4:16 It was customary under Roman law for accused prisoners to have a preliminary hearing before their trial. At this hearing, witnesses could speak on behalf of the accused. In Paul's case no one had come to his defense. This was probably because when Rome burned in July of 64 A.D. Nero blamed the Christians. From then on it was dangerous to be a known Christian in Rome. Local Christians nor Paul's fellow workers were willing to stand with the apostle (cf. Matt. 26:56). Paul hoped the Lord would not hold their failure against them (cf. Luke 23:34).
4:17 The Lord, however, had not abandoned His faithful servant on that occasion but had strengthened Paul. Evidently Paul was able to give a word of witness at his hearing that furthered his mission to the Gentiles. He had so far escaped death, though he was ready to die as a martyr. The "lion's mouth"may be a reference to the lions in the Roman Coliseum that were then devouring Christians. However the Romans would have beheaded Paul rather than throwing him to the lions since he was a Roman citizen. This phrase may be a veiled reference to Nero or probably a more general allusion to Satan's instruments of evil that have always sought to destroy God's faithful servants (cf. Dan. 6:22; Ps. 22:21; Matt. 6:13; 1 Pet. 5:8).
4:18 Paul knew he would die a martyr's death (vv. 6-8), but he saw death as God's vehicle to deliver him from an evil deed (his execution) and to bring him into his Lord's presence. For this prospect he glorified God.
Thoughts of the coming kingdom that Paul was about to enter lay behind all the apostle wrote in verses 1-18. He referred to Christ's kingdom in verses 1 and 18 specifically. I believe Paul was speaking of Christ's rule in which all Christians will participate when we enter His presence part of which will include His millennial reign on the earth.
"Three features of Paul's attitude can provide us help and encouragement for today. First, Paul avoided indulging his disappointments. . . . Second, Paul could rejoice in the victory won in the life of Mark. . . . Third, Paul found no room for vindictiveness toward those who hurt or opposed him."97
