2 Timothy 4:17

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to Timothy from imprisonment, contrasting his abandonment at his first defense with the Lord's immediate intervention.

The words — The Greek παρὲστη (parestē) stands alone with the separate pronoun μοι (moi) to literally render "stood by me," while ἐνεδυνάμωσέν (enedynamōsen) means "He strengthened."

The thread — The lion imagery parallels the deliverance recorded in Psalms 22:21 and the warning against the devouring adversary in 1 Peter 5:8, while the gospel's successful advance mirrors the outcome noted in Philippians 1:12.

Why it lands — The text states that divine presence and empowerment enabled complete proclamation to the Gentiles and resulted in the speaker's deliverance from the lion, requiring the reader to acknowledge God's sovereign support in ministry rather than human loyalty.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel.
Psalms 22:21 Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild oxen You have answered me!
1 Samuel 17:37 David added, “The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” “Go,” said Saul, “and may the LORD be with you.”
Daniel 6:22 My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”
Acts 9:15 “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.
Acts 18:9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.
Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”
Psalms 109:31 For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from the condemners of his soul.
Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.