Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 53

Paul Declares the Faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ Act 1

2 Timothy 4:17 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.  KJV

Although Paul found himself alone at his first defence against the evil Roman Government, yet he was never alone, because our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ was with him at every twist and turn of his earthly sojourn since He knocked him off his horse or donkey on the Demascus Road (Acts 9:3-6); so Paul declares with these words first the faithfulness of Christ Jesus our Lord, "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." (2 Timothy 4:17) (KJV). The little English phrase 'stood with' is translated by the Greek words paristēmi paristanō meaning (as used here) to stand beside, that is, (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specifically) recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; aid and assist. The English word 'strengthened' is translated by the Greek word endunamoō meaning to empower: - enable, increase in strength, make strong. The English phrase 'might be fully known' is translated by the Greek word plērophoreō meaning to carry out fully (in evidence), that is, completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish: - make full proof of.

In other words, the Apostle Paul (though alone and absent of any human company) was aided and assisted by our Lord Jesus Christ who stood beside him the whole time of his ordeal at Rome and not only did He stand by Paul, but He empowered Paul and made him strong to endure the evil treatment he was enduring at the hand of the devil through the Emperor Nero. Let us remember that it was our Lord Jesus Christ who told Paul that He must go to Rome at this very time in his earthly pilgrimage, as it is written with these words, "And dissension arising, the chiliarch, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and to take him from among them by force, and to bring him into the fortress. And the following night the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer, Paul, for as you have testified of Me in Jerusalem, so you also must bear witness at Rome." (Acts 23:10-11) ( Modern King James Version). We see from this encounter with the Jews that Paul was then almost killed by these men, yet he was rescued and delivered by our Lord Jesus Christ because it was His will for Paul to get to Rome to bear witness of Him there. So we see that when the will of God is obeyed, the grace of God will be supplied in order that whatever evil is encountered, the child of God will be able to endure and carry out the will of God to completion.

Our Lord Jesus wanted the Gentiles of Rome to hear the Gospel and so did Paul declare it there for two (2) whole years being at first under house arrest, but able to receive visitors as it is written for us by Dr. Luke with these words, "Therefore be it known to you that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will hear. And he having said these words, the Jews departed, having much discussion amongst themselves. And Paul remained two years in his own hired house. And he welcomed all who came in to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching those things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom, and without hindrance." (Acts 28:28-31) (Modern King James Version). When Paul says that he was, 'delivered out of the mouth of the lion', it is a metaphor, that is, A figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity, and in this case the lion represents Satan working through the misguided Jews in Ephesus (Acts 19:21-41) (Acts 23:12-22) and the evil Emperor Nero in Rome all trying and even plotting to kill Paul, yet our Lord Jesus Christ was with Paul and no system, scheme, or strategy of the devil ever worked until Paul had finished his course and done the will of God on this earth. Our Lord Jesus is the one who holds every breath of every lung in every chest and determines if another will be taken, not the devil or any of his invisible devils or two-legged devils on the earth.

Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "When all human help failed, God, in a more remarkable manner, interposed; and thus the excellency plainly appeared to be of God, and not of man. When called on to make his defense he took occasion to preach the Gospel, and to show that the great God of heaven and earth had designed to illuminate the Gentile world with the rays of His light and glory. This must have endeared him to some, while others might consider him an opposer of their gods, and be the more incensed against him. I escaped the imminent danger at that time. Probably he was seized in a tumultuous manner, and expected to be torn to pieces. The words to be rescued from the mouth or jaws of the lion, are a proverbial form of speech for deliverance from the most imminent danger. Several writers think Nero to be intended by the lion, because of his rage and oppressive cruelty. But Helius Caesarinus was at this time prefect of the city; Nero being in Greece. He was a bloody tyrant, and Nero had given him the power of life and death in his absence. The Apostle may mean him, if the words be not proverbial."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…




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