the
right hand of my righteousness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for
thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon
me.
Notice a couple of quotes:
"Dear God, I don't ask you to make my life easier,
but I ask you to give me strength to face all my
troubles."
"How can I say, 'I can't' when the Bible says, 'I
can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me.'"
[Philippians 4:13]
"Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to
happen to me today that you and I together can't
handle."
This is the lesson of verse 17. |
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