2 Timothy 4:16

Customarily under Roman law accused prisoners underwent a preliminary hearing before their trial. At this hearing, witnesses could speak on behalf of the accused. In Paul’s case no one had come to his defense. This was probably because when Rome burned in July of A.D. 64 Nero blamed the Christians, and from then on it was dangerous to be a known Christian in Rome. Neither local Christians nor Paul’s fellow workers were willing to stand with the apostle (cf. Matthew 26:56). Paul hoped the Lord would not hold their failure against them (cf. Psalms 32:2; Luke 23:34).