2 Timothy 4:17-22 (NKJV) But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
21 Do your utmost to come before winter.
Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
V17 “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”
Paul, going through all his afflictions and imprisonment, testifies that the Lord has not left him (Hebrews 13:5). People, in general, might show great loyalty but only the Lord shows totally and lifelong loyalty. The Lord = the Lord Jesus. The Greek word for “stood with” is (G3936) παριστάνω paristánō and παρίστημι parístēmi, which means literally standing besides and used in many applications. Here, it carries the idea of loyalty, presence, assistance, comfort, etc. The idea of strengthening shows the assisting grace of God in circumstances. We may not think He is present, but He is. Paul wanted to preach the Gospel and teach, but in physical difficulties and discouragement, he could not continue without God’s help. Note, his strong desire to preach the Gospel to all people, yet he understands that it is not realistic at the present to preach to the world, but he can and does preach to the guards, etc. Let us all show such faithfulness. God is with us, too.
V18 “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” The Greek word for “deliver” is (G4506) ῥύομαι rhúomai, which means deliverance and rescue someone from danger. Rescue may come in this life, death, or the Rapture. No matter how bleak the circumstances, He is here. Evil work is the fullest sense is the spiritual warfare of discouragement, weakness, diversions, recall of painful memories, etc. All of these are the schemes of the devil (2 Corinthians 2:11 and Ephesians 6:11). The Greek word for “preserve” is (G4982) σώζω sṓzō, which means to save and deliver. Here, deliverance from spiritual loss, so preserve. We are preserved by the Holy Spirit within us. Compare Proverbs 18:10 and Psalm 23. God’s heavenly kingdom is what we pray for (Matthew 6:10), what is promised to us (John 14:1-2), and will be present of earth for a thousand years (Isaiah 2:1-4 and Zechariah 14. God and His promises are so overwhelmingly wonderful we have no other emotion of thankfulness then to praise Him, “To Him be glory forever and ever.”
V19 “Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.” Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila are a missionary couple, who (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) “… left their home in Rome for Corinth when the emperor Claudius commanded all Jews to depart from the city (Acts 18:2). Thus, they were fellow passengers of the apostle Paul from Corinth to Ephesus (Acts 18:18), where they met Apollos and instructed him further in the Christian faith (Acts 18:26).”
The summary for Onesiphorus: (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) a Christian from Ephesus who befriended the apostle Paul (2 Tim. 1:16–18; 4:18). Not only did Onesiphorus minister to Paul while the apostle was in Ephesus; he also ministered to Paul during his imprisonment in Rome (2 Tim. 1:17). Onesiphorus overcame any fears he had for his own safety to visit and minister to Paul in prison. Unable to repay Onesiphorus for his “mercy,” Paul prayed that he might “find mercy from the Lord in that Day” (2 Tim. 1:18), referring to the Judgment Day.”
V20 “Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.” Erastus is the city of Corinth’s treasurer (Romans 16:23). He is a believer and helps Paul (Acts 19:22). Trophimus is a Gentile convert from Paul’s preaching, a companion of Paul (Acts 20:4) in Asia (SW Turkey), and went with Paul to Jerusalem. Certain Jews lied about him saying that he had been in the Temple (Acts 21:29). At the time of the writing of 2 Timothy, he is sick. Miletus is south of Ephesus on the Mediterranean Sea.
V21 “Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.” He wishes for Timothy to come before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia are Gentile converts in the Roman church. Some believe that Claudia is the wife of Pudens while others believe she is wife of Rufus (Mark15:21 and Romans 16:13). Rufus may have been the name of two different people.
V22 “The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” Pauls last written words. Even though Paul knows the Lord Jesus Christ will be with Timothy, he prays. Why? To show Paul’s desire for Timothy’s protection and strength for his spirit. We are need God’s assisting grace.