2Ti 4:17-18 | JFB | e4.org | 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 ). 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 proclamation of the truth to the Romans was likely to go forth to the rest of the Gentile world. I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion —namely, Satan, the roaring, devouring lion ( ). I was prevented falling into his snare ( ); agrees with this interpretation, "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: so ALFORD .

‏ 2 Timothy 4:17-18

17. the Lord—the more because men deserted me.

stood with me—stronger than "came forward with me" (Greek, 2Ti 4:16).

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 2Ti 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 proclamation of the truth to the Romans was likely to go forth to the rest of the Gentile world.

I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion—namely, Satan, the roaring, devouring lion (Lu 22:31; 1Pe 5:8). I was prevented falling into his snare (2Ti 2:26; Ps 22:21; 2Pe 2:9); 2Ti 4:18 agrees with this interpretation, "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 (2Ti 4:6-8), but deliverance from the temptation, through fear, to deny His Lord: so ALFORD.

18. And the Lord shall, &c.—Hope draws its conclusions from the past to the future [BENGEL].

will preserve me—literally, "will save" (Ps 22:21), "will bring me safe to." Jesus is the Lord and the Deliverer (Php 3:20; 1Th 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 which the actual enjoyment shall produce! [BENGEL].