Survey of the Letters of Paul back to the top     back to main page for this verse 2 Timothy 1:17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. 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. back to the top     back to main page for this verse