2 Timothy Verse by Verse

2 Timothy 4:14-18 | Paul's Enemies

• Verse 14 --

  • This Alexander the coppersmith could be the same as the Alexander in Ephesus, who (Acts 19:32-34) who attempted (without success) to separate the Jews from the Apostle Paul in the mob celebrating Diana of the Ephesians. Paul had mentioned an Alexander in 1 Timothy 1:20, whom he had delivered unto Satan. It is possible that this is also the same person.

  • That this person is a Jew who had rejected Paul's teaching is likely, since Paul delivers him over to a reward that is according to his works.

    • “curse" would be unfitting for one in the body of Christ.

    • However, such a curse is common in Old Testament language (see 2 Sam. 3:39, Psalm 28:4, etc).

      
      

  • “name names," nor that one should never “say only nice things."

    
    

• Verse 15 --

  • “name names" was so that Timothy (and others who would read the letter) would beware. And the reason to beware was that he hath greatly withstood our words.

  • The use of the plural, our words“Pauline" in their doctrine.

  • Though this verse has specifics of individuals, those of us who hold Pauline theology should also understand that there are many (then and now) who oppose such doctrine.

    • Some have radically even gone so far as to suggest Paul should be removed from the scriptures.

    • “new perspectives" on Paul to try to get his teachings in harmony with the Kingdom gospel.

    • Most have simply reinterpreted Paul's clear teachings to be a muddled mess of grace and works.

    • And for those who hold Paul's theology strictly, prepare to have those, like Alexander, who will stand against our words.

      
      

• Verse 16 --

  • In a very different response from the previous, in which Paul prayed the Lord to reward him according to his works, Paul now speaks of his first answerἀπολογία [apologia], or defense), referring to his first trial. This was likely the unrecorded trial before Caesar.

  • Alexander greatly withstood our words (v. 15), a very aggressive action. Those in verse 16 fail to stand with me, a much more passive action, which forsook Paul nonetheless.

    • However, Paul prays that it may not be laid to their charge, a very gracious prayer.

      
      

• Verse 17 --

  • Though he was alone in the previous trial, Paul rejoices that the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.

    • This deliverance was out of the mouth of the lion.

    • This phrase can either mean that Paul was spared the death-by-lions in the amphitheater, from which a Roman citizen was protected, or Paul is using lion metaphorically for the Caesar.

      
      

  • The deliverance was done for a two-fold purpose:

    • That by me the preaching might be fuly known.

      • The word preaching is κήρυγμα [kerugma], with emphasis on proclamation.

      • It appears that God not only wanted to deliver the message unto Paul, but that He also wanted Paul to be the delivery-man of the message. This could be both by his actual preaching and by his letters.

      • Thankfully, we now have a first-hand account of Paul's words. This was the providence of God and a huge benefit to those who hold and defend Pauline theology.

        
        

    • Secondly, that all the Gentiles might hear.

      • Whether the word ἔθνος [ethnos] is used in its narrow manner of non-Jew or its broader manner of all-nations has no real impact on the meaning of the words. God wanted Pauline theology to be spread to all.

        
        

• Verse 18 --

  • This confident remark is partially perplexing. Earlier Paul had stated that he was ready to be offered and that his death was near (2 Timothy 4:6). Here he claims that the Lord will deliver me from every evil work. We have several options:

    • He is not speaking of the work of the Roman government, but rather of the evil work of his theological enemies. The word every doesn't support this well.

    • He doesn't use the word deliver in the sense of physical deliverance but rather spiritual deliverance. The strongest case that the word can be used this way is Matthew 6:13. However, the word can also be used in a physical manner, as in Matthew 27:43. Zechariah uses the word in connection with enemies in a physical sense in Luke 1:74. Paul himself uses the term in a physical sense in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10.

    • Perhaps he is using this physically and believes that he will not die at the hands of his enemies. If this is the case, then the traditional teachings about the death of Paul must be discarded.

      
      

  • Paul also believed he would be saved unto his heavenly kingdom. The English word preserve is σῴζω [sozo], which is to save. Two things should be noted:

    • Paul does not at all believe that he is currently in the Kingdom, but that this is something future. If the word heavenly“spiritual and not physical" then he would have said that he was already saved in the heavenly kingdom. The word heavenly refers to the source of the kingdom.

    • Paul certainly believed that he had a place in the coming Kingdom and in the Body of Christ. This does not prove that members of the body of Christ are recipients of the kingdom, but rather than Jews who are believers under the pattern of Paul and faithful to the requirements of the Kingdom can experience both blessings.

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    2 Timothy 4:19-22 | Paul's Closing Comments