2 Timothy 4:16-18

The Lord Stood with Paul

Though we do not know precisely when he made his first answer to the charges pressed against him, it is sad to hear this great man of God had not one friend to stand by him at that time. It appears the friends who refused to stand with Paul were afraid, so the apostle prayed the great judge would not hold it against them (2 Timothy 4:16).

Despite having no man to stand beside him, Paul was not alone. The Lord stood with his aged apostle just as he promised he would (Matthew 10:19-20; Matthew 28:18-20). In fact, he gave him strength to go through the first defense. Ironically, his enemies had placed him in a position, with the Lord's help, to present the gospel to a large audience of Gentiles as they listened to the trial in the forum. Those assembled might well have come from all over the known world. Though Paul soon expected to die, he had already been delivered by the Lord from a severe trial. Like the apostle, all Christians can confidently say the Lord will deliver them out of every trial because death could not hold our King (Romans 8:28-39; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)! Only a Christian can think of death as a means of victory. When his tormentors at last succeeded in getting him executed, they gave Paul his longed for opportunity to go home (2 Timothy 4:17-18; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8-9).