2 Timothy 4:16-18·~1 min

The Lord Remains Faithful

Paul says that at his first defense everyone deserted him, though he prays that it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood by him and strengthened him so that the message was fully proclaimed and the Gentiles heard it, and Paul is confident that the Lord will rescue him from every evil deed and bring him safely into His heavenly kingdom, so he gives God glory forever.

A¹⁶t my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. ¹⁷But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. ¹⁸And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Section summaryPaul says that at his first defense no one stood with him, though he prays that this failure not be charged against them. Yet the Lord stood by him, strengthened him, and made sure the message was fully proclaimed so that the Gentiles could hear. Because of that same faithfulness, Paul is sure the Lord will rescue him from every evil deed and bring him safely into His heavenly kingdom.

Role in the chapterThis section brings Paul's final loneliness and final confidence into one place. Human abandonment is real, but it is not the deepest fact of his story; the Lord's presence is.