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“Alexander the smith did many evil things against me. The Lord will render to him according to his works” (2 Timothy 4:14 JND).
“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” (2 Timothy 4:16).
Alexander was evidently a bad man, although it seems that he had said he was a Christian in the past. We do not know whether he was a true Christian or not, but he was a real enemy of Paul, and Timothy was told to beware of him too. Paul does not ask the Lord to pardon him, but simply predicts that He will reward him according to his works.
However, when some dear brethren, no doubt from fear, had left Paul all alone when he stood before Caesar, Paul realized that they were real, and asked the Lord not to lay it to their charge. This was showing the same grace that the Lord Jesus had shown when being nailed to the cross; He had said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). God is gracious towards weakness, but firm towards real opposition to the truth. We should act the same way.
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