At my first defenseThis phrase refers to the Apostle Paul's initial hearing or trial in Rome. In the Roman legal system, a "defense" would be a formal presentation of one's case before a magistrate or judge. Paul, as a Roman citizen, had the right to such a defense. Historically, this would have taken place in a Roman court, possibly in the Praetorium, where legal matters were addressed. The context suggests that Paul was facing serious charges, likely related to his preaching of the Gospel, which was increasingly seen as a threat to Roman order.
no one stood with me
Paul expresses a sense of abandonment, highlighting the loneliness and isolation he felt during this critical moment. This reflects the fear and pressure early Christians faced under Roman persecution. The cultural context of the time was one of suspicion towards Christians, who were often misunderstood and maligned. This phrase also echoes the experience of Jesus Christ, who was deserted by His disciples in His time of need (Mark 14:50).
but everyone deserted me
The desertion Paul experienced is reminiscent of the Old Testament prophets who often stood alone in their mission. This phrase underscores the human tendency to flee from danger, even at the cost of loyalty. It also serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship, as Jesus warned that following Him would lead to persecution (John 15:18-20). Theologically, it highlights the theme of suffering for the sake of the Gospel, a recurring motif in Paul's letters.
May it not be charged against them
Here, Paul demonstrates a Christ-like attitude of forgiveness, similar to Jesus' words on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). This reflects the Christian principle of forgiving others, as taught by Jesus in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:12). It also shows Paul's pastoral heart, as he seeks to absolve those who abandoned him from guilt, emphasizing grace and mercy over judgment.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PaulThe apostle and author of the letter, writing to Timothy from prison in Rome. He is reflecting on his experiences and the challenges he faced.
2.
TimothyThe recipient of the letter, a young pastor and close companion of Paul, who is being encouraged to remain steadfast in his ministry.
3.
RomeThe place where Paul is imprisoned and where his trial is taking place. It is the center of the Roman Empire and a significant location for early Christian history.
4.
Paul's First DefenseRefers to a legal proceeding or trial where Paul had to defend himself against accusations, likely related to his preaching of the Gospel.
5.
Desertion by OthersThe event where Paul's companions and fellow believers did not support him during his trial, leaving him to face it alone.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in TrialsPaul’s experience teaches us the importance of remaining faithful to God even when others abandon us. Our commitment should not waver based on human support.
Forgiveness and GracePaul’s prayer that the desertion not be charged against his companions exemplifies the Christian call to forgive others, even when they fail us.
Reliance on GodIn moments of isolation and trial, believers are reminded to rely on God’s presence and strength, as He is always with us, even when others are not.
Courage in WitnessingDespite being deserted, Paul continued to witness for Christ. This encourages us to boldly proclaim our faith, regardless of the support we receive from others.
Understanding Human WeaknessRecognizing that even strong believers can falter helps us extend grace to others and ourselves, understanding that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Timothy 4:16?
2.How does 2 Timothy 4:16 encourage us to respond when feeling abandoned by others?
3.What can we learn about forgiveness from Paul's experience in 2 Timothy 4:16?
4.How does 2 Timothy 4:16 connect with Jesus' teachings on forgiveness?
5.In what ways can we rely on God when others forsake us?
6.How can Paul's reaction in 2 Timothy 4:16 guide our prayer life?
7.Why did Paul say, "At my first defense no one stood with me" in 2 Timothy 4:16?
8.How does 2 Timothy 4:16 reflect on the nature of Christian fellowship and support?
9.What historical context led to Paul's isolation mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:16?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Timothy 4?
11.How can a young man purify his path?
12.In 2 Timothy 4:17, is Paul’s claim of being rescued “from the lion’s mouth” literal or a figurative expression, and how does this align with historical or scientific understanding?
13.In 2 Timothy 1:15, Phygelus and Hermogenes abandon Paul, yet they appear nowhere else—does the lack of external evidence call the narrative into question?
14.How reliable is Luke’s account of Paul’s defense in Acts 26:30–32, given the limited external historical corroboration?What Does 2 Timothy 4:16 Mean
At my first defensePaul is recalling the preliminary hearing of his final Roman trial. It was the moment when, humanly speaking, his future—and even his life—hung in the balance (Acts 25:6-12; 27:1; 28:16).
• Unlike earlier detentions (Acts 24:10-21; 26:1-32), this “first defense” takes place near the end of his ministry, just before the martyrdom he anticipates in2 Timothy 4:6-8.
• His calm memory of that courtroom underscores God’s sovereignty over legal systems (Proverbs 21:1) and over the course of His servants’ lives (Psalm 31:15).
• Verse 17 follows immediately with, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me”, reminding believers that even when earthly advocates fail, the ultimate Advocate never does (Hebrews 13:5).
No one stood with meIn Roman law an accused citizen was allowed friends to speak in his defense, yet Paul notes, “no one stood with me.”
• The same apostle who once rallied large ministry teams (Acts 20:4) now faces the court alone—an echo ofPsalm 142:4, “No one cares for my soul”.
• Earlier in this letter he mentions Demas who “has deserted me” (2 Timothy 4:10) and highlights how “all who are in Asia turned away from me” (2 Timothy 1:15).
• The lesson is sober: even trusted partners may falter, but the Church’s mission endures because Christ, not any single coworker, is its foundation (Matthew 16:18).
But everyone deserted mePaul widens the statement: “everyone deserted me.”
• This mirrors Jesus’ own experience—“Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56)—demonstrating that the servant is not above his Master (John 15:18-20).
• Still, personal abandonment never cancels divine calling. Paul will soon testify that the gospel “has been fully proclaimed” through him (2 Timothy 4:17), fulfillingActs 9:15-16.
• The reality of loneliness in ministry encourages believers to depend on the Holy Spirit rather than popularity or numbers (Zechariah 4:6;2 Corinthians 12:9).
May it not be charged against themInstead of resentment, Paul echoes his Lord: “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). Stephen prayed similarly while being stoned (Acts 7:60).
• This pardon demonstrates love that “keeps no account of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5).
• Forgiveness frees both the offended and the offender, preserving unity within the body (Ephesians 4:32;Colossians 3:13).
• Paul’s attitude also upholds the teaching that God alone is judge (Romans 12:19); entrusting justice to Him guards the heart from bitterness.
summary• Paul stood before Rome’s court alone, yet never truly alone—God was present and at work.
• Human allies may fail, but Christ remains faithful and ministry continues.
• Desertion is painful, yet the believer’s response must mirror Christ’s forgiving heart.
•2 Timothy 4:16 invites every follower of Jesus to rest in His presence, release offense, and persevere in gospel service.
(16)
At my first answer no man stood with me . . .--And then, after the mention of what his
enemy had done out of hatred to the cause of Christ, the old man passed on to speak of the conduct of his own
familiar friends at that great public trial before--most probably--the city praefect: Praefectus Urbi, a nominee of the Emperor Nero. No one friend stood by him; no "advocate" pleaded his cause; no "procurator" (an official who performed the functions of the attorney in an English court) helped him in arranging and sifting the evidence; no "patronus" of any noble or powerful house gave him his countenance and support. The position of a well-known Christian leader accused in the year 66-67 was a critical one, and the friend who dared to stand by him would himself be in great danger. After the great fire of Rome, in A.D. 64, the Christians were looked upon as the enemies of the state, and were charged as the authors of that terrible disaster. Nero, to avert suspicion from himself, allowed the Christians to be accused and condemned as incendiaries. A great persecution, in which, as Tacitus tells, a very great multitude of the followers of Jesus perished, was the immediate result of the hateful charge. It is most probable that St. Paul, as a famous Nazarene leader, was eventually arrested as implicated in this crime, and brought to Rome. His implacable enemies among the Jews might well have been the agents who brought this about, and Alexander of the last verse was possibly principally concerned in this matter. But St. Paul, conscious of his own great peril, knew well that to stand by him now, implicated as he was in this net-work of false accusations, would be a service of the greatest danger; so he pleads for them, these weak, unnerved friends of his, who, through no ill-will to the cause, but solely from timidity, had deserted him, remembering, no doubt, his own Master, who, too, in His hour of deadly peril, had been forsaken. (See
John 16:32, "Behold the hour cometh, yea is now come, that ye shall be scattered every man to his own, and ye shall leave Me alone.") But like his own Master, who proceeded to say, "Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me," so St. Paul went on to tell Timothy neither was
he alone, for One greater than any friend on earth stood by him.
Verse 16. -
Detente for
answer, A.V.;
no one took my part for
no man stood with me, A.V.;
all for
all men, A.V.;
may it not for
I pray God it may not, A.V.;
account for
charge, A.V.
Defence (
ἀπολογίᾳ). "The technical word in classical Greek for a defence in answer to an accusation;" as
Acts 22:1 (where see note for further illustration), and
Philippians 1:7.
Took my part;παρεγένετο R.T., for
συμπαρεγένετο T.R., which occurs elsewhere in the New Testament only in
Luke 23:48, in a somewhat different sense. The simple
παραγίνομαι is very common in the New Testament, but nowhere in the technical sense in which it is used here. In classical Greek both forms are common in the sense of "coming to aid," "standing by any one," "assisting." Here it represents the Latin
assistere or adesse in its technical sense of "standing by" an accused person as friend or assistant, to aid and abet them in their defence. Powerful men sometimes brought such a multitude of assistants as to overawe the magistrate, as Orgetorix the Helvetian, when summoned to trial, appeared with ten thousand followers, and so there was no trial. Paul, like his Lord and Master, of whom it is written, "All his disciples forsook him and fled," had no one to stand with him in his hour of need.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
AtἘν(En)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.myμου(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.firstπρώτῃ(prōtē)Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4413:First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.defense,ἀπολογίᾳ(apologia)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 627:A verbal defense (particularly in a law court). From the same as apologeomai; a plea.no oneοὐδείς(oudeis)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3762:No one, none, nothing.stood withπαρεγένετο(paregeneto)Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3854:From para and ginomai; to become near, i.e. Approach; by implication, to appear publicly.me,μοι(moi)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.butἀλλὰ(alla)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.everyoneπάντες(pantes)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.desertedἐγκατέλιπον(enkatelipon)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1459:From en and kataleipo; to leave behind in some place, i.e. let remain over, or to desert.me.με(me)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.May it not be chargedλογισθείη(logistheiē)Verb - Aorist Optative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3049:To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose.against them.αὐτοῖς(autois)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
Links
2 Timothy 4:16 NIV2 Timothy 4:16 NLT2 Timothy 4:16 ESV2 Timothy 4:16 NASB2 Timothy 4:16 KJV
2 Timothy 4:16 BibleApps.com2 Timothy 4:16 Biblia Paralela2 Timothy 4:16 Chinese Bible2 Timothy 4:16 French Bible2 Timothy 4:16 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: 2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense no one came (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim) 
