Faithfulness in all our service, not just prominence, will be rewarded.
Onesiphorus (sounds like, one-is-for-us), one who was loyal to Paul when others deserted him in prison. 2 Timothy 1:16
Paul’s second letter to Timothy was mainly instructions on how he should direct the affairs of the Church, but in the middle and end of it we find references to this individual. Onesiphorus apparently means, ‘one bringing usefulness’ and his name is recorded for us because of his help to Paul. So far as we know, he wasn’t part of any church plan to help the apostle, he acted on his own initiative to ‘refresh’ Paul.
May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 2 Timothy 1:16
What does it mean he ‘refreshed’ the apostle? Looking at some other Bible versions may help us to understand more fully.
The Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and showed me kindness [COMFORTING AND REVIVING ME LIKE FRESH AIR] and he was not ashamed of my chains [for Christ’s sake]; AMP
HE OFTEN CHEERED ME UP and wasn’t ashamed of me when I was put in jail. CEV
But may the Lord have mercy on the household of Onesiphorus. MANY TIMES DID THAT MAN PUT FRESH HEART INTO ME! PHILIPS
HIS VISITS REVIVED ME like a breath of fresh air, (Not like a wet blanket!) TLB
HE OFTEN TOOK CARE OF MY NEEDS (Practical help for the jailed apostle) and wasn’t ashamed that I was a prisoner. NOG
This man went looking for Paul to help him when others had abandoned him, probably other Church leaders included.
On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 2 Timothy 1:17
Ruth, the Moabitess, insisted that she wouldn’t leave her mother in law, Naomi; gleaning the leftovers after the harvesters and was rewarded by becoming the great grandmother of King David and the line of the Messiah.
Jesus, speaking of the final judgement said;
34 ‘Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was ill and you looked after me, I WAS IN PRISON AND YOU CAME TO VISIT ME.” Matthew 25
A man who served Paul and looked after his needs when others had abandoned him, had the apostle’s prayers and his name has been read by Believers for two millennia. The faithfulness of our service, not just the prominence will be rewarded.
God bless and keep you today.
