2 Timothy 4:17 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Notwithstanding I was not left entirely destitute; for, though men forsook me, the Lord stood with me According to his promise, Luke 21:15; and strengthened me With that inward fortitude of mind which no human support could have inspired; that by me the preaching The gospel which we preach; might be fully known Πληροφορηθη, literally, might be carried with a full sail; that is, fully and boldly declared. That the apostle could thus courageously bear witness to the gospel when all his friends forsook him, and his enemies were so fiercely raging against him, was a glorious testimony to the honour of Christianity. And that all the Gentiles might hear This implies that he made his defence in a manner which he was persuaded would be taken notice of and reported abroad, much to the honour of that sacred cause which was dearer to him than his life. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion By the lion Nero is generally thought to be meant, or rather his prefect, Helius Cesarianus, to whom Nero committed the government of the city in his absence, with power to put whomsoever he pleased to death. But the expression may be understood proverbially, as denoting an escape from the greatest danger; in which sense it is used Psalms 22:21. And the Lord Whose power and faithfulness are always the same; shall deliver me from every evil work From all sin, and especially from doing any thing inconsistent with the honour of the gospel, and the salvation of my own soul; which is of far greater consequence than delivering me from death. And preserve me to his heavenly kingdom An infinitely better kingdom than that of Nero.