2 Timothy 4:18

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ῥύσεταί shall deliver G4506
ῥύσεταί shall deliver
Strong's: G4506
Word #: 2 of 26
compare g4511); to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e., rescue
με me G3165
με me
Strong's: G3165
Word #: 3 of 26
me
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος the Lord G2962
κύριος the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 5 of 26
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἀπὸ from G575
ἀπὸ from
Strong's: G575
Word #: 6 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
παντὸς every G3956
παντὸς every
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 7 of 26
all, any, every, the whole
ἔργου work G2041
ἔργου work
Strong's: G2041
Word #: 8 of 26
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
πονηροῦ evil G4190
πονηροῦ evil
Strong's: G4190
Word #: 9 of 26
hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 10 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σώσει will preserve G4982
σώσει will preserve
Strong's: G4982
Word #: 11 of 26
to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)
εἰς for G1519
εἰς for
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 12 of 26
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείαν kingdom G932
βασιλείαν kingdom
Strong's: G932
Word #: 14 of 26
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's: G846
Word #: 15 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 16 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπουράνιον· heavenly G2032
ἐπουράνιον· heavenly
Strong's: G2032
Word #: 17 of 26
above the sky
ᾧ to whom G3739
ᾧ to whom
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 18 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 19 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξα be glory G1391
δόξα be glory
Strong's: G1391
Word #: 20 of 26
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
εἰς for G1519
εἰς for
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 21 of 26
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τοὺς G3588
τοὺς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 22 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰώνων and ever G165
αἰώνων and ever
Strong's: G165
Word #: 23 of 26
properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰώνων and ever G165
αἰώνων and ever
Strong's: G165
Word #: 25 of 26
properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)
ἀμήν Amen G281
ἀμήν Amen
Strong's: G281
Word #: 26 of 26
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

Analysis & Commentary

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. Paul concludes with confident affirmation. "The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work" (rhusetai me ho kyrios apo pantos ergou ponērou, ῥύσεταί με ὁ κύριος ἀπὸ παντὸς ἔργου πονηροῦ). Future tense asserts certainty. Ponēros ergon (πονηροῦ ἔργον) means evil work—not every trial but every evil's ultimate success. God won't prevent Paul's execution but will ensure no evil truly defeats him. Death itself becomes deliverance, not defeat.

"And will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom" (kai sōsei eis tēn basileian autou tēn epouranion, καὶ σώσει εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ τὴν ἐπουράνιον). Sōzō (σώζω) means save, preserve, keep safe. Epouranios (ἐπουράνιος) means heavenly—not earthly kingdom but eternal, resurrection kingdom. This is ultimate deliverance: safe arrival in glory. Paul knows earthly death approaches, but true deliverance—safe passage into Christ's presence—is guaranteed. Martyrdom becomes coronation, execution becomes entrance into glory.

This confidence produces worship: "to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (hō hē doxa eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn, amēn, ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, ἀμήν). Doxa (δόξα) means glory. "Eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn" (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων) literally means "unto the ages of the ages"—eternity. Amēn (ἀμήν) means "truly, certainly"—affirming truth. Facing execution, Paul worships. Suffering doesn't diminish doxology but intensifies it. When earthly hopes fade, eternal glory shines brighter. Paul's example: authentic faith produces worship even in—especially in—darkest circumstances.

Historical Context

This doxology echoes many Pauline benedictions but carries special poignancy given context. Paul writes from death row, yet worships. Early Christians facing martyrdom consistently testified to peace and joy, confounding pagan observers. Pliny the Younger reported Christians sang hymns to Christ even under torture. Such supernatural peace validated gospel truth. Paul models this: confident in God's deliverance (whether through miraculous rescue or death into glory), he worships. The doxology reminds believers that God's glory, not personal comfort, is life's ultimate purpose. Suffering that brings God glory is success, not failure.

Questions for Reflection

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