Stand by Me

“At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth” (2Tim 4:16-17).

Life Comes at You Fast

It can change in a flash. One minute there’s simply not enough time to take the calls, answer email, or interact with all the great stuff people say about on social media. Your head swells a couple of hat sizes. Maybe I really am pretty cool. Have I gone viral?

But before you can set up your Facebook fan page, the whole deal goes south. The atta-boys come to a screeching halt. The once constant encouragement quickly turns into crickets. In the blink of an eye, what appears to be a cheering crowd are simply cockroaches on the run. The commercials are right. Life comes at you FAST!

Paul’s Resume

It would be easy to look at the life of the Apostle Paul and think this is exactly what happened to him. For several years, he had it all going on. Personally handpicked by Jesus. God’s lead spokesman to the Gentile world. Globetrotter. Church planter. Miracle worker. Leader of his own growing posse. Writer of a huge chunk of the New Testament. Not a bad resume, don’t you think?

But there’s another side to Paul’s story. A dark side. A lonely side. While God gave him a front row seat to see the message of Jesus radically transform lives, not everybody wanted any part of that change. A growing number of people hated what he was doing. They even put out a hit on him. He was attacked and beaten. Run out of town if he was lucky. Stoned and left for dead if he wasn’t.

There was a time when his preaching attracted overflow crowds in cities around the Mediterranean Rim. There was a time when he rolled with a personal traveling party of eight supporters from various churches he started (Acts 20:4-5). He mentored the best and the brightest names in the early church. We’re talking about dudes like Barnabas, John Mark, Silas, Titus, and Timothy.

The Darkness of the Dungeon

We pick up Paul’s story in 67 AD. He’s behind bars in Rome’s Mamertine Prison (2Tim 1:12, 16; 2:9). This joint is Death Row for those Caesar condemns to die (2Tim 4:6-7). It’s here in this darkness of the dungeon that the Light of the World specializes in shining the brightest. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Before we get to that, we need to remember the reason Paul’s writing in the first place. He’s finishing one last letter to Timothy, a young pastor leading the church the apostle planted in Ephesus (1Tim 1:3; 2Tim 1:2). Paul pulls no punches in passing the baton of ministry to his spiritual son (2Tim 2:1-4:5). He also begs Tim to hit the road and get to Rome for one last visit before it’s too late (2Tim 4:9, 21).

Legal Speak

At this point the epistle, Paul updates Tim on his current legal situation. “At my first defense no one came to stand by me” (v16). He refers to his “defense” by using a little lawyer speak (Gr. απολογια/apologia). It describes the response to official charges or speaking on behalf of yourself or others in the face of an accusation.

If you’re familiar with the apostle’s story, you know he’s had his fair share of appearances in court for telling people about Jesus. So which time does he mean when he refers to “my first defense” (v16)? Let’s be honest. The guy’s seen the inside of countless courtrooms between Jerusalem and Rome. Which one? Which time?

The Roman Two-Step

According to John MacArthur, the Roman court system had a two-step process. The first hearing was called the prima actio (or “first action”). This was much like an arraignment which established the charges and need for a trial. The second proceeding was the secunda actio (or “second action”) where a judge reaches a verdict and hands down a sentence.

So what Paul describes here is that “first action.” In other words, this is the most recent “first defense” (v16). He probably appeared before Nero himself. If not, it was a judge or panel of judges made up of Caesar’s toadies.

Arson Charges?

What exactly did Roman authorities charge the apostle with? That’s a great question that’s not found anywhere in the New Testament. But when we flip open the pages of history, we find clues that go along way to unlock this mystery. Just a three years before in July of 64 AD, a massive fire began in Rome’s southern slums and burned for three days.

This raging inferno totally torched three of Rome’s 14 districts and damaged much of the city. It killed hundreds and left thousands homeless. While there’s no hard evidence blaming Nero for the blaze (or that he fiddled away while watching the flames from the palace), there is one fact we do know. He blamed those annoying followers of Jesus for the disaster.

Some Bible scholars believe Roman authorities implicated Paul with a role in setting the fire. While we’re not sure if Caesar charged the apostle in connection with arson, we do know the emperor unleashed an unprecedented persecution and pain on believers throughout the empire.

Following Jesus Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

Before the fire, it was certainly hazardous to your health to claim the name of Christ before the fire. After Rome burns, the state-sponsored terrorism against disciples was on like Donkey Kong. With targets on their backs as imperial scapegoats, the followers of Jesus scatter and go underground.

This would explain why Paul describes that his first court appearance “no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me” (v15). He stood alone against Roman legal machine. No attorney. No public defender. When he looked over his shoulder for support in the court, it was nothing but crickets and tumbleweeds.

A Public Show of Support

The man from Tarsus tells Tim how nobody wanted to be seen with him. The phrase the ESV translates as “came to stand” is actually one word in the original language (Gr. παραγινομαι/paraginomai). It means to show up publicly at a place for a distinct purpose, whether helpful or hostile. The term can describe making a public appearance with someone in order show your support.

Matthew tells us how “Jesus came (Gr. παραγινομαι/paraginomai) from Galilee” to endorse his cousin John the Baptist’s campaign of repentance and baptism (Mt 3:14). The writer of Hebrews points out that “Christ appeared (Gr. παραγινομαι/paraginomai) as a high priest” to publicly demonstrate God’s blessings to come (Heb 9:11).

At that first hearing, Paul flew solo. Just in case we’re not paying attention, he goes out of his way to call the roll of his courtroom supporters. “All deserted me” (v16). In doing so, he drops the same term (Gr. εγκαταλειπω/egkateleipo) he used to describe being ditched by Demas a few verses back (2Tim 4:10). Is it at this court appearance that “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm” (2Tim 4:14)?

Paul’s Roman Friends

So who were the “all” he’s describing who bailed on him? Well, the apostle wrote to believers in Rome ten years before, around 56-57 AD (Rom 1:7). It’s in this letter we call the book of Romans where Paul beautifully unpacks how God has come to our cosmic rescue through His sinless Son.

Near the end of the letter, he says “hello” to 24 people by name,  as well as two full families, some unnamed brothers and sisters in the Lord, and then “all the saints who are with them” (Rom 16:3-15). This probably includes many of the same followers of Jesus who greeted him when he arrived in custody just a few years back in 61 AD (Acts 28:15-30).

The Fact of Loneliness

Six years later, they were gone. All gone. Gone except for his good friend Dr. Luke (2Tim 4:11). Paul will mention a few other folks he has some interaction with a bit later (2Tim 4:21). But on at that first appearance in court, he was alone. You could easily translate this as “at my first defense no one came to my defense.” Nobody dared be seen in public with him.

Author Thomas Wolfe writes that “loneliness…is the central and inevitable fact of human existence.” Paul knew what it was like to be abandoned by his closest friends. So did our Savior. Jesus’ agony on the cross included His friends running from him like scared rabbits and His Heavenly Dad turning away from Him. Paul takes comfort that our Lord knew loneliness so that we would never really be alone.

Grace Giver

Rather than throw those folks under the bus or fire up the social media flame thrower, he does just the opposite. “May it not be charged against them!” (v16). Paul understood the danger. He fully realized the circumstances. He tells Tim not to hold it against them.

Sound familiar? It brings back Jesus’ words to His Dad as He hung on a Roman cross. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:24). When a mob of religious bullies fired rocks at Stephen, he prayed to Jesus, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).

Instead of requiring revenge, Paul gives grace. Can we be honest here? Forgiveness for folks who ditched me when I needed them most is probably not be at the top of my to-do list. But the apostle knows that we really need to forgive others since God in Christ has forgiven us of so much more (Eph 4:32).

No Day at DisneyWorld

Who needs your mercy? Who needs your grace? Who’s deserted you in your time of need? Who’s hurt you…either intentionally or unintentionally? Let’s follow Paul’s lead and not hold it against them. If you need to, tell your friends where you stand. Tell them that there’s no reason to be angry about what somebody has done to you.

Let’s cut to the chase. There’s a pretty good chance your friends didn’t bail on you in court at a hearing that could result in a death sentence. Relax, I’m not saying what we’ve been through has been a day at DisneyWorld. Let’s take to heart Jesus’ words just before He headed home to Heaven. “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).

His Presence and His Power

It’s because of this promise that the apostle can write these amazing words. “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (v17). Despite the absence of everybody else, Jesus was personally there with him and gave him the power and ability to face any and every situation (Phil 4:13). Christ does that by giving us both His presence and His power.

That includes when it appears you’re flying solo in court. ESPECIALLY when you’re flying solo in court! Paul makes that point by using a term (Gr. παριστημι/paristemi) translated “stood” (v16). It describes standing together, appearing side-by-side, or coming alongside to help someone. Like before, the word is another legal term. It means to prove to be true or present evidence of truth.

Dr. Luke tells his friend Theophilus how Jesus proved His resurrection and “presented (Gr. παριστημι/paristemi) Himself alive” to His personal posse (Acts 1:3). When religious bullies call Peter and John on the carpet for healing a man with a birth defect, the apostles tell them that this miracle is powerful proof of who Jesus is. “By Him this man is standing (Gr. παριστημι/paristemi) before you well” (Acts 4:16).

The Indwelling Dynamo

The Lord not only gives us His presence but His power. Paul describes to Him how He “strengthened me” (v16). This is the Greek verb ενδυναμοω/endumano’o, which means to empower, make strong, or cause someone to have the ability to do or experience something they otherwise could not have done.

This compound word literally describes an “inner (Gr. εν-/en-) power (Gr. -δυναμοω/-dumano’o).” The core term is where we get the word “dynamo.” Through the power supply of the indwelling Holy Spirit, God allows every believer to tap into His unlimited strength. Iron Man’s arc reactor is a hamster on a wheel compared to what He’s given you and me.

This the third time in his two letters to Timothy where Paul credits Jesus as His source of supernatural strength. He thanks the Lord “who has given me strength (Gr. ενδυναμοω/endumano’o)” to serve Him (1Tim 1:12). He encourages Tim to “be strengthened (Gr. ενδυναμοω/endumano’o) by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 2:1).

The God Who Is ALWAYS with Us

Just as He did Paul, our Savior gives each one of us who follows Him His presence and His power. When everybody else bails and leaves you all alone, He is there. Remember, Jesus is God who is with us (Is 7:14; Mt 1:23). He promises to the God who is ALWAYS with us (Dt 31:6-8; Josh 1:5, 9; Mt 28:20; Heb 13:5). We may not see Him or feel Him, but our Lord is right there wherever we are, giving us His strength when our tank is on E.

 Jesus doesn’t just randomly throw some supernatural strength Paul’s way for him to use as he sees fit. The apostle He does it “so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed” (v17). In other words, the Lord powers up Paul to spread the word about the salvation God is offering through His one and only Son.

Search and Rescue

Ever since his amazing encounter with the resurrected Jesus outside Damascus, the apostle formerly known as Saul has made God’s message his personal mission. What exactly is this Good News? Our gracious God created a perfect universe and put our first parents in it. We broke it all through our rebellion and disobedience.

But our Creator didn’t just throw in the towel and turn His back on us. He sends His Son on the most breathtaking search and rescue mission in history. Jesus leaves the comforts of the heavenly palace to dive into the disgusting dumpster of our sin.

Taking Our Place

By taking on human flesh, Christ lives the life of perfect obedience to the Father we’ve failed to live. He dies the brutal death for our rebellion that we should have died. But that’s not all! He rises to a glorious new life that we certainly didn’t earn.

We place our trust in Who Jesus is and what He has done that we could never do for ourselves. We also place our trust in His commands. He wants God’s best for us. Obedience to God’s Word not only gives Him glory but also unlocks the overflowing, unlimited life that our Savior promises (Jn 10:10). This is the Gospel which Paul tells Tim has been “fully proclaimed” (v17). 

An Invitation to God’s Party

Then the apostle reminds his spiritual son how God has thrown the doors open to His kingdom for every people group on the planet to the party. Jesus personally handpicked Paul so that “the Gentiles might hear it” (v17). “Gentiles” is actually the Greek noun εθνος/ethnos. It’s the source of our word “ethnic.”

The term describes a people group, tribe, a multitude of people with something in common. It’s the largest unit into which the people of the world are divided based on their social or cultural community.

Paul’s Supernatural Assignment

Writers of the NT use this when talking about outsiders. Specifically, those outside the Jewish race and faith. For centuries, the Hebrew people expected God to send Messiah just for them. After all, they are God’s chosen people. But much to their surprise, He sent Messiah through the Jews to the entire world! There’s a big meeting at the home office in Jerusalem to hash this out (Acts 15:1-35).

Jesus picked Paul as His spokesman to non-Jews around the world (Acts 9:15; Rom 1:5; 15:8-12). Over and over and over again, the apostle reminds people of his supernatural assignment “the Gentiles (Gr. εθνος/ethnos)” (Rom 11:13; 15:16; Gal 1:16; 2:2; Eph 3:1, 7-8; 1Tim 2:7). If you’re a non-Jewish follower of the Jewish Messiah, you’ve got Paul to thank!

From Outsiders to Insiders

Think of Gentiles as people NOT like you. Foreigners. Outsiders. You know, THOSE people. People who speak a different language and wear weird clothes. Should we be building walls? I don’t know. But there’s one thing Jesus makes clear through Paul. He came to make outsiders insiders.

You can bet the apostle sees his various legal proceedings as a chance to spread the Gospel. He’s done it before (Acts 24:14-15, 24-25; 25:12-23). Paul leverages every opportunity he has to spread the message of grace. That’s because everybody needs a Savior (Rom 3:10-12; 3:23). You. Me. Us. Them. Only Jesus transforms outsiders into insiders.

From the Courtroom to the Circus

Paul then seems to jump from the courtroom to the circus when he says, “I was rescued from the lion’s mouth” (v17). What in the name of Barnum and Bailey is he talking about? Remember, I’m not lion when I say Rome has made the followers of Jesus the target of terror. (Yeah, you’re right. That was awful.)

This could be a literal rescue from being used as bait for the big cats in some gruesome performance. God famously saved Daniel in the lion’s den back in the day (Dan 6:26-27). Maybe he’s referring to Nero specifically or his Roman authorities in general. While we can’t be sure from the text, it is clear that God had brought the apostle through a slew of close calls and brushes with death (2Cor 4:8-12; 11:23-28).

From the Penthouse to the Outhouse

Has your life been a series of wild swings? One moment you’re in the penthouse and the next in the outhouse. One moment folks give you the key to the city and the next their locking you up. One moment you’re surrounded by friends and the next you’re all alone.

No matter your situation, Jesus is there. He stands by you. He stands with you. He gives you His presence. He gives you His power. Just ask Paul.

Calling 9-1-1

“Do your best to come to me soon” (2Tim 4:9).

Who You Gonna Call?

You get one phone call. Maybe you need bail. Maybe your car broke down. Maybe you need prayer. Maybe you desperately just need someone be there. Whatever’s going on, you simply can’t do it alone.

You need help and you need it now. You’re in a bind. Your back’s against the wall. You’re pinned between the rock and the proverbial hard place.

Like the Ghostbusters say, “Who you gonna call?” Who’s your emergency contact. Who’s your lifeline? Who’s your first phone call? Who’s your personal 9-1-1 call?

Long before there were such things as 9-1-1, emergency numbers, or even telephones, folks still needed help in a hurry. Crank up the Flux Capacitor for 66 AD. The place is Rome’s infamous Mamertine Prison. The person is the Apostle Paul. The purpose is desperation. He needs help. Right. Now.

Drop Everything

The man from Tarsus sits on Death Row and knows he’s about to die. He’s poured his life out in worship to Jesus (2Tim 4:6). He’s gone the distance and is crossing the finish line in the obstacle course called life (2Tim 4:7). It won’t be long before he’s face to face with his Savior and receiving his reward (2Tim 4:8).

Paul can’t wait to see Jesus. He’s made that clear (2Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23). But there’s just one more thing he wants to do before that happens. He would love to see his friend Timothy one last time. “Do your best to come to me soon” (v9). Drop everything and get here quickly. Do not pass “Go.” Do not collect $200.

A Call from Paul

Imagine being THE one person Paul wants to see before he sees Jesus. I mean, the dude is on one of the shortest lists in history as a capital “A” Apostle of the Son of God! Christ personally handpicked this guy to tell non-Jewish people that God’s Messiah is for everyone (Acts 9:15; Rom 1:5; 11:13; 15:16; Gal 1:16; 2:2, 7-9; 3:8; 1Tim 2:7; 2Tim 4:17).

Paul has made three tours of the Mediterranean Rim telling people about Jesus. For Pete’s sake, He’s will have written 14 (and some say 15) books of what we now call the New Testament.

Paul’s Contact List

Put yourself in Tim’s sandals for just a moment. The apostle could have reached out any number of biblical VIPs in his time of need. I mean, he certainly had Peter and the other ten apostles on speed dial. He was friends with Jesus’ kid brother James (Acts 15:13; 21:18).

How about his original traveling buddy Barnabas (Acts 11:25; 13:1-14:28)? Titus certainly has the credentials (2Cor 2:13; 7:6-14; 8:6-23; 12:18; Gal 2:1-3; 2Tim 4:10; Titus 1:4). Silas would have to be near the top of the list (Acts 15:22-18:5; 2Cor 1:19; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1). Don’t forget Apollos (Acts 18:2-18; 1Cor 4:1; 16:12; Titus 3:13).

Paul could have called Aquila and Priscilla (Rom 16:3-5; 1Cor 16:19; 2Tim 4:19). Maybe Epaphras (Col 4:12; Phm 23) or Epaproditus (Phil 2:25-30; 4:15-18). He and Philemon go way back (Phm 1). The apostle could always count on Tychicus when the chips were down (Eph 6:21-22; Col 4:7-9; 2Tim 4:12; Titus 3:12).

We see a little later that Dr. Luke is already by his side (2Tim 4:11). The apostle also goes out of his way see if Tim can get John Mark to come with him as well (2Tim 4:11). You might be surprised to see Mark mentioned. Let’s just say Paul and Mark’s relationship is…well…complicated (Acts 13:13; 15:37-41). And these are just a few of the names in the apostle’s contacts!

Paul’s Spiritual Son

But most of all, Paul wants Timothy. And why not? He sees the young preacher as his spiritual son (1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2). God brought them together on his second tour of Turkey (Acts 16:1-3). From that point on, Tim was part of the apostle’s inner circle (Acts 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Rom 16:21).

Tim was Paul’s go-to guy for special assignments (1Cor 4:17; 16:10; 2:19-23; 1Th 3:2-6). The apostle has put him in charge of his beloved church plant in Ephesus (1Tim 1:3). He was right there when it came time to write to fellow followers of Jesus (2Cor 1:1; Phil 1:1; Col 1:1; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1; Phm 1).

Here at the end of Paul’s life, he has two important reasons to write Timothy. One, to personally pass the baton of ministry (2Tim 2:1-4:5). Two, encourage him to drop everything and get his tail to Rome so he can see his face one last time (v9; 2Tim 4:21). Let that sink in. Not only is the great apostle entrusting you with a critical position of leadership but he urgently wants to spend time with you in his final days.

Not Afraid to Ask for Help

“Do your best to come to me soon” (v9). This little verse speaks about the apostle. While his spiritual resume certainly puts ours to shame, he’s not afraid to ask for help. He’s not afraid to admit he’s lonely. He’s not afraid to be totally transparent.

How about you? Are you one of those folks who can’t show any weakness? Nobody sees the real you. You’re like the old line from the deodorant commercial, “Never let them see you sweat.” No matter what comes your way, you make sure you put up a front that you’ve got everything under control. There’s just one little problem. You don’t.

Ain’t Too Proud to Beg

If the Apostle Paul isn’t afraid to call 9-1-1, where do you and I get off thinking we have to handle stuff alone? Are the person in your small group who NEVER has problem? When it’s time for prayer request, you always respond with something like “I’m good” or “Too blessed to be stressed!”

Hey, I’m NOT saying you should manufacture something when life is truly good. But pull back the curtain. Let folks see the real you. Let people pray for you. Let God use others to help you. Don’t rob them of the blessing to help!

Take a lesson from Paul. He’s like Temptations. He ain’t too proud to beg! He ain’t too proud to ask for help. He ain’t too proud to call 9-1-1.

Don’t Walk…RUN!!

The apostle pleads with Tim to “do your best” (v9) to come for a visit. He uses the Greek verb σπουδαζω/spoudazo, which means to make haste, be eager, exert yourself, be diligent, work hard, or do something in a hurry and give it everything you’ve got. It emphasizes the zeal to get something done right now.

Paul’s not making a suggestion. He’s not dropping a hint. This is not some manipulative moment of passive aggression where he tells Tim, “Hey, if you get a chance.” Not even close.

Σπουδαζω/spoudazo actually comes from the root word for “foot” (Gr. πους/pous). In other words, Paul is telling the young preacher to move your feet! Beat feet, son! Hurry! Don’t walk…RUN!! From the apostle’s perspective, Tim can’t get to Rome fast enough.

Red Alert!

A little earlier in this letter, Paul encourages Timothy to be a tenacious Bible teacher and, “Do your best (Gr. σπουδαζω/spoudazo) to present yourself to God as one approved” (2Tim 2:15).

Two different times, our man Paul uses this very word when asking his friends to come see him immediately.  A few verses later, he tells Tim a second time, “Do your best (Gr. σπουδαζω/spoudazo) to come before winter” (2Tim 4:21). In his letter to Titus, he writes, “When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best (Gr. σπουδαζω/spoudazo) to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there” (Titus 3:12).

Just in case Tim’s tempted to put this trip on the back burner, the apostle emphasizes the urgency. This really must happen “soon” (Gr. ταχεως/tacheos), which accents that we’re talking quickly, hastily, at once, swiftly, and with great speed.

It’s the idea of ASAP. Urgent! Red alert! Scramble! Timothy is Paul’s 9-1-1 call.

Hurry!

When Jesus shows up at her brother’s funeral, people there see a grieving Mary sprint “quickly (Gr. ταχεως/tacheos) and go out” to meet Him (Jn 11:31). In her pain, Mary didn’t mess around and wait for Christ to find her.

Paul uses this same term when describing his own travel plans. He promises the Corinthians, “I will come soon (Gr. ταχεως/tacheos), if the Lord wills” (1Cor 4:15). He writes to the Philippian church how he not only will send Timothy “soon (Gr. ταχεως/tacheos)” (Phil 2:22) and also “trusts in the Lord that shortly (Gr. ταχεως/tacheos) I myself will come also” (Phil 2:15).

Big Ideas in an Urgent Little Plea

Don’t miss the VERY big ideas Paul crams into his short but urgent little plea. First of all, nobody stands alone. Not you. Not me. Not leaders. Not followers. Not even apostles. Remember what God said to Adam? Being alone is a bad idea. Being alone is NOT God’s idea.

Second, admit when you need help. Too many of us have believed the lie that asking for assistance reveals weakness. You know the old saying, “Never let them see you sweat.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Ask for help. Use your lifeline. Make that 9-1-1 call. You certainly don’t want to be Chicken Little. But don’t soft sell your situation either.

Third, be ready to respond when someone’s alone and in trouble. ESPECIALLY when they’re alone and in trouble. Too often I’m so self-absorbed that I fail to see a friend who’s hanging by a thread. I need to get my eyes off the dude in the mirror and start looking for someone in distress. Hello, McFly!

Fourth, when I get one of those 9-1-1 calls, I need to answer. Don’t ignore it. Don’t screen your calls. Don’t let it go to voicemail. Pick up. Find out what’s going on. And when you do, “do your best” (v9) to drop everything and get there in a hurry. The paraphrase in The Message couldn’t be more blunt. “Get here as fast as you can” (v9 The Message).

Saving Your Eternal Bacon

In the end, Paul is NOT hoping Timothy will save his eternal bacon. He’s made it crystal clear in everything he’s written that his trust is in Christ and Christ alone. Paul can’t save himself. Tim can’t do it either. Salvation is Jesus’ job. Period.

In the closing moments of the apostle’s letter, he goes out of his way to make that point a couple of more times. His Savior has done it before. “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me” (2Tim 4:17). His Savior will do it again. “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom” (2Tim 4:18).

Forsaken by the Father

Paul knows deep in his hear that because Jesus was abandoned, we never have to be. While He hung in agony on the cross just moments before His death, Christ shouted the opening line to Psalm 22 in Aramaic. “‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34).

The brutality and physical torture Jesus experienced is impossible for most of us to wrap our heads around. It’s what makes Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” so hard to watch.

But the deepest suffering our Savior experienced wasn’t the flogging. It wasn’t the nails. It wasn’t the spear piercing His ribcage. It was the separation and abandonment of His Dad.

Once Jesus actually took on every sin we ever committed or will commit, the Father had to turn His back on His one and only Son. Jesus’ cry from the cross is one of cosmic loneliness. He was abandoned so that we never have to be.

God is ALWAYS with Us

Fast forward a few days after the Lord’s resurrection to His final words to His followers on a mountain top. After instructing His disciples to keep making disciples, Christ makes one final promise. “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). “God with us” (Mt 1:23) is ALWAYS with us.

If you’ve placed your trust in Jesus, you’ll never be alone again. He’s with you. He’ll never ditch you. He’ll never bail on you. He’s with you ALWAYS. Don’t forget Christ came to your eternal rescue before you ever even thought of picking up the phone.

Paul holds that truth tight as he makes his 9-1-1 call to Timothy.

Li'l Fugitive and the Flash Go AWOL

“You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes” (2Tim 1:15).

Think it would be pretty cool to have your name in the Bible? Imagine one of the authors of Scripture dropping your name and people reading it for the next few thousand years. A mention, any mention, even in one of those long tedious lists of some family tree filled with names you can’t pronounce. 

But imagine your name making its way onto the pages of God’s Word as the bad example. You get timeless ink for all the wrong reasons. So maybe a regrettable tattoo isn’t the worst thing. That’s exactly what happens to a couple of Paul’s former friends as he writes to Timothy. “You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes” (v15). Apparently when the going got tough for the apostle, the folks he thought had his back got going in the opposite direction. Namely a couple of guys known as Li’l Fugitive and the Flash. 

We’ll get back to those guys in a moment. Allow me to bring you up to speed on Paul’s deal. He’s writing to his protege, a young pastor named Tim. The apostle is in Rome doing hard time in Caesar’s SuperMax, otherwise known as the Mamertine Prison. He’s on Death Row (2Tim 4:6-7). He desperately needs a visit from his spiritual son (2Tim 1:2; 4:9, 21). Most of the letter is loaded with urgent last minute instructions and encouragement. With the clock ticking down, the apostle passes the baton of ministry.

Paul is sure Tim’s got the scoop on what went down when the Romans arrested him. “You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me” (v15). Tim knows. Shoot, seems like everybody knew. It was in all the papers. The news of the apostle’s apprehension apparently went viral. But that’s not all. Believers in the region immediately turned their backs on the very one who brought them the Gospel in the first place. The followers of Jesus suddenly unfollowed Paul.

Is the apostle saying every person on the Asian continent ditched him? Most of us know Asia as the largest continent on the planet from our days in World Civ with four times more people than any other. That’s NOT the Asia he’s talking about. You see, back in the first century, Asia was the name of a Roman province in the western part of what we know today as Turkey. Asia was about the size of Nebraska. It included some familiar city names such as Ephesus and Colossae, places with churches to which Paul wrote. It’s also the zip code for the seven churches in Revelation that Jesus dictated letters to John about. That’s the Asia Paul’s talking about.

Nonetheless, “all who are in Asia turned away from” (v15) Paul. I would love to say “all” doesn’t really mean that. But a closer look at the original language leaves no wiggle room. “All” means all and that’s all that “all” means. Apparently one hundred percent of the believers bailed on the apostle. When he tells Tim how they “turned away,” the apostle uses a verb (Gr. apostrepho) which means to reject, refuse, or desert. It carries the idea of abandoning the right thing to do for some serious wrongdoing. This is a compound word meaning to separate (apo-) by turning (-strepho). Instead of having his back, they turned their backs and walked away. They left Paul twisting in the wind.

Does the apostle mean these folks also ditched their faith in Jesus? I guess there’s the chance that some did but that doesn’t seem to be what’s going on here. I strongly suspect these folks simply bailed on Paul at his arrest. Like cockroaches running when the light comes on, they bugged out when Roman authorities busted the man from Tarsus. According to Robertson, we don’t know if believers in the Roman province of Asia refused to help Paul when he was arrested or if they possibly ditched him at his trial. One way or the other, all he heard at this critical time was crickets. Paul? Who’s Paul? I don’t anybody named Paul.

At this point, this is where we logically talk about how we should always stand strong with our brothers and sisters in the faith. You DO know that’s the right thing to do, don’t you? But here’s the deal. Too many times the followers of Jesus pull the ripcord on any relationship that gets messy. As many have said, the church has a bad habit of shooting their wounded. Maybe it’s happened to you. If so, I’m VERY sorry. Maybe you had your finger on the trigger. If so, apologize and repent. Remember, every believer is jacked up. That’s why we trusted in Jesus to begin with. 

Let’s be blunt. People are going to bail on you. Fellow followers of Jesus are are going to bounce just when you need them the most. If it hasn’t happened to you yet, you can bet the farm it’s going to happen. Sometime. Somewhere. When the chips are down and you need a friend, there’s going to come a time when all you will see are tumbleweeds. 

Just ask Jesus what it’s like. His crew ran like scared rabbits when He was arrested. The leader of His team acted like he didn’t know Him, not once but THREE times (Ps 88:8, 18; Mt 26:56; Mk 14:50). And once our Savior took on the entire load of the world’s sin (and if you’re scoring at home, that includes yours and mine!), even His Heavenly Dad left Him all alone (Ps 22:1; Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34). 

Because He experienced absolute and total abandonment, we never have to face it ourselves. Our closest friends may punk out, but Jesus promises, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). He pledges His never-ending faithfulness and will “never leave you nor forsake you” (Dt  31:6, 8; Josh 1:8; Heb 13:5). Later in this letter to Timothy, Paul says Christ is faithful even when we aren’t (2Tim 2:13). You see, the God who is with us is ALWAYS with us. Even when the world gets the heck outta Dodge.

The apostle then drops the names of two guys who left him hanging, “Phygelus and Hermogenes” (v15). Imagine Paul specifically listing you as someone who left him in the lurch. Being named as a bad guy in the Bible is the ultimate black mark on your permanent record. But maybe, just maybe, the man from Tarsus didn’t name names. Maybe Phygelus and Hermogenes aren’t their real names at all. Could he be writing in code? Could he be calling them by their infamous new nicknames? 

The name Phygelus comes from the Greek verb phuego, which describes a hasty retreat from military aggression. We’re not talking about a casual stroll here. This is a sprint at high speed. It’s where we get our word “fugitive.” One researcher sees the name as a joke or putdown. It literally means the little fugitive or avoider. My guess is he was a real person but Paul spared him the embarrassment of using his real name. Instead he’s forever known as Li’l Fugitive.

His partner in crime is Hermogenes. His name is closely related to the Greek god Hermes. You may know him by his Roman name Mercury. This mythical deity was not just super quick but also slick trickster. Think of The Flash’s evil twin. Hermogenes’ name means “born from Hermes.” Whether this is a nickname or putdown he has earned, you can be sure Paul’s former friend turned his back with super speed. Now you see him. Now you don’t. 

This is the only time either of these dudes gets a mention in the Bible. Giving the Heisman to the man God used to spread the Gospel to the non-Jewish world and write most of the New Testament not exactly the rep you would want for the next 2,000-plus years. Apparently Paul cooked up a couple of aliases to save them some shame. The same can’t be said of Demas. Later in this letter, the apostle writes, “For Demas, in love with present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica” (2Tim 4:10). This is the very same guy who’s with Paul during his first time in custody (Col 4:14; Phm 24). 

I feel like I’ve seen this meme. 

Demas is a friend of Paul. 

Demas sees Paul arrested. 

Demas ditches Paul. 

Demas goes to Thessalonica.

Don’t be like Demas.

No, don’t be like Demas. Don’t be like Li’l Fugitive and the Flash and go AWOL.