The interpretation timeline

2Tim 4:18

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

2 Patristic witnesses · 1 Orthodox witness · 1 Catholic witness

View
Patristic before A.D. 750
377 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500
Theophylact of Ohrid · c. 1055–1107 1126
“Before this He delivered me from bodily death; but since I have already preached sufficiently, henceforth, I hope, He will deliver me not from bodily death, since I am already "being poured out as a drink offering," but from every sin, that is, He will not allow me to grow weak before death, but will grant me to resist sin to the point of blood, which means to be delivered from the noetic lion. Thus, this last deliverance, when he was about to be handed over to death, is more important than the first, when he escaped death. That is, He will deliver me from every sin and preserve me there. For to be saved for the Heavenly Kingdom means to die for it here. "He who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (Jn. 12:25). This is true salvation, when we shine forth in this way. Here is a doxology to the Son, as also to the Father; for He is the Lord.”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on 2Tim 4:18 (Commentary on 2 Timothy) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1274
“Second, he was freed of guilt; hence he says, "the Lord has delivered me from every evil work." But some are freed from punishment but fall into the sin of denying the faith: "he delivered me from my strongest enemies and from them that hated me" (Ps 17:18). And this by God: "I cannot be continent, unless God give it" (Wis 8:21). In the future, "he will preserve me": "Israel is saved in the Lord with an eternal salvation" (Isa 45:17). And he says, "unto his heavenly kingdom": "I dispose to you as my Father has disposed to me a kingdom" (Luke 22:29); "my reward is great in heaven" (Matt 5:12). Accordingly, he gives thanks, saying, "to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen": "to the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever" (1 Tim 1:17).”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on 2Tim 4:18 (Commentary on 2 Timothy) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
Undated date unknown
Oecumenius · c. A.D. 550
“And the Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. and the Lord will rescue me. If He will deliver, how does He say, "I am already being poured out"? But see. Then indeed the Lord delivered Paul from Nero, but now no longer from Nero, (for enough has happened according to the Gospel,) but from every sin, that is, the Lord will not allow one who has been condemned in anything to perish. will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. Paul says, "He will snatch me from there, and will keep me." For this means, "He will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom." Therefore, this is the true salvation, when we shine there. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. See the doxology for the Son as well as for the Father elsewhere, and for the Spirit; here indeed is the Lord, namely the Son.”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on 2Tim 4:18 (COMMENTARY ON 2 TIMOTHY) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗

The reader meets the sources first; chronology and attribution do the work. Provenance is shown on every quotation — solid for hosted public domain, dashed for link-out.