2Ti 4:17 | TNotes | STEP | 4:17 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 ; 26:1-29 ; see also 2 Tim 2:9-10 ; Phil 1:12-14 ). • for all the Gentiles to hear: Paul sensed that he had completed his task (2 Tim 4:7-8 ). The Old Testament specifically anticipates the conversion of the nations (e.g., Ps 22:27-29 ). • from certain death (literally from the mouth of a lion ): The lion is often a metaphor for enemies (see Pss 7:2 ; 35:17 ; cp. Dan 6 ; Heb 11:33 ). Here, it might refer to literal lions in the amphitheater, to the emperor, to the false teachers, or to Satan (1 Pet 5:8 ; cp. Ps 22:21 ).

a4:17►

bActs 22:1–24:27►

c26:1-29►

d2 Tim 2:9-10►

ePhil 1:12-14►

f2 Tim 4:7-8►

gPs 22:27-29►

hPss 7:2►

i35:17►

jDan 6►

kHeb 11:33►

l1 Pet 5:8►

mPs 22:21►

‏ 2 Timothy 4:17

4:17 ^a 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 ^b; 26:1-29 ^c; see also 2 Tim 2:9-10 ^d; Phil 1:12-14 ^e).

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

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