2 Timothy 4:18
What does 2 Timothy 4:18 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 4:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 4:18 means
Paul expresses settled confidence: the Lord will rescue him from every evil deed and bring him safely into His heavenly kingdom. This does not necessarily mean escape from execution; rather, it means protection from the evil one’s designs and final salvation. God’s deliverance may look like strength to endure and a faithful finish. Paul bursts into doxology—glory to the Lord forever—because assurance of God’s preserving grace leads naturally to praise. Timothy is to anchor his courage here: God’s sovereign care outlasts earthly threats, and the path of obedience ends, not in defeat, but in the presence and reign of the King.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The Lord will keep me safe from every evil work and will give me salvation in his kingdom in heaven: to whom be glory for ever and ever. So be it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the Lord shall free me from every evil work, and shall save <FI>me<Fi> --to his heavenly kingdom; to whom <FI>is<Fi> the glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Lord hath delivered me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The Lord shall deliver me from every wicked work, and shall preserve [me] for his heavenly kingdom; to whom [be] glory for the ages of ages. Amen.
Context
Flowing from the testimony of verse 17, verse 18 shifts from past deliverance to future certainty. It summarizes the letter’s consolations for Timothy: despite false teachers, opposition, and abandonment, the Lord preserves His servants and secures their entrance into His kingdom. With praise offered, Paul turns in verses 19–21 to greetings and final logistical notes, before concluding with a benediction in verse 22. The theological core now frames the personal closings that follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Samuel 25:39
And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be Jehovah, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept back his servant from evil: and the evil-doing of Nabal hath Jehovah returned upon his own head. And David sent and spake concerning Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
- 1 Timothy 1:17
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
- Galatians 1:5
to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
- Psalms 73:24
Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
- Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
- Genesis 48:16
the angel who hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
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