A short biblical study on Onesiphorus- Sunday commemorating all the departed.

Verses for reflection: 2 Timothy 1:15-18 and 2 Timothy 4:19

Icon of Onesiphorus taken from oca.org

In the run-up to the great journey called the Great Lent we remember all the departed ones before the Sunday commemorating the miracle at the wedding at Cana. In relation to that let us study about a courageous man named Onesiphorus.

The name ‘Onesiphorus means "bringing advantage/beneficial". He is mentioned in the New Testament in 2 Timothy 1:16-18 and 2 Timothy 4:19. The passages are as below:

“This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.” (2 Timothy 1:15-18; NKJV)

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus” (2 Timothy 4:19; NKJV)

It is in the former verse that we get a small glimpse of this heroic figure named ‘Onesiphorus’. We understand from this passage that Onesiphorus was from Ephesus. He was not only a kind-hearted man but also a very courageous fellow. To be a helper to St Paul was easier said than done. St Paul says that Onesiphorus ‘was not ashamed of my chain’. St Paul was treated like a criminal in the Roman justice system. To be associated with a criminal was extremely dangerous. Perhaps that could be the reason that many deserted the apostle, fearing their own lives.

St Paul also says “he sought me out very zealously and found me”- this shows how brave Onesiphorus was. Imagine looking for and inquiring with people about a man who has been branded as a notorious criminal!  Onesiphorus own life would have been in grave danger, but instead of being ashamed and scared about association with St Paul, Onesiphorus’ servant heart reached out to the apostle whenever he needed it. His trusted friends had deserted him, and in these testing times, St Paul found a helping hand in Onesiphorus. St Paul vividly says ‘for he often refreshed me’. In the dark period of abandonment- Onesiphorus revived St Paul like a breath of fresh air. True to his name, Onesiphorus brought spiritual comfort to St Paul. It is worth thinking as how many of us would bring spiritual comfort in the lives of others?

There is another aspect worth noting in these two verses.

1) Onesiphorus’s household/family is mentioned twice by St Paul in the second letter to Timothy. In the second instance, St Paul doesn’t ask Timothy to greet Onesiphorus. Instead, he says: “Greet Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus” (2 Timothy 4:19).

2) Secondly, all of Onesiphorus’ earthly actions are spoken of in the past tense. On a quick note it may seem that the apostle is narrating Onesiphorus’s service when St Paul needed it, but St Paul further adds and praises Onesiphorus for “the services he rendered in Ephesus,” without referring to any services that he is currently rendering.

3) Thirdly, note the difference in St Paul’s prayers for Onesiphorus and his household.

• For  Onesiphorus’ household: “The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus” (verse 16).
• For Onesiphorus-  “The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day” (verse 18)

St Paul prays about Onesiphorus’s family in the present tense, whereas only for Onesiphorus, it’s something to do with future.

All these points demonstrate that Onesiphorus has departed from the earthly life while this letter was written. If not, why isnt St Paul asking Timothy to greet Onesiphorus; instead he asks to greet his family. If not, why are only past earthly actions of Onesiphorus spoken of and there is no mention of his current ministry while St Paul is writing the letter. If not, why is the prayer for Onesiphorus and his household different?

“The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day”.

St Paul prayed that the Lord has mercy on Onesiphorus’ soul on His Second Coming. Praying for the departed ones is entrenched in the Holy Scripture- it’s a biblical reality.

‘Onesiphorus’ name meant "bringing advantage/beneficial". In his earthly life, Onesiphorus was beneficial to St Paul in joy and in chains. Truly, St Paul’s prayer for his beloved departed friend would have indeed been a source of comfort for Onesiphorus.

May the intercessions and prayers of the holy apostles, saints and martyrs be a source of comfort for us and our departed ones.

Lord have mercy!

In Christ,
Rincy John