April 27
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ABANDONED BY ALL BUT THE LORD STOOD BY
16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 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. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. 21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.- 2 Timothy 4:16-22
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In the closing of this last letter of Paul to Timothy, once again he revisits his journey as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. He recalls the beginning of his persecution and how almost everyone deserted him. In verse 16, we have another glimpse of Paul’s forgiving heart when he said that he doesn’t count it against anyone who has deserted him. In verse 17, he focuses on what is more important: that the Lord stood by him and strengthened him so that he can fulfill what he was appointed to do. He was to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, so that they too, may be saved.
On a commentary on verse 17 “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion” – Adam Clarke said that Paul escaped the imminent danger at that time. Probably he was seized in a tumultuous manner, and expected to be torn to pieces. The words “to be rescued from the mouth or jaws of the lion”, are a proverbial form of speech for deliverance from the most imminent danger. Several writers think Nero to be intended by the lion, because of his rage and oppressive cruelty. But Helius Caesarinus was at this time prefect of the city; Nero being in Greece. He was a bloody tyrant, and Nero had given him the power of life and death in his absence. The apostle may mean him, if the words be not proverbial. “rescued out of the lion’s mouth.”
In verse 18, we hear Paul’s faith in action who firmly believes that the Lord is his rescuer from every evil deed. He knows that the Lord is the one who will deliver him and bring him to his kingdom and Paul, worships and praises the Lord to whom all glory for ever and ever belongs to. He mentions all his friends and co-workers for the Lord in the closing salutation of this letter.
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REFLECTION
• Why should believers not be bothered if everyone abandons them?