Paul is angry and hurt. "Alexander the coppersmiths did me much harm. May The Lord repay him according to his works...At my first defense, no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them" (2 Timothy 4:14-16). He prays that God takes revenge on one of his enemies, but asks God to forgive those who left him in his greatest hour of need. Why pray against one and for the other?
We sometimes put so much focus on God's mercy and forgiveness that we tend to condemn all anger. But the scripture does not teach against rightful anger. A man with a withered hand came into the synagogue and the Pharisees "watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so they might accuse Him." Jesus healed the man. "Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with Herodians against Him. (Mark 3:1-6)
Jesus prayed that God would forgive those who crucified him because they did not understand what they were doing. But he said of the Pharisees that their sins would not be forgiven because they knew what they were doing (John 9:40-41, 11:41-53).
There will be times when we must purposely walk away from those who harm us (Mark 10:14-15).
