2 Timothy 4:16

16 At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn't matter -

2 Timothy 4:16 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 4:16

At my first answer no man stood with me
Meaning, that when he made his first defence against the charges laid unto him in one of the courts of judicature in Rome, no man appeared in his cause, to speak to his character, to be a witness for him, or plead his cause:

but all men forsook me;
all his friends, all that came with him from Judea, or from Asia; see ( 2 Timothy 1:15 ) being timorous of coming into danger, and of the loss of their lives; as the disciples of Christ were, when he was apprehended, who all at that time forsook him and fled:

[I pray God] that it may not be laid to their charge;
that this sin may not be imputed to them, or they be punished for it, but that it might be pardoned; so differently does he express himself on the account of these, than on the account of the coppersmith; he sinning through malice, wilfully and obstinately, these through surprise, temptation, and weakness.

2 Timothy 4:16 In-Context

14 Watch out for Alexander the coppersmith.
15 Fiercely opposed to our Message, he caused no end of trouble. God will give him what he's got coming.
16 At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn't matter -
17 the Master stood by me and helped me spread the Message loud and clear to those who had never heard it. I was snatched from the jaws of the lion!
18 God's looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.