2 Timothy 4:16-18

PRAISE FOR HIS LORD 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Text 4:16-18

16 At my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their account. 17 But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 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.

Thought Questions 5:16-18

227.

What is meant by the phrase, my first defense?

228.

Is Paul saying that his Christian friends would not testify on his behalf before the Roman Court? If not, what is meant?

229.

If certain persons forsook Paul in his hour of need, it would be laid to their account. Why then the expression in 2 Timothy 4:16 b?

230.

What proclamation of the Gospel is meant in 2 Timothy 4:17? What Gentiles?

231.

Who is lion in 2 Timothy 4:17 b? Is this literal or figurative?

232.

Paul had certain expectations of deliverance from every evil work, and yet he was beheaded. How can we reconcile the two thoughts?

233.

What is the heavenly kingdom of 2 Timothy 4:18 b?

Paraphrase 4:16-18

16 At my first answer, my fellow-laborers were so terrified that no one of them appeared with me in the court, but all forsook me. I pray God not to lay it to their charge!

17 However, though men forsook me when brought to my trials, the Lord Jesus, according to His promise, Luke 21:15, stood by me and strengthened me, that on such an occasion, and before such personages, through me the preaching concerning Christ might be fully declared, and that all the Gentiles might hear that it was so declared; and I escaped with such difficulty, that I cannot describe it better than by saying, I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18 And the Lord Jesus will deliver me from every evil work, so that I shall do nothing for the preservation of my life inconsistent with my former preaching; and He will preserve me to His Heavenly Kingdom. To whom I gratefully ascribe the glory of faithfulness, goodness, and power, for ever and ever. Amen.

Comment 4:16-18

2 Timothy 4:16. The first defense doubtless refers to the trial of Paul before the Roman Court.

2 Timothy 4:16-17. Because of its descriptive qualities we quote from THE LIFE AND EPISTLES OF PAUL (pp. 832-834):

We see from this statement, that it was dangerous even to appear in public as the friend or adviser of the Apostle. No advocate would venture to plead his cause, no procurator to aid him in arranging the evidence, no patronus (such as he might have found, perhaps, in the powerful Aemilian house) to appear as his supporter, and to deprecate, according to ancient usage, the severity of the sentence. But he had a more powerful·intercessor, and a wiser advocate, who could never leave him nor forsake him. The Lord Jesus was always near him, but now was felt almost visibly present in the hour of his need.
From the above description we can realize, in some measure, the external features of his last trial. He evidently intimates that he spoke before a crowded audience, so that -all the Gentiles might hear-'; and this corresponds with the supposition, which historically, we should be led to make, that he was tried in one of those great basilicas which stood in the Forum. Two of the most celebrated of these edifices were called the Pauline Basilicas, from the well-known Lucius Aemilius Paulus, who had built one of them, and restored the other. It is not improbable that the greatest man who ever bore the Pauline name was tried in one of these. From specimens which still exist, as well as from the descriptions of Vituvius, we have an accurate knowledge of the character of these halls of justice. They were rectangular buildings, consisting of a central nave and two aisles, separated from the nave by rows of columns. At one end of the nave was the tribune, in the center of which was placed the magistrate's curule chair of ivory, elevated on a platform called the tribunal. Here also, sat the Council of Assessors, who advised the Prefect upon the law, though they had no voice in the judgment. On the sides of the tribune were seats for distinguished persons, as well as for parties engaged in the proceedings. Fronting the presiding magistrate stood the prisoner, with his accusers and his advocates. The public was admitted into the remainder of the have and aisles (which was railed off from the portion devoted to the judicial proceedings); and there were also galleries along the whole length of the aisles, one for men, the other for women. The aisles were roofed over; as was the tribune. The nave was originally left open to the sky. The basilicas were buildings of great size, so that a vast multitude of spectators was always present at any trial which excited public interest,

Before such an audience it was, that Paul was now called to speak in his defense. His earthly friends had deserted him, but his Heavenly Friend stood by him. He was strengthened by the power of Christ's Spirit, and pleaded the cause not of himself only, but of the Gospel. He spoke of Jesus, of His death and His resurrection, so that all the Heathen multitude might hear.

2 Timothy 4:18. The Lord had delivered Paul at his first defense, and although he fully expected to be executed, he believed the Lord would give him the victory. Not injury done to him by others, it is plain he did not expect deliverance from this, but sin done by himself, such as that of denying Christ (Harvey). Such strengthening from the Lord will be extended all the way from earth to glory, God's grace will be sufficient until he reaches the Heavenly Kingdom. The hope of this deliverance produces a doxology. It might be well to note that this doxology is directed toward Christ, which is an indication of His divinity,

Fact Questions 4:16-18

161.

What is meant by no one took my part?

162.

Explain how Paul received strength from the Lord, Please do more than to repeat the words of the text.

163.

In what sense was the message fully proclaimed by Paul?

164.

What does Paul mean by saying he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion?

165.

From what evil work did Paul expect to be delivered?

166.

What is significant about the doxology?