15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; 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. (2 Timothy 1:15-18 KJV)
Paul commends Onesiphorus
Having exhorted Timothy to hold fast (2 Timothy 1:13-14), Paul mentions the apostasy of many from the doctrine of Christ (2 Timothy 1:15). Even in the purest ages of the Church, some who had embraced the Christian faith later fell away. Paul does not say they turned from the doctrine of Christ, though it seems they did, but that they turned away from him personally, disowning him in his time of distress. This should not surprise us, since many turned away even from the Lord Jesus Himself (John 6:66).
He then mentions the faithfulness of one who remained steadfast—Onesiphorus: “He often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains” (2 Timothy 1:16). Onesiphorus showed Paul great kindness. He refreshed him with letters, counsel, and comfort, and was not ashamed of him despite his imprisonment. He helped Paul repeatedly, not only in Ephesus among his friends but also when he was in Rome, where he searched diligently until he found him (2 Timothy 1:17). A good man will always seek opportunities to do good and will not avoid them. At Ephesus, he had ministered to Paul faithfully, which Timothy himself knew well.
Paul returns this kindness through prayer: “The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus” (2 Timothy 1:16-18). He who receives a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward (Matthew 10:41). It is likely Onesiphorus was away from home at this time, and Paul therefore prayed that his household would be kept under God’s mercy during his absence. Some have claimed that Onesiphorus was dead and that Paul’s prayer proves the legitimacy of praying for the dead, but there is no evidence that he was deceased. To base such a doctrine on mere assumption is unsafe and without biblical foundation.
Paul also prays for Onesiphorus himself: “That he may find mercy from the Lord in that day”—the day of death and judgment—when Christ will reward all who have served His people (2 Timothy 1:18; Matthew 25:40). That day will be an awe-inspiring and solemn day. What we need most for our eternal happiness is to find mercy from the Lord in that day, for “judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful” (James 2:13). Even the best Christians will need mercy then, as we look “for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:21).
If we would have mercy on that day, we must seek it now from the Lord. It is from Him alone that true mercy comes, for unless the Lord has mercy on us, the compassion of men or angels will be in vain. Therefore, we are to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). The best thing we can desire, both for ourselves and our friends, is that the Lord would grant us mercy in that day when we must leave this world, stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and enter eternity. May the Lord grant unto all of us that we may find mercy from Him in that day.