2 Timothy 4:16

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. AT MY FIRST ANSWERS - i:e., 'defense' in court: at my first public examination. Timothy knew nothing of this until Paul now informs him. But during his former imprisonment at Rome Timothy was with him (Philippians 1:1; Philippians 1:7). He must have been set free before the persecution in A.D. 64 AD, when the Christians were accused of causing the conflagration in Rome; for had he been a prisoner then, he would not have been spared. The tradition (Eusebius, 2: 25) that he was finally beheaded accords with his not having been put to death in the persecution, 64 AD, when burning to death was the mode of executing the Christians, but...

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, 2 Timothy 4:28, 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....

Verse 16. _AT MY FIRST ANSWER_] Εν τῃ τρωτῃ μου απολογιᾳ· _At_ _my first apology_; this word properly signifies a _defence_ or _vindication_. To his is the meaning of what we call the _apologies_ _of the primitive fathers_; they were vindications or _defences_ of Christianity. It is generally allowed that, when St. Paul had been taken this second time by the Romans, he was examined immediately, and required to account for his conduct; and that, so odious was Christianity through the tyranny of Nero, he could procure no person to plead for him. Nero, who had himself set fire to Rome, charged it on the Christians, and they were in consequence persecuted in the most cruel manner; he caused them to be wrapped up in _pitched_ clothes, and then, chaining them to a stake, he ordered them to be set on fire to give light in the streets after night! _Tormenti genus_! To this _Juvenal_ appears...

AT MY FIRST ANSWER - Greek, “apology (ἀπολογία apologia), plea, or defense.” This evidently refers to some trial which he had had before the Roman emperor. He speaks of a first trial of this kind; but whether it was on some former occasion, and he had been released and permitted again to go abroad, or whether it was a trial which he had already had during his second imprisonment, it is not easy to determine. The former is the most natural supposition; for, if he had had a trial during his present imprisonment, it is difficult to see why he was still held as a prisoner. See this point examined in the introduction, section 1. NO MAN STOOD WITH ME - Paul had many friends in Rome (2 Timothy 4:21; compare...

EXPOSITION 2 TIMOTHY 4:1 _In the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus _for _therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, _A.V. and T.R.; _and by _for _at, _A.V. and T.R. I CHARGE THEE (διαμαρτύρομαι); as 2 Timothy 2:14 and 1 Timothy 5:21 (where see note). The words οὖν ἐγώ, wanting in some of the best manuscripts, are "rejected by Griesbach, Tischendorf, Lachmann," and by Huther, Alford, Ellicott, and others. The chapter opens rather abruptly without the connecting "therefore." AND BY HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM. The reading of the T.R., κατὰ τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν κ.τ.λ.., "at his appearing and kingdom," makes suc

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,

IV. THE LAST WORDS OF THE APOSTLE CHAPTER 4 _ 1. The last charge (2 Timothy 4:1)_ 2. His last testimony (2 Timothy 4:6) 3. The last personal messages (2 Timothy 4:9) 2 Timothy 4:1 This last chapter is a most impressive one. It is the farewell of this great man of God. joy and sorrow, confidence and love breathe in his final charge and message. “The sorrow that he might have in his soul was only for those he was leaving, and even that is almost swallowed up in the joyful consciousness of the thought with whom he was leaving them.” And so he delivers one more charge, and that solemnly before

PERSONAL REQUESTS AND PERSONAL NEWS. Timothy's summons to Rome seems inconsistent with the discharge of the duties just enforced. If the letter is a unity, its main instructions may concern his conduct after, as well as before, his visit to Rome and Paul's death (Ramsay). For the significance of the historical allusions that follow, see Introduction, at end of § 1. Others being absent on different missions, only Luke, of Paul's immediate circle, is now with him (2 Timothy 4:21 names merely local acquaintances). Let Timothy bring Mark, reconciled to Paul since Acts 15:38 (Colossians 4:10), and able, in Tychicus-' absence, to render needed personal service (contrast AV); and also Paul's travelling-cloak, with cert

PAUL'S GROUNDS OF APPEAL (2 Timothy 4:1-5)...

ANSWER. defence. See Acts 22:1. NO MAN. no one. Greek. _oudeis_. STOOD WITH. Greek. _sumparoginomai._ Only here and Luke 23:48. PRAY, &c.. may it not. NOT. App-106. LAID TO THEIR CHARGE. reckoned to them....