2 Timothy 4:17

“Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, etc.] Either personally appearing to him, as in (<442311>Acts 23:11) or by the ministry of an angel, (<442723>Acts 27:23,24) or else by granting him his gracious presence, which was what Christ had not when he was forsaken by his disciples: the presence of God or Christ is more than all friends whatever, and is often enjoyed by the believer, when they drop him; and is a bulwark against all enemies and fears of them; if God is with him, and on his side, though friends fail, and enemies rage, he has nothing to fear: and strengthened me; inwardly with strength in his soul, with might in his inward man, unto all longsuffering with joyfulness: he was weak…”

“the Lord--the more because men deserted me. stood with me--stronger than "came forward with me" (Greek, Ti2 4:16). strengthened--Greek, "put strength in me." by me--"through me"; through my means. One single occasion is often of the greatest moment. the preaching--"the Gospel proclamation." might be fully known--might be fully made (see on Ti2 4:5). that all the Gentiles--present at my trial, "might hear" the Gospel proclaimed then. Rome was the capital of the Gentile world, so that a proclamation of the truth to the Romans was likely to go forth to the rest of the Gentile world. I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion--namely, Satan, the roaring, devouring lion (Luk 22:31; Pe1 5:8). I…”

“Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me - Though all “men” forsook me, yet “God” did not. This expresses a universal truth in regard to the faithfulness of God; see Psalms 27:10; compare Job 5:17-19; Isaiah 14:1-2. That by me the preaching might be fully known - The word “preaching,” here probably means “the gospel as preached by him.” The word rendered “might be fully known” - πληροφορηθῃ plērophorē̄thē - means “might obtain full credence;” that is, might be fully confirmed, so that others might be assured of its truth. The apostle doubtless means that on his trial, though forsaken by all men, he was enabled to be so steadfast in his profession of the truth, and so calm in the prospect…”

“The preaching - The gospel which we preach. 2 Timothy 4:18”

“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).”

“the Lord: Psa 37:39, Psa 37:40, Psa 109:31; Jer 15:20, Jer 15:21, Jer 20:10, Jer 20:11; Mat 10:19; Act 18:9, Act 18:10; Act 23:11, Act 27:23, Act 27:24 strengthened: Isa 41:10, Isa 41:14; Co2 12:9 by: Luk 21:15; Act 9:15, Act 26:17, Act 26:18; Rom 16:25, Rom 16:26; Eph 3:8; Phi 1:12-14 and I: Psa 22:21; Pro 20:2, Pro 28:15; Jer 2:30; Dan 6:22, Dan 6:27; Heb 11:33; Pe1 5:8; Pe2 2:9 2 Timothy 4:18”