2 Timothy 4:16, 17 At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.
Here Paul explains how defending himself against the opposition of the Roman authorities (probably at the beginning of his last trial) no one came to his support, but everyone deserted him. Immediately, he adds May it not be held against them. Paul knew better than to seek personal vengeance. He was not dismayed either, even though he was left alone, because, as had happened at other times, the Lord stood at his side and gave him strength (poured power into him). This meant that through Paul the message was fully proclaimed so that all the Gentiles might hear it. Further, he was, he says, delivered from the lion’s mouth which may be a reference to Caesar (Nero) or possibly to Satan or is perhaps even a literal reference. These verses are every specific to Paul but the lessons are more general - sometimes believers do let us down but we must not hold it against them. We can always expect God's help even though men fail us, especially if the gospel is advanced.
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