Now, when the Jews were trying to destroy the infant church, Nicodemus came forward in its defense. No longer cautious and questioning, he encouraged the faith of the disciples and used his wealth in helping to sustain the church at Jerusalem and in advancing the work of the gospel. Those who in other days had paid him reverence, now scorned and persecuted him, and he became poor in this world's goods; yet he faltered not in the defense of his faith.

Nu, hvor jøderne prøvede at tilintetgøre den unge menighed, kom Nikodemus frem for at forsvare den. Nu var han ikke mere forsigtig og tvivlende, men han opmuntrede disciplenes tro og benyttede sin rigdom til hjælp for opretholdelsen af menigheden i Jerusalem og til at fremme evangeliets tjeneste. De, som tidligere havde vist ham ærbødighed, foragtede og forfulgte ham nu, og han blev fattig på denne verdens gods. Dog vaklede han aldrig i sit forsvar for troen.