Pastoral Letters Devotion

15

Good morning everyone! I pray your week has been somewhat bearable as we start to head into the heavy grind. So since Ryley just went through verses 13-14, I will be going through the passages 15-18. So lets dive right in! “ You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.” When Paul is writing, he is not meaning the Asia that we know today. When he was anywhere in the province of the Roman government he was in the Western part of Asia Minor. Also at this time, the Roman government would not have put him in prison only on the accusation of preaching a different religion, so it is thought that the Jews must have made Paul out to be a disturber of peace and just an outright dangerous man that the Romans should be scared of. Since he was made out to be this type of person, i don’t know about you but i would be scared for my life since I had been in relationship with him. If they went after him, they would have no problem going after those who he worked with. Since that is what was happening his friends up and left him.

You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16-17

May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains

Next verse 16-18 says, “May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.” When looking at this passage, it is shown that a man named Onesiphorus was a blessing to Paul in times of struggle. He refreshed him by going to see him again and again unlike Phygelus and Hermogenes who deserted him as soon as they saw the danger of being associated with a man like Paul. Even though asking where a prisoner is being held is a very dangerous task, Onesiphorus saw the good in it. Though he could have lost his life looking for Paul he searched high and low for him anyways, because like the scripture says, he was not ashamed of the chains he was stuck in. And when he would visit Paul, Paul explained that he was refreshed. By being with Onesiphorus visiting Paul, He would be then revived or renewed. No matter what came his way, he did not give up trying to look for Paul. You don’t have to answer this, just a question, how many of us start thinking about or actually giving up when something is not going right, or if it gets too dangerous? Like Onesiphorus could have been killed, would you be willing to do that? i know for me, it would be a real struggle getting to the point where i am not afraid to die.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.

One thing that has been under the microscope of many theologians is the idea that at the point of writing this, Onesiphorus could actually be dead. But at the same time, it is up to personal judgment and choice. The reason why this is being said is because of the fact that it doesn’t say Paul is praying for him specifically but his household and family.

May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.”. When looking at this passage, it is shown that a man named Onesiphorus was a blessing to Paul in times of struggle. He refreshed him by going to see him again and again unlike Phygelus and Hermogenes who deserted him as soon as they saw the danger of being associated with a man like Paul. Even though asking where a prisoner is being held is a very dangerous task, Onesiphorus saw the good in it. Though he could have lost his life looking for Paul he searched high and low for him anyways, because like the scripture says, he was not ashamed of the chains he was stuck in.

18

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. When looking at this passage, it is shown that a man named Onesiphorus was a blessing to Paul in times of struggle. He refreshed him by going to see him again and again unlike Phygelus and Hermogenes who deserted him as soon as they saw the danger of being associated with a man like Paul. Even though asking where a prisoner is being held is a very dangerous task, Onesiphorus saw the good in it. Though he could have lost his life looking for Paul he searched high and low for him anyways, because like the scripture says, he was not ashamed of the chains he was stuck in. No matter what came his way, he did not give up trying to look for paul. You dont have to answer this, just a question, how many of us start thinking about or actually giving up when something is not going right, or if it gets too dangerous? Like Onesiphorus could have been killed, would you be willing to do that? i know for me, it would be a real struggle getting to the point where i am not afraid to die.

Keeping in mind the fact that Paul most likely believes Onesiphorus is dead he still sends a prayer for him May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.” Paul wanted to make one last blessing upon Onesiphorus. For everything that he did for Paul in some of his moments, it was the least he could do for him and his family. He gave his life to be with Paul when no one else would, when everyone else abandoned because they couldn’t see the pros overtop of the cons so they left him when he needed people the most. Again, you dont have to answer but i just want to end with this one thought. Have you ever been in such a low point where you really needed people by your side but there was no one? now imagine you being in paul’s shoes and being locked up in a prision where there would have been very little light, and how depressing that would have been. But then out of no where someone comes up and walks along side you and helps you along the way, that would mean the world to anyone. That is what Onesiphorus did for Paul.

Reference

Fee, G. D. (1988). 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Barclay, W. (2003). The Letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (3rd ed. fully rev. and updated). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.

Belleville, L., Laansma, J., Michaels, J. R. (2009). 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews (Cornerstone Biblical Commentary). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., van Oosterzee, J. J., Washburn, E. A., Harwood, E. (2008). A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: 1 & 2 Timothy. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife