At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message (Gospel) might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! (2 Timothy 4:16-18).
4:16 Paul echos the forgiving attitude of Christ. Although many had abandoned him, he asked God not to hold them accountable for their actions.
4:17 In spite of the failure of his friends, Paul was supported by the Lord, who always strengthens and empowers. Often people will fail us in troublesome times. The Lord, however, never fails His children, no matter how difficult the circumstances are (see Luke 22:32; Hebrews 7:25). God had consistently empowered Paul during his life so that he could continue to preach the truth to the Gentiles. Lion is probably a reference to execution by lions. It is also possible that Paul is using the word as a metaphor for the spiritual conflict from which he was delivered.
4:18 Paul's expression of confidence in God builds to a crescendo of praise, ending with Amen.
[THE NKJV STUDY BIBLE Second Edition].
[www.sowersoftheword.blogspot.com].
JESUS IS LORD.
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