2Ti 4:17-18 | 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 ).

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).
4:18 ⁿ God would continue to strengthen Paul and keep him strong in the faith (4:7 ^o) to the end of his life (see 1:12 ^p).

• The Lord’s heavenly Kingdom contrasts with the earthly kingdom that was about to pass judgment on Paul (see also 4:1 ^q; 1 Cor 15:48-49 ^r; Heb 12:18-29 ^s).

• All glory ... Amen: Paul’s doxology in the face of execution expresses confidence that God’s glory will be upheld (cp. 1 Tim 1:17 ^t; 6:15-16 ^u).

• to God (literally to him): The Greek suggests that this praise is ascribed to “the Lord” of the preceding sentence—namely, to Jesus (cp. Titus 2:13 ^v).