The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.
Parallel translations
- WEB At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.
- 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.
- BSB At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.
- NKJV At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.
- NASB At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
At his first legal defense everyone abandoned Paul, yet he prays it not be charged against them. He mirrors Christ's own gracious forgiveness of those who failed him.
Overview
Standing trial alone, Paul experienced the desertion of all his supporters, a deeply isolating moment near the end of his life. Rather than condemning them, he asks that it not be counted against them, echoing the words of Stephen (Acts 7:60) and ultimately of Christ on the cross (Luke 23:34). This forgiving prayer reveals a heart shaped by the very grace he proclaimed. His loneliness sets the stage for the contrast in the next verse, where the Lord himself stands by him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Acts 7:60He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
- John 16:32Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
- Mark 14:50They all left him, and fled.
- Ps 31:11–13Because of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbors, A fear to my acquaintances. Those who saw me on the street fled from me.
- Phil 1:7It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
- Phil 1:17but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
- 2 Tim 4:10for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
- 2 Tim 1:15This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
- 1 Cor 9:3My defense to those who examine me is this.
- 1 Pet 3:15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:
- Acts 25:16To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
- Acts 22:1“Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you.”
- 2 Cor 7:11For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.
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Christ at the center
Christ Jesus 'abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel' — the risen Lord whose word and kingdom endure to the end.
How 2 Timothy 4:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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