Skipping down a few verses in 2 Timothy 4 (from the previous article), we learn more about Paul’s recent struggles before he sent this letter.
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:16-18 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ti.4.16-18.NIV
Apparently, Paul went to trial (or maybe a hearing, per the study guide), but he ended up on his own. Rather than calling down fire from heaven on those who left him, though, Paul asks for forgiveness to be extended to them, not unlike some of Jesus’ words on the cross (see Luke 23:34).
Even if Paul appeared to be standing all by himself in a Roman courtroom, though, God was with him.
It’s possible that Paul’s support from God at this trial [or hearing] was what delayed Paul’s execution, so that he could continue to speak the truth about Jesus. However, in light of Paul’s “trial testimonies” to Festus and Agrippa (see Acts 25-26), it sounds to me like Paul may have (also?) used his own trial to share the good news about Jesus, taking what probably looked – to a fallen world – like a failure, and turning it into an opportunity for evangelism.
If he did so, though, Paul didn’t do this on his own. He hadn’t just read a really good book on witnessing to others, or taken a 4-week class about sharing his faith at the local church. Those aren’t bad things to learn from, but there’s no replacement for how Paul ultimately succeeded: Paul received strength from God.
I suspect that Paul asked for God’s help, and we can do the same. If you don’t think that you could share the good news of Jesus Christ with a totally non-Christian – or even hostile – audience, remember that maybe Paul couldn’t either…without God’s strength.
So, what if you and I asked God not just for opportunities to share the good news, but also for His presence and His power in us to do so? Can you imagine what might happen? Think about that for a minute. Then, consider that God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (see Ephesians 3:20), and consider what more He might have in store if we ask Him.
Paul trusted God, and he knew that God would rescue him, just like God rescued Daniel from the lions in Darius’s den (see Daniel 6). The study guide implies that Nero might have actually tried to feed Paul to the lions. Or, this might also just be a simple reference to Paul having been spared from an immediate execution. [See Moss, p. 247] However, God rescued Paul, and Paul gave Him the glory.
By the way, do you remember what David told Saul when David wanted to go and fight Goliath (see 1 Samuel 17:32-37)? As a shepherd, David knew that God had helped him kill a lion and a bear, and that gave David confidence to take on Goliath. Examples of God’s past faithfulness help reinforce our confidence in His eternal faithfulness.
Paul’s faith in God’s faithfulness was a key source of Paul’s confidence, and knowing that God would come through for Paul – even if that path went through suffering and eventually physical death for Paul – inspired Paul to give God glory.
That same God is faithful and loving to us, and it is incumbent upon us to give Him the glory, both in praise and through our testimony, and in submitting our will to Him.
So, let’s not just try to force ourselves to do God’s will, but rather ask God for the strength, power, and words to speak – and to live out – the truth wherever and whenever it is needed. Perhaps this will result in us sharing the gospel with boldness: not just bravado or false confidence, but in the strength and power that only comes from the God who always remains faithful.
And, let’s give God the glory. He deserves the credit not only for our salvation, but also for all that He empowers us to do as we walk in His purpose. And, in addition to glorifying Him for what He has done, we can glorify Him for who He is. Only the loving, faithful, personal, and consistent God can be trusted to restore us to Himself, taking care of us here on earth, and – at the right time – bringing us to His “heavenly kingdom” (see 2 Timothy 4:18), where righteousness reigns.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for April 13, 2025
References:
- 1717 Bible Studies, 2 Timothy, © 2025 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1, 2 Timothy & Titus, by C. Michael Moss. © 1994 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 