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| 2 Timothy 1:17 |
But, when he was in Rome, he sought
me out very diligently, and found me.
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This final section of chapter 1 has four
verses:
2 Timothy 1:15-18
15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in
Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus
and Hermogenes [huhr-MOJ-uh-neez].
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus
[On·e·siph'o·rus];
for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my
chain:
17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very
diligently, and found me.
18 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.
We will begin, as we often do, with the Barclay
commentary.
THE FAITHLESS MANY AND
THE FAITHFUL ONE
2 Timothy 1:15–18
...paraphrased of the
verses
You know this, that as a whole the people who live
in Asia deserted me, and among the deserters are
Phygelus [fĭ-jĕl'ŭs]
and Hermogenes [huhr-MOJ-uh-neez].
May the Lord give mercy to the family of Onesiphorus
[On·e·siph'o·rus],
because he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed
of my chain. So far from that, when he arrived in
Rome he eagerly sought me out and found me – may the
Lord grant to him mercy from the Lord on that day –
and you know better than I do the many services he
rendered in Ephesus.
HERE is a passage in which pathos [pity,
suffering] and joy are combined. In the
end, the same thing happened to Paul as happened to
Jesus, his Master. His friends forsook him and fled.
In the New Testament, Asia is not the continent of
Asia, but the Roman province which consisted of the
western part of Asia Minor. Its capital was the city
of Ephesus. When Paul was imprisoned, his friends
abandoned him – most probably out of fear. The
Romans would never have proceeded against him on a
purely religious charge; the Jews must have
persuaded them that he was a dangerous troublemaker
and disturber of the public peace. There can be no
doubt that in the end Paul would be held on a
political charge. To be a friend of a man like that
was dangerous, and in his hour of need his friends
from Asia abandoned him because they were afraid for
their own safety.
But, although others deserted Paul, one man was
loyal to the end. His name was Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus],
which means profitable. In his book, The Problem of
the Pastoral Epistles, P. N. Harrison draws a vivid
picture of Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus]’
search for Paul in Rome: ‘We seem to catch glimpses
of one purposeful face in a drifting crowd, and
follow with quickening interest this stranger from
the far coasts of the Aegean {ih-JEE-uhn],
as he threads the maze of unfamiliar streets,
knocking at many doors, following up every clue,
warned of the risks he is taking but not to be
turned from his quest; till in some obscure
prison-house a known voice greets him, and he
discovers Paul chained to a Roman soldier. Having
once found his way Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus]
is not content with a single visit, but, true to his
name, proves unwearied in his ministrations. Others
have flinched from the menace and ignominy [ig-nuh-min-ee--disrepute]
of that chain; but this visitor counts it the
supreme privilege of his life to share with such a
criminal the reproach of the [Stake].
One series of turnings in the vast labyrinth (of
the streets of Rome) he comes to know as
if it were his own Ephesus.’ There is no doubt that,
when Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus]
sought out Paul and came to see him again and again,
he took his life in his hands. It was dangerous to
keep asking where a certain criminal could be found;
it was dangerous to visit him; it was still more
dangerous to keep on visiting him; but that is what
Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus]
did.
Again and again, the Bible brings us face to face
with a question which is real for every one of us.
Again and again, it introduces and dismisses a man
from the stage of history with a single sentence.
Hermogenes [huhr-MOJ-uh-neez]
and Phygelus [fĭ-jĕl'ŭs]
– we know nothing whatever of them beyond their
names and the fact that they were traitors to Paul.
Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus]
– we know nothing of him except that in his loyalty
to Paul he risked – and perhaps lost – his life.
Hermogenes [huhr-MOJ-uh-neez]
and Phygelus [fĭ-jĕl'ŭs]
go down in history branded as deserters; Onesiphorus
[On·e·siph'o·rus]
goes down in history as the friend who stuck closer
than a brother. If we were to be described in one
sentence, what would it be? Would it be the verdict
on a traitor, or the verdict on a disciple who was
true? ~Barclay commentary
Now to the other commentaries. We will
begin with the general and go to the specific.
Here is the commentary from the Matthew Henry
Concise which covers verses 15-18.
The apostle mentions the constancy of Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus];
he oft refreshed him with his letters, and counsels,
and comforts, and was not ashamed of him. A good man
will seek to do good. The day of death and judgment
is an awful day. And if we would have mercy then, we
must seek for it now of the Lord. The best we can
ask, for ourselves or our friends, is, that the Lord
will grant that we and they may find mercy of the
Lord, when called to pass out of time into eternity,
and to appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
~Matthew Henry Concise
Let us go now to the F. B. Meyer...
Some of Paul’s former friends shrank from
identifying themselves with a suspect-the inmate of
the condemned cell. It was no light matter to visit
the bearer of a name which the world of that day
detested, one who belonged to a sect accused of
burning Rome. Demas and others forsook him, but the
good Ephesian, Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus],
set about seeking him through all the prisons of
Rome, and was not ashamed of his chain nor content
with a single visit. He oft refreshed his friend.
Paul sends a grateful message to his family. Perhaps
there is here a gentle hint to Timothy. Compare 2
Timothy 1:8 and 2 Timothy 1:16. Never shrink from
taking your place beside Christ’s prisoners!
~F. B. Meyer
Quoted verses:
2 Timothy 1:8 [See
Lesson]
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of
our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou
partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according
to the power of God;
2 Timothy 1:16 [See
Lesson]
The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus];
for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my
chain:
Now to the specific commentaries.
From the Popular Commentary:
Sought me out very diligently
- Literally, ‘more diligently,’ as by an
implied comparison with the conduct of others, or
with the average of what was common. Others turned
away. He came to Rome and never rested till he had
found out where the prisoner of the Lord was kept in
custody, and then he came with loyal and loving
kindness. ~Popular
Commentary
But when he was in Rome
- What was the employment of Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus],
is not known. It may have been that he was a
merchant, and had occasion to visit Rome on
business. At all events, he was at pains to search
out the apostle, and his attention was the more
valuable because it cost him trouble to find him. It
is not everyone, even among professors of religion,
who in a great and splendid city would be at the
trouble to search out a Christian brother, or even a
minister, who was a prisoner, and endeavor to
relieve his sorrows. This man, so kind to the great
apostle, will be among those to whom the Saviour
will say, at the final judgment, “I was in prison,
and ye came unto me;” Matthew 25:36.
~Barnes Notes
When he was in Rome -
Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus],
was no doubt an Asiatic, (probably
an Ephesian), who had frequent business
at Rome; and when he came sought out the apostle,
who, it is supposed, had been confined in some close
and private prison, so that it was with great
difficulty he could find him out. This man had
entertained the apostle when he was at Ephesus, and
now he sought him out at Rome. Pure love feels no
loads. Here was a true friend, one that sticketh
closer than a brother.
~Adam Clarke
But when he was in Rome
- Upon some business or another, where the apostle
was a prisoner:
He sought me out very
diligently, and found me - as there might be
many prisons in Rome, he went from one to another,
till he found him; and was one of those to whom
Christ will say hereafter, "I was in prison and ye
came unto me", Matthew 25:36 or the reason of his
going from place to place in quest of him was this;
the apostle was not in any particular place of
confinement, but had a lodging where he was kept by
a soldier, and which with some difficulty
Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus],
found out: the manner of his bonds was this; he had
a long chain fastened at one end to his right arm,
and at the other to the left arm of the soldier that
kept him, who constantly attended him in this form,
wherever he went; and it is possible that in this
way he might have liberty to go about and visit his
friends; and this might still make it more difficult
for Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus],
to find him. ~John Gill
At this point I want to look at the Strong's on the
phrase, "very diligently." How is this different
from, "diligently?" There are a number of words in
the Bible which are rendered, "diligently." We will
look at one and compare it to our verse of this
lesson, 2 Timothy 1:17
First, a dictionary definition
Diligent
adjective
1. constant in effort to accomplish something;
attentive and persistent in doing anything: a
diligent student.
2. done or pursued with persevering attention;
painstaking: a diligent search of the files.
Now a verse using the word, "diligently":
Luke 15:8
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if
she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and
sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find
it?
G1960
ep-ee-mel-oce'
Adverb from a derivative of G1959; carefully: -
diligently.
2 Timothy 1:17
But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very
diligently, and found me.
G4706
spoudaioteron
spoo-dah-yot'-er-on
Neuter of G4707 as adverb; more earnestly than
others), that is, very promptly: - very diligently.
What we see here is that Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus]
was diligent in his search for Paul and his
diligence was at a level more earnest than others
invoking diligence.
Let us look at some Salvation Process scriptures
that use the word, "diligence."
Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are
the issues of life.
2 Corinthians 8:7
Strong's 4710
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith,
and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence,
and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this
grace also.
Hebrews 6:11
Strong's 4710
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same
diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the
end:
2 Peter 1:5
Strong's 4710
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your
faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2 Peter 1:10
Strong's 4704
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to
make your calling and election sure: for if ye do
these things, ye shall never fall:
G4704
spoudazō
spoo-dad'-zo
From G4710; to use speed, that is, to make effort,
be prompt or earnest: - do (give)
diligence, be diligent (forward),
endeavour, labour, study.
G4710
spoudē
spoo-day'
From G4692; “speed”, that is, (by
implication) despatch, eagerness,
earnestness: - business, (earnest)
care (-fulness),
diligence forwardness, haste.
So in our diligent quest of Salvation, we exhibit
promptness, speed, haste and eagerness. Onesiphorus
[On·e·siph'o·rus]
did all of these things but coupled with
perseverance and loyalty to Paul which took him to
Strong's 4706 and the higher level of diligence.
Let us finish with some quotes on diligence and a
few words about Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus]
.
"To be idle is a short road to death and to be
diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle,
wise people are diligent."
"You really have to work hard and apply yourself and
by applying yourself and working hard and being
diligent, you can achieve success."
“There are two days in my calendar: This day and
that Day [the moment of
judgment].”
“What we hope ever to do with ease, we must first
learn to do with diligence.”
“When God calls you to build 100 castles on earth
and you built 98, take the 99th as if it's the
beginning of your work and work hard to finish the
race with all excellence. Go the extra mile!”
“Diligence and hard work sensitize you to recognize
opportunity.”
Who or what was Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus]?
What was it about him that got him mentioned in the
Word of God, which is our handbook to Salvation?
We do not have his history or words. The
abundance of things you do find about him are based
on conjecture, supposition and guesswork. Most
of these assumptions about Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus]
originate in the Catholic church. I
doubt any books have been written about him.
All we have is a short account of a mission he
carried out. He remained loyal to Paul and
despite the danger, sought him out.
I suppose we could point to a number of elements
about Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus].
I will offer one here.
There are two things that motivate how humans
operate. Some are motivated by having while
the rest are motivated by being. Clearly you
were called to being one motivated by being.
Jesus knew this and we see the account in Matthew
19.
Matthew 19:21-23
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go
and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and
thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and
follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went
away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say
unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into
the kingdom of heaven.
Surely this man was motivated by possessions.
There is no condemnation here regarding possessions.
The negative element being exposed in Matthew 19 is
being one motivated by having. This type of
person is seeking the having. His mind is
focused on the world. Those motivated by being
are beyond possessions and into things spiritual.
Notice some scriptures.
Matthew 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves
break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where
thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart
be also.
Luke 12:15
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of
covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the
abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Matthew 16:26
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the
whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a
man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born
for adversity.
The phrase, "a brother is born of adversity." is
saying that a brother's love is specially seen in
adversity. Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus]
is positively a brother whose love was especially
seen in the adversity of that moment he sought out
his friend Paul. Onesiphorus [On·e·siph'o·rus]
is a loyal, loving, diligent and persevering
brother, and this is the lesson of verse 17.
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