2 Timothy 4:16-22

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 Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.
21: Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.

22: The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

*** 

The first defense which Paul mentioned here, was the first charge of his second imprisonment. After Paul was released from his first imprisonment, a persecution came from Nero in Rome accusing Christians of setting Rome on fire. It’s possible this first charge Paul spoke of here was related to that. However, he was “rescued out of the lion’s mouth” so that charge didn’t stand. Nero was often called the lion. He was probably referring to him, or even Satan himself.

Even though everyone deserted him at this first charge, Paul asked the Lord not to hold it against them. Like Stephen who was martyred before him (Acts 7:60) and Jesus when He was on the cross (Luke 23:34) who prayed for the Lord not to hold their murderer’s sin against them, Paul prayed forgiveness for his deserters. Men may have left him, but the Lord stood with Him and strengthened him so he could proclaim the gospel that all the Gentiles might hear it.

The Lord stood with Paul at the trial where all abandoned him and Paul said He would rescue him from every evil deed, and bring him safely to His heavenly kingdom. The final charge against Paul was probably bringing Christianity to Rome. He was well aware he would be put to death soon. Yet he trusted in the Lord to keep him from evil—from denying or compromising Him—and to bring him home to heaven safely.

Paul ended the letter—the last one written before his death—with greetings and information on the location of Erastus and Trophimus. He encouraged Timothy to try and come before winter and closed the letter with blessing.


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