Thomas Aquinas — on 2Tim 4:17 (Commentary on 2 Timothy)

“Then when he says, "but the Lord stood by me," he shows what was done against him on God's part: first, he mentions his help; second, its effect, at "that all the gentiles may hear." He says, therefore: they have all forsaken me. But where men depart, God offers himself: "for my father and my mother have left me" (Ps 26:10); hence he says, "but the Lord stood by me," namely, to help me: "but the Lord is with me as a strong warrior" (Jer 20:11); "he is at my right hand, that it be not moved" (Ps 15:8). And how? "He strengthened me" by giving me strength of soul not to be dazzled by Caesar: "the hand of the Lord was with me strengthening me" (Es 3:14). And this, "that by me the preaching may be accomplished," which is accomplished when it is spread abroad to many, and when that which is spoken is fulfilled in work: "this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15). Then when he says, "that all the gentiles may hear," he describes the effect of God's help: first, in regard to the past; second, in regard to the future; third, he expresses thanks. But there are two benefits in regard to the past, namely, freedom from guilt and from punishment. He says, therefore: the Lord stood by me; hence, in that instance he was freed, because he was not condemned by Caesar, but was permitted to go where he wished. Consequently, he says: "that all the gentiles may hear" that the others with him had the courage to come: "declare his glory among the gentiles" (Ps 95:3) and that the uprising of the Jews had been quelled. And he continues, "I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion," i.e., from Nero's cruelty: "as the roaring of a lion, so is the anger of a king" (Prov 19:12); "as a roaring lion and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people" (Prov 28:15).”