Teks -- 2 Timothy 4:16 (NET)

4:16 At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me– may they not be held accountable for it.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: 2Ti 4:16 - At my first defence

At my first defence ( en tēi prōtēi apologiāi ).

Original sense of "apology"as in Phi 1:7, Phi 1:16. Either the first stage in this trial or the previous trial and acquittal at the end of the first Roman imprisonment. Probably the first view is correct, though really there is no way to decide.

Robertson: 2Ti 4:16 - No one took my part

No one took my part ( oudeis moi paregeneto ).

"No one came by my side"(second aorist middle indicative of paraginomai ). See note on 1Co 16:3.

Robertson: 2Ti 4:16 - But all forsook me

But all forsook me ( alla pantes me egkateleipon ).

Same verb and tense used of Demas above (2Ti 4:10), "But all were forsaking me"(one by one) or, if aorist egkatelipon , "all at once left me."

Robertson: 2Ti 4:16 - May it not be laid to their account

May it not be laid to their account ( mē autois logistheiē ).

First aorist passive optative in future wish with negative mē . Common Pauline verb logizomai (1Co 13:5; Rom 4:3, Rom 4:5).

Vincent: 2Ti 4:16 - At my first answer

At my first answer ( ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ μου ἀπολογίᾳ )

Ἁπολογία defense in a judicial trial . Comp. Act 25:16. Also against private persons , as 1Co 9:3; 2Co 7:11. Defense of the gospel against its adversaries , as Phi 1:7, Phi 1:16; comp. 1Pe 3:15 (note). It is impossible to decide to what this refers. On the assumption of a second imprisonment of Paul (see Introduction) it would probably refer to a preliminary hearing before the main trial. It is not improbable that the writer had before his mind the situation of Paul as described in Philippians 1, since this Epistle shows at many points the influence of the Philippians letter. It should be noted, however, that ἀπολογία in Phi 1:7, Phi 1:16, has no specific reference to Paul's trial, but refers to the defense of the gospel under any and all circumstances. In any case, the first Romans imprisonment cannot be alluded to here. On that supposition, the omission of all reference to Timothy's presence and personal ministry at that time, and the words about his first defense, which must have taken place before Timothy left Rome (Phi 2:19-23) and which is here related as a piece of news, are quite inexplicable.

Vincent: 2Ti 4:16 - Stood with me

Stood with me ( παρεγένετο )

As a patron or an advocate. The verb mostly in Luke and Acts: once in Paul, 1Co 16:3 : only here in Pastorals. It means to place one's self beside ; hence, to come to , and this latter sense is almost universal in N.T. In the sense of coming to or standing by one as a friend, only here.

Vincent: 2Ti 4:16 - Be laid to their charge

Be laid to their charge ( αὐτοῖς λογισθείη )

Mostly in Paul: only here in Pastorals. See on Rom 4:3, Rom 4:5; see on 1Co 13:5.

Wesley: 2Ti 4:16 - All

My friends and companions.

Wesley: 2Ti 4:16 - Forsook me

And do we expect to find such as will not forsake us? My first defence - Before the savage emperor Nero.

JFB: 2Ti 4:16 - At my first answer

That is, "defense" in court, at my first public examination. Timothy knew nothing of this, it is plain, till Paul now informs him. But during his former imprisonment at Rome, Timothy was with him (Phi 1:1, Phi 1:7). This must have been, therefore, a second imprisonment. He must have been set free before the persecution in A.D. 64, when the Christians were accused of causing the conflagration in Rome; for, had he been a prisoner then, he certainly would not have been spared. The tradition [EUSEBIUS, Ecclesiastical History, 2.251] that he was finally beheaded, accords with his not having been put to death in the persecution, A.D. 64, when burning to death was the mode by which the Christians were executed, but subsequently to it. His "first" trial in his second imprisonment seems to have been on the charge of complicity in the conflagration; his absence from Rome may have been the ground of his acquittal on that charge; his final condemnation was probably on the charge of introducing a new and unlawful religion into Rome.

JFB: 2Ti 4:16 - stood with me

Greek, "came forward with me" [ALFORD] as a friend and advocate.

JFB: 2Ti 4:16 - may it not be laid to their charge

The position of "their," in the Greek, is emphatic. "May it not be laid to THEIR charge," for they were intimidated; their drawing back from me was not from bad disposition so much as from fear; it is sure to be laid to the charge of those who intimidated them. Still Paul, like Stephen, would doubtless have offered the same prayer for his persecutors themselves (Act 7:60).

Clarke: 2Ti 4:16 - At my first answer

At my first answer - Εν τῃ τρωτῃ μου απολογιᾳ· At my first apology; this word properly signifies a defense or vindication. To his is the meaning of what we call the apologies of the primitive fathers; they were vindications or defences of Christianity. It is generally allowed that, when St. Paul had been taken this second time by the Romans, he was examined immediately, and required to account for his conduct; and that, so odious was Christianity through the tyranny of Nero, he could procure no person to plead for him. Nero, who had himself set fire to Rome, charged it on the Christians, and they were in consequence persecuted in the most cruel manner; he caused them to be wrapped up in pitched clothes, and then, chaining them to a stake, he ordered them to be set on fire to give light in the streets after night! Tormenti genus ! To this Juvenal appears to allude. Sat. i. v. 155

Pone Tigellinum, taeda lucebis in ill

Qua stantes ardent, qui fixo gulture fumant

"If into rogues omnipotent you rake

Death is your doom, impaled upon a stake

Smear’ d o’ er with wax, and set on blaze to ligh

The streets, and make a dreadful fire by night.

Dryden

Clarke: 2Ti 4:16 - I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge

I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge - How much more simple, elegant, and expressive are the apostle’ s own words: Μη αυτοις λογισθειη· let it not be placed to their account! Let them not have to reckon for it with the supreme Judge at the great day!

TSK: 2Ti 4:16 - answer // no // I pray

answer : Act 22:1, Act 25:16; 1Co 9:3; 2Co 7:11; Phi 1:7, Phi 1:17; 1Pe 3:15 *Gr.

no : 2Ti 4:10, 2Ti 1:15; Psa 31:11-13; Mar 14:50; Joh 16:32

I pray : Act 7:60

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Ti 4:16 - At my first answer // I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge

At my first answer , at my first appearing before Nero, and the court of Rome, no man stood with me ; none of the Christians stood by me, or owned me; but all men forsook me ; but all, being frighted at my danger, left me alone to speak for myself.

I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge ; the sinned through weakness and human frailty, and the Lord, I hope, will pardon it; God grant them remission.

Haydock: 2Ti 4:16 - At my first defence

At my first defence, or trial, when I appeared before Nero and my judges, no man stood with me; all, or almost all, abandoned me in that danger: may it not be laid to their charge. (Witham)

Gill: 2Ti 4:16 - 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

At my first answer no man stood with me,.... Meaning, that when he made his first defence against the charges laid unto him in one of the courts of judicature in Rome, no man appeared in his cause, to speak to his character, to be a witness for him, or plead his cause:

but all men forsook me; all his friends, all that came with him from Judea, or from Asia; see 2Ti 1:15 being timorous of coming into danger, and of the loss of their lives; as the disciples of Christ were, when he was apprehended, who all at that time forsook him and fled:

I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge; that this sin may not be imputed to them, or they be punished for it, but that it might be pardoned; so differently does he express himself on the account of these, than on the account of the coppersmith; he sinning through malice, wilfully and obstinately, these through surprise, temptation, and weakness.