2 Timothy 4:16

16 In my first defence no man helped me, but all forsook me; be it not areckoned to them. [In my first defence no man was to me, but all forsook me; be it not reckoned to them.]

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 Alexander, the treasurer, showed to me much evil; the Lord shall yield to him after his works.
15 Whom also thou eschew; for he against-stood full greatly our words.
16 In my first defence no man helped me, but all forsook me; be it not areckoned to them. [In my first defence no man was to me, but all forsook me; be it not reckoned to them.]
17 But the Lord helped me, and comforted me, that the preaching be filled by me, and that all folks hear, that I am delivered from the mouth of the lion. [Forsooth the Lord stood nigh to me, and comforted me, that the preaching be full-filled by me, and that all folks hear, and I am delivered from the mouth of the lion.]
18 And the Lord delivered me from all evil work, and shall make me safe into his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory into worlds of worlds. Amen.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.