SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:16
¶ En mi primera defensa ninguno me ayud, antes me desampararon todos; no les sea imputado.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:16
Verse 16. At my first answer] en th prwth mou apologia? 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 illa, 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 light The streets, and make a dreadful fire by night." DRYDEN.
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: mh autoiv logisqeih? let it not be placed to their account! Let them not have to reckon for it with the supreme Judge at the great day!
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. At my first answer no man stood with me , etc.] 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 2 Timothy 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-18 - There is as much danger from false brethren, as from open enemies. It is dangerous having to do with those who would be enemies to such a ma as Paul. The Christians at Rome were forward to meet him, Ac 28, but when there seemed to be a danger of suffering with him, then all forsook him. God might justly be angry with them, but he prays God to forgive them. The apostle was delivered out of the mouth of the lion that is, of Nero, or some of his judges. If the Lord stands by us, he will strengthen us in difficulties and dangers, and his presence wil more than supply every one's absence.
Greek Textus Receptus
εν 1722 τη 3588 πρωτη 4413 μου 3450 απολογια 627 ουδεις 3762 μοι 3427 συμπαρεγενετο 4836 5633 αλλα 235 παντες 3956 με 3165 εγκατελιπον 1459 5627 μη 3361 αυτοις 846 λογισθειη 3049 5678
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. At my first answer (en th prwth mou apologia). Apologia defense in a judicial trial. Comp. Acts xxv. 16. Also against private persons, as 1 Cor. ix. 3; 2 Cor. vii. 11. Defense of the gospel against its adversaries, as Philippians. i. 7, 16; comp. 1 Pet. iii. 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 since this Epistle shows at many points the influence of the Philippians letter. It should be noted, however, that ajpologia in Philip. i. 7, 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 (Philippians. ii. 19-23) and which is here related as a piece of news, are quite inexplicable.
Stood with me (paregeneto). As a patron or an advocate. The verb mostly in Luke and Acts: once in Paul, 1 Cor. xvi. 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.
Be laid to their charge (autoiv logisqeih). Mostly in Paul: only here in Pastorals. See on Rom. iv. 3, 5; 1 Cor. xiii. 5.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:16 {At my first defence} (en tei prwtei apologiai). Original sense of "apology" as in #Php 1:7,16. 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. {No one took my part} (oudeis moi paregeneto). "No one came by my side" (second aorist middle indicative of paraginomai). See #1Co 16:3. {But all forsook me} (alla pantes me egkateleipon). Same verb and tense used of Demas above (verse #10), "But all were forsaking me" (one by one) or, if aorist egkatelipon, "all at once left me." {May it not be laid to their account} (me autois logisqeie). First aorist passive optative in future wish with negative me. Common Pauline verb logizomai (#1Co 13:5; Ro 4:3,5).
