2 Timothy 4:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion 's mouth.

NIV: But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.

NASB: But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.

CSB: But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

NLT: But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Given the dangerous, anti-Christian politics of the time, no human stood with Paul at his first hearing. However, Paul was entirely confident that he was not alone. His words closely reflect Daniel's response from the lion's den: "My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm" (Daniel 6:22). At his first hearing, Paul might have avoided immediate execution—perhaps even death by lions in the Coliseum. Given his earlier comments, he does not expect to be so lucky in the future. The idea of rescue from the mouth of a lion is also used figuratively in Scripture, as in Psalm 22:21 and 1 Peter 5:8. According to tradition, Paul was eventually beheaded.

Paul also understood God's good reasons for his own suffering. The spread of the gospel was his true mission on earth. Specifically, Paul was called to preach the good news to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16–17; Galatians 1:16; 2:8). His ability to preach to people, in the largest and most powerful city in the world, was part of his mission to promote the truth. Eventually, that mission was going to lead to conflict with the powers that be.

Second Timothy 4:9–18 updates Timothy on Paul's ministry partners, as well as his antagonists. Some of Paul's friends have been sent out on missionary causes. Others, such as Demas, have turned their back on Paul and abandoned him. Only Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, is still with him. Paul specifically warns Timothy about Alexander the coppersmith. Paul knows full well that he will not survive this trip through the Roman legal system. Rather than despair, he still rejoices in his salvation and praises God.

Paul summarizes his instructions to Timothy, through a practical application of his prior teachings. Timothy is "charged" by Paul to defend his faith, against all error and false teaching, at all times. Timothy will face resistance. Paul also openly admits that his life is nearly over, so Timothy will need to soldier on without him. After this, Paul gives some personal updates about his situation, giving Timothy a few instructions and advice about particular people. Paul makes a final appeal for Timothy to visit him, then closes his letter—as he will close his life—focused on the grace of God.

Second Timothy is the last New Testament letter written by Paul. Paul writes these words while awaiting execution by Rome. At this time, around AD 67, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus. Paul writes to Timothy in order to encourage him. Paul is facing the worst of all hardships: his own impending death. So, he encourages Timothy to stand strong in his faith, with a reliance on the written Word of God. This letter echoes many of the themes Paul uses in his other letters.