Bible Strands
2 Timothy 4:16
At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy regarding his initial Roman legal proceeding, noting that he faced the tribunal alone. The words — The text highlights ἀπολογίᾳ (apologia), meaning formal legal defense, and παρεγένετο (paregeneto), meaning stood by or attended. The thread — This sequence of abandonment followed by divine presence mirrors the disciples fleeing Jesus (Mark 14:50; John 16:32) and aligns with Stephen’s prayer for his executioners (Acts 7:60). Why it lands — The verse records that human desertion occurred before stating that the Lord stood by him, requiring readers to acknowledge that divine strengthening operates independently of human loyalty.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Acts 7:60 Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
- John 16:32 “Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
- Mark 14:50 Then everyone deserted Him and fled.
- Psalms 31:11 Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends—they flee when they see me on the street.
- Acts 22:1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”
- Acts 25:16 I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.
- 1 Corinthians 9:3 This is my defense to those who scrutinize me:
- 2 Corinthians 7:11 Consider what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! In every way you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
- Philippians 1:7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.
- Philippians 1:17 The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.