The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well. II Timothy 1:16-18
This evening, as I knelt down in the divine presence of our Savior, I was led by the Holy Spirit to read the first chapter from II Timothy, deviating from my reading plan, for therein was the needed food for my soul. I pondered over each verse and was particularly drawn towards the character of "Onesiphorus". Here I will discuss the exemplary life of Onesiphorus as written by Paul to Timothy in II Timothy 1st chapter.
Onesiphorus means profit bearer or one who brings profit. Although we only see two references in Bible as it relates to Onesiphorus (II Timothy 1:16-18 and II Timothy 4:19), his character is one that is remarkable and worthy of emulation. Take especial note of the four wonderful statements on Onesiphorus by Paul, viz: a) he oft refreshed me b) he was not ashamed of my chain c) when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently and found me and d) he ministered unto me at Ephesus.
It appears that Onesiphorus refreshed Paul often. He either refreshed Paul by an encouraging word or by meeting a temporal need via food, water, shelter or clothing. He definitely was a man of action. If we look into why Jesus Christ came down to earth, we see that Christ's sole purpose was to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Onesiphorus clearly followed Christ and His faith was accompanied by works. Is our faith bereft of works?
Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's chain. Paul played a key role in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the gentiles and was thus imprisoned many times. When Paul was in prison, Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's chain for we each are called to be prisoners for Christ. II Timothy 3:12 says, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Are we turning away from those that are being persecuted for Christ like Phygellus and Hermogenes (II Timothy 1:15) or are we reaching out to them with the love of Christ and ministering to them as we are enabled? It is a question I am dwelling on and urge you, the reader to consider as well.
When Paul was in Rome, during the time when most Christians were persecuted, Onesiphorus diligently sought out for Paul and found him. In other words, Onesiphorus was a risk-taker for the sake of Christ and the Christians. Even when there was a potential for him to be thrown into the prison, he did not mind it. Remember, God will not forsake those who are persecuted (II Corinthians 4:9). Onesiphorus allowed God to use him to minister to Paul who was persecuted tremendously. God is still using Onesiphorus and his exemplary life even today to uplift us in our Christian walk. Are we yielding to God and actively furthering His kingdom? Let us take a moment to weigh this in our hearts.
Onesiphorus not only ministered to Paul in Rome but also in Ephesus. In this present day and age with the scientific and technological advancement we behold, we could minister to our fellow-members in the body of Christ in so many ways. We could send an encouraging note through an e-mail or a social network or place a phone call or continually pray or chip in some funds to help proclaim the gospel. There is a dire need that we act now for we know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (Matthew 25:13). Let us consider prayerfully how God could use us as His instrument.
May the Lord empower and equip us to be profit bearers for His glorious kingdom!
This evening, as I knelt down in the divine presence of our Savior, I was led by the Holy Spirit to read the first chapter from II Timothy, deviating from my reading plan, for therein was the needed food for my soul. I pondered over each verse and was particularly drawn towards the character of "Onesiphorus". Here I will discuss the exemplary life of Onesiphorus as written by Paul to Timothy in II Timothy 1st chapter.
Onesiphorus means profit bearer or one who brings profit. Although we only see two references in Bible as it relates to Onesiphorus (II Timothy 1:16-18 and II Timothy 4:19), his character is one that is remarkable and worthy of emulation. Take especial note of the four wonderful statements on Onesiphorus by Paul, viz: a) he oft refreshed me b) he was not ashamed of my chain c) when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently and found me and d) he ministered unto me at Ephesus.
It appears that Onesiphorus refreshed Paul often. He either refreshed Paul by an encouraging word or by meeting a temporal need via food, water, shelter or clothing. He definitely was a man of action. If we look into why Jesus Christ came down to earth, we see that Christ's sole purpose was to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Onesiphorus clearly followed Christ and His faith was accompanied by works. Is our faith bereft of works?
Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's chain. Paul played a key role in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the gentiles and was thus imprisoned many times. When Paul was in prison, Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's chain for we each are called to be prisoners for Christ. II Timothy 3:12 says, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Are we turning away from those that are being persecuted for Christ like Phygellus and Hermogenes (II Timothy 1:15) or are we reaching out to them with the love of Christ and ministering to them as we are enabled? It is a question I am dwelling on and urge you, the reader to consider as well.
When Paul was in Rome, during the time when most Christians were persecuted, Onesiphorus diligently sought out for Paul and found him. In other words, Onesiphorus was a risk-taker for the sake of Christ and the Christians. Even when there was a potential for him to be thrown into the prison, he did not mind it. Remember, God will not forsake those who are persecuted (II Corinthians 4:9). Onesiphorus allowed God to use him to minister to Paul who was persecuted tremendously. God is still using Onesiphorus and his exemplary life even today to uplift us in our Christian walk. Are we yielding to God and actively furthering His kingdom? Let us take a moment to weigh this in our hearts.
Onesiphorus not only ministered to Paul in Rome but also in Ephesus. In this present day and age with the scientific and technological advancement we behold, we could minister to our fellow-members in the body of Christ in so many ways. We could send an encouraging note through an e-mail or a social network or place a phone call or continually pray or chip in some funds to help proclaim the gospel. There is a dire need that we act now for we know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (Matthew 25:13). Let us consider prayerfully how God could use us as His instrument.
May the Lord empower and equip us to be profit bearers for His glorious kingdom!
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