2 Timothy 4:16

At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.

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Other translations

WEBBE

At my first defence, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.

BSB

At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.

KJV

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

ASV

At my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their account.

BBE

At my first meeting with my judges, no one took my part, but all went away from me. May it not be put to their account.

Original Greek

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The early church

"At my first answer," he says, "no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge." Do you see how he spares his friends, notwithstanding it was a grievous thing they had done? For it is not the same thing to be despised by aliens, as by our own friends. Do you see his intense dejection? It cannot be said, that I was assailed by those without, but had comfort in the attention and support of my friends; for these also betrayed me. "All men," he says, "forsook me." And this was no light offense. For if he that in war abandons one who is exposed to danger, and shrinks from meeting the hands of his enemies, is justly smitten by his friends, as having utterly betrayed their cause, much more in the case of the Gospel. But what "first answer," does he speak of? He had stood before Nero, and had escaped. But afterwards, because he had converted his cup-bearer, he was beheaded. And here again is encouragement for his disciple in what follows.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 2 Timothy

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 14–18

There is as much danger from false brethren, as from open enemies. It is dangerous having to do with those who would be enemies to such a man as Paul. The Christians at Rome were forward to meet him, Ac 28, but when there seemed to be a danger of suffering with him, then all forsook him. God might justly be angry with them, but he prays God to forgive them. The apostle was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, that is, of Nero, or some of his judges. If the Lord stands by us, he will strengthen us in difficulties and dangers, and his presence will more than supply every one's absence.

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Cross-references

13

Topics

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.