16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:16-18 KJV)
The Lord Is Faithful
Paul gives Timothy an account of his present circumstances. He had recently appeared before the emperor in Rome, but at his first defense, no one stood with him to plead his cause or even to encourage him. “All men forsook me,” he said (2 Timothy 4:16). This was remarkable, considering that many Christians lived in Rome, whose faith was known throughout the world (Romans 1:8). Yet, when the moment of danger came, they shrank back, unwilling to risk suffering with him. Still, Paul prayed, “May it not be held against them,” showing his forgiving spirit and distinguishing between deliberate sins and those committed out of weakness. When Alexander the coppersmith maliciously opposed him, Paul said, “The Lord will repay him according to his deeds” (2 Timothy 4:14). But toward those who deserted him from fear, he prayed for mercy: “The Lord lay it not to their charge.”
Paul experienced not only opposition from enemies but also abandonment by friends. It was wrong for them not to stand with him in his trial, but their failure came from weakness rather than malice. Though men failed him, God did not. “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me,” he said (2 Timothy 4:17). God gave him wisdom and courage to defend himself and to use even that moment for preaching: “That through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.” Even before Caesar, Paul boldly testified of Christ, and thus the gospel reached places it otherwise might not have reached. He added, “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion,” likely referring either to Nero or to imminent death. He trusted that the same Lord who had delivered him would continue to do so: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18).
Paul rejoiced in this hope and gave glory to God: “To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.” His experience shows that when the Lord stands by us, His presence more than compensates for the absence of all others. God’s deliverances equip His servants for further ministry, as Paul’s preservation enabled him to preach more boldly. Past deliverances also strengthen our confidence in future ones. The Lord will preserve His faithful servants until they enter His heavenly kingdom, and He deserves all glory for every past, present, and future deliverance.