2 Timothy 4:16 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.
2 Timothy 4:16 nkjv
At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.
2 Timothy 4:16 niv
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
2 Timothy 4:16 esv
At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!
2 Timothy 4:16 nlt
The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.
2 Timothy 4 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 26:56 | All the disciples deserted him and fled. | Desertion of Christ by His Disciples |
| Mk 14:50 | And they all forsook him and fled. | Complete abandonment of Jesus |
| Jn 16:32 | Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and leave me alone... | Prophecy of disciples' abandonment |
| Ps 27:10 | Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. | God's faithfulness despite human abandonment |
| Isa 49:15 | “Can a woman forget her nursing child... Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you." | God's steadfast remembrance |
| Lk 23:34 | "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." | Jesus' prayer for forgiveness of persecutors |
| Acts 7:60 | And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." | Stephen's prayer for his persecutors |
| Rom 4:8 | Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin. | God not counting or imputing sin |
| 2 Cor 5:19 | God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... | God's forgiveness through Christ |
| Ps 32:2 | Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. | Forgiveness and blessedness |
| Lk 6:37 | Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. | Principle of forgiveness for others |
| Col 3:13 | Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other... | Mutual forgiveness among believers |
| Eph 4:32 | Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. | Forgiveness as Christian virtue |
| 1 Pet 2:23 | When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself... | Christ's example in suffering |
| Rom 12:14 | Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. | Blessing those who harm you |
| 1 Cor 4:12 | When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; | Apostle Paul's enduring attitude |
| 2 Tim 4:10 | For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica... | Example of desertion (Demas) |
| 2 Tim 4:17 | But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me... | God's direct support in isolation |
| Heb 13:5-6 | "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper..." | God's unfailing presence and help |
| Ps 54:4 | Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. | God as helper in trials |
| Phil 1:7 | You are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. | Partnership in suffering |
| 2 Cor 1:8-9 | For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia... We felt that we had received the sentence of death. | Paul's experiences with intense affliction |
2 Timothy 4 verses
2 Timothy 4 16 Meaning
The verse captures the apostle Paul's deep isolation during an initial legal hearing (his "first defense") in Rome, where all his companions abandoned him due to fear or self-preservation. Despite this profound desertion, Paul's immediate response is not bitterness but a prayerful plea for God's grace and forgiveness upon those who deserted him, asking that this act not be "held against them" in divine judgment. It demonstrates Paul's Christ-like attitude and unwavering focus on the gospel even amidst personal suffering and betrayal.
2 Timothy 4 16 Context
2 Timothy is Paul’s last letter, written from prison in Rome to his spiritual son, Timothy. It is a highly personal and poignant letter, often considered Paul's farewell address, reflecting on his life's ministry, encouraging Timothy to persevere in faithfulness, guard the truth of the gospel, and endure hardship for Christ. Chapter 4 is especially urgent, containing Paul's charge to Timothy to preach the word and Paul's final reflections on his impending death (v. 6-8). Verse 16 recounts a specific and painful event from Paul's current Roman imprisonment – his initial court appearance or "first defense." This legal context was precarious under Nero's rule, where confessing Christ could mean certain death. The desertion by others highlights the intense fear and danger associated with Christian witness at the time.
2 Timothy 4 16 Word analysis
At my first defense (πρώτῃ μου ἀπολογίᾳ, prōtē mou apologia):
- "First" (prōtē): Indicates this was the initial hearing or preliminary examination of Paul's case, not the final trial. It suggests there might have been a second, decisive one, which eventually led to his execution.
- "Defense" (apologia): In legal terms, this refers to a formal pleading, an answer, or an apology (in the classical sense of a reasoned verbal defense). It’s the context where Paul presented his case, presumably his unwavering loyalty to Christ and the gospel, which was viewed as subversive by Roman authorities.
no one came to my support (οὐδείς μοι συμπαρεγένετο, oudeis moi symparegeneto):
- "No one" (oudeis): Emphasizes the absolute isolation. It underscores the complete absence of fellow believers or even legal representatives who might have stood alongside him.
- "Came to my support" (symparegeneto): From symparaginomai, meaning "to come alongside with," "to appear together with," especially in a court of law to defend or testify on someone's behalf. It conveys the idea of standing by someone, offering physical or legal assistance, solidarity, or testimony. Their absence was a lack of expected camaraderie and help.
but everyone deserted me (ἀλλὰ πάντες με ἐγκατέλιπον, alla pantes me enkatalipon):
- "But everyone" (alla pantes): Contrasts sharply with "no one," reinforcing the complete and unanimous nature of the abandonment. "Everyone" likely refers to Christian associates in Rome who knew Paul and might have been expected to assist.
- "Deserted" (enkatalipon): From egkataleipō, a strong verb meaning "to leave behind," "to abandon," "to forsake completely." It implies a decisive and intentional act of leaving, often due to fear, a sense of hopelessness, or a perceived danger of association. This word often describes an abandonment that is absolute or final.
May it not be held against them (μὴ αὐτοῖς λογισθείη, mē autois logisthei):
- "May it not be held against them" (mē autois logisthei): This is an optative mood, expressing a wish or prayer. Logisthei comes from logizomai, which means "to reckon," "to count," "to compute," or "to impute." Paul is praying that this act of desertion would not be "counted" as sin against them in God's eternal judgment.
- This profound statement echoes the words of Jesus on the cross (Lk 23:34) and Stephen during his martyrdom (Acts 7:60). It signifies a spirit of forgiveness, mercy, and lack of personal vengeance, reflecting the very heart of the gospel he preached. It implies Paul understands their fear and trusts God's grace to cover their failure.
2 Timothy 4 16 Bonus section
Paul's request, "May it not be held against them," demonstrates his understanding of divine accounting, echoing the language of justification where God does not impute sin to believers (Rom 4:8). It reflects Paul's profound internalization of the gospel, where grace triumphs over judgment. This wasn't a casual request, but a fervent prayer from a man who knew he was facing his end, showcasing a level of spiritual self-mastery that is exceedingly rare. It reminds us that forgiveness for others is possible even when we are the victims, reflecting God's own character.
2 Timothy 4 16 Commentary
Paul's declaration in 2 Timothy 4:16 is a remarkable testament to his spiritual maturity and Christ-like character. In his moment of profound vulnerability—an initial court appearance where he desperately needed solidarity and assistance—he was met with complete abandonment by his peers. This wasn't merely absence, but an act of "desertion," highlighting the severe pressure faced by early Christians. Yet, Paul's immediate response transcends personal injury; instead of resentment, he offers a prayer of intercession, asking God to forgive them and not to "count" this sin against them. This echoes divine grace and the gospel's message of not imputing trespasses. It showcases that even in extreme personal suffering and betrayal, Paul’s ultimate concern remained the eternal well-being of others and the glory of God, affirming the power of forgiveness at the heart of Christian life. It stands as a powerful example of spiritual magnanimity.