2Ti 4:16-17 | TNotes | STEP | 4:16 The first time I was brought before the judge: A Roman trial was divided between an initial, preliminary investigation and the trial proper. Paul was probably referring to the first of these. It could also refer to his first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28 ; see 2 Timothy Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”). • Everyone abandoned me: See study note on 2 Tim 4:10.

a4:16►

bActs 28►

c4:17►

dActs 22:1–24:27►

e26:1-29►

f2 Tim 2:9-10►

gPhil 1:12-14►

h2 Tim 4:7-8►

iPs 22:27-29►

jPss 7:2►

k35:17►

lDan 6►

mHeb 11:33►

n1 Pet 5:8►

oPs 22:21►

‏ 2 Timothy 4:16-17

4:16 ^a The first time I was brought before the judge: A Roman trial was divided between an initial, preliminary investigation and the trial proper. Paul was probably referring to the first of these. It could also refer to his first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28 ^b; see 2 Timothy Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”).

• Everyone abandoned me: See study note on 2 Tim 4:10.
4:17 ^c so that I might preach the Good News: Paul had turned his defense in court into proclamation of the Good News—just as in his earlier experiences (Acts 22:1–24:27 ^d; 26:1-29 ^e; see also 2 Tim 2:9-10 ^f; Phil 1:12-14 ^g).

• for all the Gentiles to hear: Paul sensed that he had completed his task (2 Tim 4:7-8 ^h). The Old Testament specifically anticipates the conversion of the nations (e.g., Ps 22:27-29 ⁱ).

• from certain death (literally from the mouth of a lion): The lion is often a metaphor for enemies (see Pss 7:2 ^j; 35:17 ^k; cp. Dan 6 ^l; Heb 11:33 ^m). Here, it might refer to literal lions in the amphitheater, to the emperor, to the false teachers, or to Satan (1 Pet 5:8 ⁿ; cp. Ps 22:21 ^o).