The Alexander the coppersmith
who withstood Paul's words(II Timothy 4:14-15) was most likely the Jewish craftsman
at Ephesus (Acts 19:33-34) who as an adversary of the gospel would have
despised Paul and because of his trade would have sympathized with the idolatrous craftsmen
No doubt his defence would have been to explain that the
Jews were not in any way to be blamed for the decline of the town's idolatrous lucrative business, but only Paul
and his associates
Paul expressed confidence that the Lord would reward Alexander
"according to his works" for "vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19 cf.Deuteronomy 32:35,41)
Paul's situation at his "first answer"(II Timothy 4:16)
was much like that of His Lord when "they all forsook him and fled"
(Mark 14:50)
Paul like His Lord had the same heart of intercession
for those who in cowardice deserted him (II Timothy 4:16 cf.Luke 22:31-32)
Even though man forsook him - the Lord did not and delivered
him from the mouth of the Lion", i.e. Satan(II Timothy 4:17 cf.Psalms 22:21)
It was Satan's hope that Paul through the fear of death
would compromise or deny the truth, so as to prevent the preaching from being "made fully known" (II Timothy 4:17 cf.I Corinthians 13:12)
Satan will use this same fear of death tactic against
the Tribulation saints (Revelation 2:10)
Paul's confidence was that the Lord would see him through to
His heavenly kingdom (II Timothy 4:18)