2 Timothy 4:18 kjv
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18 nkjv
And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
2 Timothy 4:18 niv
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 4:18 esv
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18 nlt
Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
2 Timothy 4 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 121:7 | The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. | God's protection from evil. |
| Psa 91:3 | For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. | God's specific deliverance. |
| Psa 34:19 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. | God delivers from all troubles. |
| Psa 23:4 | Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil... | God's presence and protection in danger. |
| Psa 118:6 | The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? | Confidence in the Lord's support. |
| Psa 32:7 | You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with shouts of deliverance. | God as protector and deliverer. |
| Psa 37:28 | For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever... | God's eternal preservation of His people. |
| 1 Pet 1:5 | ...who are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. | Believers are kept by God's power. |
| Jud 1:24 | Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless... | God's power to keep believers steadfast. |
| Phil 1:6 | And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. | God completes His work of salvation. |
| Col 1:13 | He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son... | Deliverance into God's kingdom. |
| 1 Thess 5:23 | Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless... | God preserves wholly unto His coming. |
| Heb 12:28 | Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken... | Heavenly kingdom is unshakable. |
| 2 Pet 1:11 | For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. | Assurance of entrance into eternal kingdom. |
| Eph 2:6 | and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus... | Current heavenly position in Christ. |
| Heb 11:16 | But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God... | Desire for the heavenly home. |
| Phil 3:20 | But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ... | Our true citizenship is heavenly. |
| Rom 11:36 | For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen. | Doxology to God for all things. |
| Rev 5:13 | To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever! | Universal praise to God and the Lamb. |
| 1 Tim 1:17 | To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. | Doxology for God's eternal nature. |
| Gal 1:5 | to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. | Short doxology. |
| Phil 4:20 | To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. | Another Pauline doxology. |
2 Timothy 4 verses
2 Timothy 4 18 Meaning
2 Timothy 4:18 encapsulates Paul's profound confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ's unfailing power to deliver him from all evil schemes and preserve him safely unto His glorious heavenly kingdom. It serves as a doxological expression of worship, acknowledging God's eternal sovereignty and worthiness of all praise. This verse speaks of ultimate rescue and ultimate destiny, assured by the Lord's omnipotence and faithfulness.
2 Timothy 4 18 Context
This verse is part of Paul's final charge and testament to Timothy, written from a Roman prison during his second imprisonment, likely facing imminent martyrdom. Chapter 4 depicts Paul as a faithful servant concluding his earthly race, having fought the good fight and kept the faith (2 Tim 4:7). He anticipates his departure (2 Tim 4:6) and desires Timothy to join him. Amidst challenges, desertion by some (2 Tim 4:9-10), and opposition from figures like Alexander the coppersmith (2 Tim 4:14), Paul expresses unwavering confidence in the Lord. Verse 18 directly follows Paul's experience of being deserted and having the Lord stand by him and strengthen him (2 Tim 4:16-17). Thus, it is a testament of Paul's personal experience of divine intervention, leading to his certainty of ultimate deliverance and preservation for his heavenly destiny, despite physical trials.
2 Timothy 4 18 Word analysis
- And the Lord (Kai ho Kyrios): The conjunction "And" connects this statement directly to the preceding narrative of God's immediate past help (2 Tim 4:17). "The Lord" (ho Kyrios) in Pauline contexts predominantly refers to Jesus Christ, particularly in resurrection and lordship aspects. It emphasizes Christ's divine authority, power, and sovereign control over all circumstances, as experienced by Paul firsthand.
- will deliver me (hrysatai me): From rhyomai, meaning "to rescue," "to snatch out," "to draw to oneself," often implying rescue from danger or evil. The future tense expresses Paul's confident expectation and assurance, not merely a hope. This deliverance encompasses more than physical escape, indicating rescue from the destructive power and effects of evil.
- from every evil work (ek pantos ergou ponērou): "Every" (pas) signifies comprehensive deliverance from all forms, manifestations, and sources of evil activity. "Evil work" (ergon ponēron) denotes any action, scheme, or influence that is malicious, wicked, or destructive, whether originating from human adversaries, Satan, or the forces of darkness. Paul acknowledges the reality of such threats but affirms the Lord's absolute power over them.
- and will preserve me (kai sōsei me): "Preserve" (sōzō) means "to save," "to keep safe," "to bring safely through," "to heal," "to restore." Paired with "deliver," it forms a strong duo, emphasizing not just rescue from, but active maintenance and protection into. This indicates God's continuous and active safeguarding presence, ensuring Paul's ultimate spiritual well-being.
- unto His heavenly kingdom (eis tēn basileian autou tēn epouranion): This specifies the ultimate destination and culmination of God's preservation. "His kingdom" (referring to Christ's) is the ultimate realm of divine rule. "Heavenly" (epouranios) highlights its divine, spiritual, and eternal nature, in contrast to earthly realms or temporary persecutions. It's the secure and glorious eternal home awaiting the faithful.
- to whom be glory (hō hē doxa): This is a doxology, an ascription of praise and honor. "Glory" (doxa) signifies splendor, majesty, praise, and honor that rightly belongs to God alone. Paul concludes his declaration of faith with worship, attributing all power and the ultimate victory to Christ.
- for ever and ever (eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn): Literally "unto the ages of the ages," this Hebraic idiom is the strongest possible expression for eternity, boundless time, endless duration. It means for all eternity, underscoring the unending nature of God's glory and the perpetuity of His reign and character.
- Amen (Amēn): A transliteration from Hebrew, meaning "so be it," "truly," "it is certain." It serves as a strong affirmation of truth and a fervent wish that the preceding doxology and declaration be realized. It seals Paul's confidence and praise with unwavering conviction.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And the Lord will deliver me... and will preserve me": This pairing emphasizes the completeness of God's safeguarding action. "Deliver" (rescue from immediate danger) and "preserve" (ensure ongoing safety and arrival at the destination) speak to both the short-term struggles and the long-term spiritual security promised by the Lord. It signifies active divine intervention.
- "from every evil work and unto His heavenly kingdom": This highlights the comprehensive scope of God's intervention – from any present earthly malevolence to a guaranteed eternal, divine destination. It frames life's struggles within the context of a glorious divine purpose and a secure eternal future.
- "to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen": This concluding doxology shifts the focus from Paul's personal situation to the ultimate glory of God. It affirms that the Lord's power, faithfulness, and the secure heavenly destiny provided are all for His own praise and honor, recognizing His eternal supremacy.
2 Timothy 4 18 Bonus section
The emphasis on "the Lord" in this verse, specifically after Paul's description of being strengthened by the Lord Jesus Christ in 2 Timothy 4:17, reinforces the divine sovereignty and active role of Christ in the believer's life and ultimate destiny. Paul is not looking to an abstract divine power, but to the personal, Risen Lord who has been faithful to him throughout his ministry. His assurance is thus rooted in an intimate, experienced relationship with Jesus. This personal dimension of divine care, active amidst specific human treachery and vulnerability, elevates the promise of future preservation from a theological concept to a lived reality. This also contrasts with any pagan belief in arbitrary fate or impersonal gods, asserting the benevolent and powerful personal God of Israel.
2 Timothy 4 18 Commentary
2 Timothy 4:18 stands as a magnificent expression of profound faith and unshakeable confidence, written from the brink of martyrdom. Paul, despite facing earthly condemnation and betrayal, shifts his gaze from temporal threats to eternal assurance. He knows the "evil work" of his persecutors cannot thwart God's ultimate plan for him. His faith is not in his own strength or cleverness but entirely in "the Lord" – his Risen Savior Jesus Christ, who had stood by him earlier (v. 17). This confidence stems not from denial of danger but from a certainty of God's ultimate power to intervene.
The twin actions "deliver" and "preserve" signify both a rescue from imminent peril and a secure passage to the ultimate spiritual destination. Paul’s true enemy is not Caesar but the spiritual forces behind "every evil work." The culmination of God's protection is the entry into "His heavenly kingdom," emphasizing that his true citizenship and destiny are not in earthly Rome but in the divine, eternal reign of Christ. This promise extends beyond physical safety; it speaks to the preservation of his soul and spirit unto glory.
The verse climaxes with a robust doxology, attributing "glory for ever and ever" to the Lord. This demonstrates Paul's conviction that everything, including his trials, tribulations, and ultimate salvation, serves to magnify God's majesty and honor. It is a declaration that the Lord is eternally worthy of all praise for His faithfulness and power. This doxology turns what could be a lament into a declaration of victory and worship, a profound example for all believers enduring trials.
- Practical application example: When faced with seemingly overwhelming difficulties or personal attacks, a believer can anchor their hope not in human strength or circumstances, but in the Lord's assured deliverance and preservation unto the heavenly kingdom, giving Him glory.
- Practical application example: This verse encourages perseverance in faith, reminding believers that even if physical trials escalate to martyrdom, ultimate salvation and entrance into God's kingdom are secure, guaranteed by the faithful Lord.