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.

Cross-reference

2 Timothy 3:11 summarizes the Lord's deliverance from all persecutions, which this verse exemplifies with the lion's mouth.

2 Peter 2:9 Parallel

2 Peter 2:9 states God knows how to rescue the godly, which Paul's deliverance exemplifies in this verse.

Acts 9:15 Historical context

Acts 9:15 reveals Paul's calling as a chosen instrument to bear Christ's name before Gentiles—here he is fulfilling that mission.

Daniel 6:27 Parallel

Daniel 6:27 declares God rescues and saves from lions, affirming that the same God delivered Paul in this verse.

Daniel 6:22 Typology

Daniel 6:22 recounts Daniel's deliverance from literal lions, prefiguring Paul's rescue from the 'lion's mouth' here.

Acts 18:9 Parallel

In Acts 18:9, the Lord tells Paul in a vision to keep speaking — same encouraging presence he later relied on in 2 Timothy 4:17.

In Jeremiah 20:11, the Lord is with Jeremiah as a dread warrior — parallels the Lord strengthening Paul so his message prevailed.

Acts 18:10 Parallel

In Acts 18:10, God promises protection in Corinth — Paul's rescue in 2 Timothy 4:17 echoes that same divine presence.

In Jeremiah 15:21, God promises to deliver Jeremiah from the wicked — mirrors Paul's rescue from the lion's mouth.

In Jeremiah 15:20, God promises to make Jeremiah a fortified wall — same divine strengthening and deliverance Paul experienced at his trial.

Acts 23:11 Parallel

In Acts 23:11, the Lord stood by Paul and said 'Take courage' — directly parallels 'the Lord stood by me' in 2 Timothy 4:17.

Acts 26:17 Historical context

Acts 26:17 records Christ's commission to deliver and send Paul to the Gentiles—the Lord standing by him here accomplishes that.

Isaiah 41:10 records God's promise to strengthen and uphold His servant—Paul testifies to that same divine strengthening here.

Acts 27:23 Parallel

In Acts 27:23, an angel stood by Paul in the storm — another instance of divine presence and encouragement in crisis.

Psalm 109:31 depicts God standing at the right hand of the needy to save them — exactly what Paul describes when the Lord stood by him and rescued him.

2 Corinthians 12:9 records Paul learning that Christ's power is perfected in weakness—here he experiences that strengthening firsthand.

Ephesians 3:8 Historical context

Ephesians 3:8 describes Paul's grace to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles—this is the very task he completes here.

Psalm 37:40 Allusion

Psalm 37:40 promises deliverance for those who take refuge in the Lord — Paul's rescue from the lion's mouth is that deliverance in action.

Psalm 37:39 Allusion

Psalm 37:39 says the Lord is a stronghold in trouble — Paul's experience of the Lord standing by and rescuing him directly matches this.

In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul's imprisonment advanced the gospel—the same outcome as his rescue here enabled the full proclamation.

Psalm 22:21 Allusion

Psalm 22:21 provides the exact OT imagery of rescue from the lion's mouth that Paul echoes here.

Hebrews 11:33 lists those who by faith 'stopped the mouths of lions,' placing Paul's rescue in the same faith tradition.

John 8:29 Parallel

John 8:29 has Jesus say 'He who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone' — Paul shares that same confidence of divine companionship.

John 16:32 Parallel

John 16:32 shows Jesus alone yet with the Father — Paul, deserted by all, likewise finds the Lord standing by him.

Acts 4:29 Parallel

Acts 4:29 directly asks for boldness to speak God's word despite threats, paralleling Paul being strengthened to proclaim fully.

Haggai 2:4 Parallel

In Haggai 2:4, God commands strength with 'I am with you' — the same divine enablement Paul testifies to here.

Acts 20:24 Parallel

Acts 20:24 reveals Paul's commitment to finish his course and testify, matching the strengthening to fully proclaim in 2 Tim 4:17.

Romans 15:19 says Paul fulfilled the gospel ministry; 2 Tim 4:17 also speaks of fully proclaiming the message, showing completion.

Acts 28:31 Parallel

Acts 28:31 depicts Paul proclaiming boldly without hindrance, mirroring the full proclamation of the message in 2 Tim 4:17.

Acts 26:22 Parallel

Acts 26:22 has Paul stating he has had God's help to testify, directly paralleling the Lord standing by him in 2 Tim 4:17.

Matthew 10:18 Prophetic fulfillment

Matthew 10:18 predicts disciples testifying before Gentiles — Paul's proclamation to all Gentiles here fulfills that commission.

1 Samuel 17:37: David trusts God who delivered him from lion and bear. Paul echoes that confidence, claiming rescue from the lion's mouth by the Lord.

Psalm 69:20 Contrast

Psalm 69:20 describes having no comforters — in contrast, Paul finds the Lord standing with him when human help fails.

Psalm 91:13 Allusion

Psalm 91:13 promises victory over the lion — Paul's rescue from the lion's mouth exemplifies that divine protection.

Psalm 91:15 Allusion

Psalm 91:15 promises God's presence and rescue in trouble — precisely what Paul experienced when the Lord stood with him.

Isaiah 41:13 promises God upholds and helps — the same divine strengthening Paul experienced when the Lord stood by him.

Jeremiah 1:8 has God promising to be with Jeremiah to deliver him — directly echoing Paul's rescue and strengthening.

Jeremiah 42:11 promises deliverance from the king of Babylon — directly parallels Paul's rescue from the lion's mouth as divine salvation.

1 Samuel 17:35 shows David rescuing a lamb from a lion's mouth. Paul uses the same 'lion's mouth' imagery for his own deliverance.

Matthew 28:20 promises 'I am with you always' — Paul's 'Lord stood by me' is a direct experience of that promise.

Psalm 94:17 Parallel

Psalm 94:17 credits God's help for avoiding death — Paul's deliverance from the lion's mouth is a similar rescue.

In Matthew 6:13, Jesus teaches to pray 'deliver us from evil' — Paul's rescue from the lion's mouth is an answered version of that prayer.

Isaiah 43:2 Parallel

Isaiah 43:2 assures God's presence through trials — paralleling Paul's rescue from the lion's mouth as a deliverance.

In Jeremiah 20:10, his close friends watch for his fall — Paul also faced abandonment (2 Timothy 4:16) but God stood by him.

Proverbs 29:25 warns that fear of man is a snare — Paul, by trusting the Lord, was strengthened and delivered.

Psalm 142:5 Parallel

Psalm 142:5 declares the Lord as refuge and portion — Paul's testimony that the Lord stood with him echoes that reliance.

Romans 16:25 Related theme

Romans 16:25 speaks of God who strengthens according to the gospel—Paul is strengthened here for that same gospel proclamation.

1 Timothy 1:12 thanks Christ for enabling Paul for ministry, mirroring the strengthening for preaching in this verse.

Ezra 7:28 Parallel

In Ezra 7:28, Ezra takes courage because the Lord's hand is on him — mirroring Paul's strengthening by the Lord.

In 2 Chronicles 32:8, Hezekiah says the Lord helps and fights battles — similar to Paul's confidence that the Lord stood by him.

1 Peter 5:8 Parallel

1 Peter 5:8 identifies the devil as a roaring lion, adding a spiritual dimension to the threat Paul was rescued from here.

Psalm 29:11 Parallel

In Psalm 29:11, the Lord gives strength to his people — the same strengthening Paul experienced.