Onesiphorus

 

In the first chapter of 2 Timothy, while Paul is stuck in a Roman prison, we learn of a man named Onesiphorus who was a true friend to the apostle when no one else was.   

 

Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity

 

Things to think about:

·       The context here is Paul is in a Roman jail and everyone has abandoned him. 

o   2 Tim. 1:15 - You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

·       Onesiphorus means “Profit bearing” or “bringing a benefit”

o   All friendships should be mutually beneficial.  Onesiphorous definitely made Paul’s situation better.

·       2 Tim. 1:16 - May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me …

o   “He often refreshed me” – going through a challenging season of life can be exhausting

o   “often” - For Onesiphorus, being there for his friend was a lifestyle 

o   “refreshed” conjures up thoughts of comfort and hope

·       2 Tim. 1:16 (continued) – “and was not ashamed of my chains.”

o   Sometimes being someone’s friend means being there even when it’s not cool to be their friend.

o   Proverbs 19:4 - Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.

·       2 Tim. 1:17 – On the contrary, he searched hard for me until he found me

o   Friends are intentional

o   Friends are persistent

·       Onesiphorus’s character is reinforced when Paul says in verse 18, “You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.”

o   This wasn’t anything new, Onesiphorus had a servant’s heart

·       Proverbs 18:24 - One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

o   In John 15:15, Jesus says to you and me, “I no longer call you servants, …but I have called you friends.’

o   To one another and to our Lord let’s be:

§  Profitable

§  Intentional

§  Persistent

§  Consistent

§  Unashamed