---

I. PAUL FORSAKEN, AND YET FORGIVING THOSE WHO HAD WITHDRAWN FROM HIM.

1. The apostle was forsaken by his friends when most he needed them.

2. Paul's friends leaving him, made him the more helpless.

3. Paul's friends leaving him, discovered their frailty.

4. The apostle's forgiving spirit is particularly worthy of our notice.

II. PAUL UPHELD, AND THEREFORE PREACHING.

1. Paul was upheld by Divine grace.

2. The Lord was present with His servant.

3. The Lord stood by the apostle that his kind of preaching might be fully known.

4. We who are Gentiles have heard the apostle's kind of preaching.

III. PAUL DELIVERED, AND SO ACKNOWLEDGING.

1. This was a seasonable deliverance.

2. This was a great deliverance.

3. The Lord was the accomplisher of this deliverance.

4. Paul gratefully acknowledges his deliverance.

IV. PAUL ENCOURAGED, AND THEREFORE GLORIFYING.

1. The apostle was encouraged to look for a glorious destination — heavenly kingdom — the kingdom of glory.

2. The apostle was encouraged to look for Divine preservation — shall deliver still.

3. The apostle was encouraged in his expectations by former deliverances (2 Corinthians 11:24-27; 31-33).

4. In the whole, Paul glorified the Lord.Conclusion:

1. To those who question us with regard to our hope, we should be able to give an answer.

2. We should exercise a forgiving spirit towards our brethren.

3. When we feel our own weakness, this should lead us to look to the Lord for assistance.

4. We should glorify God for all our deliverances.

5. We should remember that the Lord alone can save and preserve us. What will those do who forget this?

(John Miller.)

---

---

KJV: 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.

WEB: At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.