Tuesday, March 1, 2016

All Men Forsook Paul 2 Timothy 4:16


Paul the apostle began to wind down his final thoughts to Timothy his “dearly beloved son” as he completed his letter of instruction. He mentioned a few men who were once with him in ministry such as: “Demas, Crescens, Titus, Luke and Tychicus”, and he asked for “Mark” to be sent to him. He desired his “cloke” and “the books, but especially the parchments” as well. He was troubled by “Alexander the Coppersmith” who did him “much evil”, and desired for “the Lord” to “reward him for his works”. Finally Paul warned Timothy concerning “Alexander”, and in chapter four and verse sixteen Paul wrote concerning how “all men forsook” him where we read:

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.

The verse begins, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me:” Paul began with, “At my first” or “initial, first in rank, time or place” “answer” which is the Greek word “apologia” and means “verbal defense or reasoned statement or argument” “no man” or “no one and nobody” “stood” which means “to come together as to one's aid” “with me” which is a reference to Paul himself. Paul continued, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, an objection, an exception, restriction, moreover, rather and nay” “all men forsook” or “abandoned, deserted, left in straits, left helpless, utterly left behind and surviving” “me” which also is a reference to Paul himself. In other words, Paul made a first appearance of defense before the courts with the charges brought against him, and no one was with him when he stood there.

The verse continues, I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” Paul continued, “I pray God that it may not be laid” which in Greek is the phrase “logizomai mē logizomai” which means “not be reckoned, counted, computed, calculated, accounted for” “to their charge” or “to themselves or as the same manner”. Even though everyone abandoned Paul in his moment of trial, he did not desire for God to make them have to give an accounting of their desertion.

When we meditate upon Paul's words, we can imagine ourselves in his place. What if we were being put on trial for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and everyone we knew abandoned us? How would that feel, and would we be angry or upset with those who left us alone? Even though everyone else left him to defend for himself, Paul knew the Lord was with him. Sometimes the Lord will allow every person to forsake us, and when they do, He will always be at our side. The question is, will we have the same attitude of Paul towards others and desire they not be charged for their desertion? May the Lord help us to remember He is always with us, and when others go away, may we develop a spirit of forgiveness and mercy toward them in like manner as Paul.

Next time Paul tells Timothy how “the Lord stood” with him, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.




No comments:

Post a Comment