The apostle Paul did not have a life void of trouble. His responsibilities as an apostle of Christ, and preacher of Christ, included persecution and hardship. As he wrote earlier, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (3:12). This did not weaken Paul to the point of spiritual backsliding. Rather, it strengthened him to the point of becoming the soldier of Christ we read about in the New Testament.

When Paul stood in defense at his hearing “no one stood with [him]” (4:16). This did not neglect Paul the ability to stand firm in his conviction of the truth. He might not have had anyone standing up for him in physical appearance, but he had something far better. “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (4:17). Paul wrote elsewhere that his strength was derived from Christ (cf. Philippians 4:13). His responsibility to preach to the Gentiles was fulfilled because he found strength in his Savior to carry out His will. In addition, it seems as though he was able to dodge, temporarily, his sentence of death.

Paul recognized even though his race was coming to an end it was not yet over. That he would need to remain faithful until the end is obvious for he found joy in the fact that the Lord would “deliver [him] from every evil work and preserve [him] for His heavenly kingdom” (4:18). Glory belongs to Christ for His unfailing aid, and strength! To Him we must turn for guidance and provision. Only He will continue to be with us through all things as we remain faithful!