Refreshment.
What comes to your mind when you hear that word? For some of you, it might mean a breath of fresh air during your lunch break. Maybe you think about the weekend, getting to laugh and play with your family after a long week.
As we enter into the narrative world of 2 Timothy, we see that the apostle Paul experienced refreshment. The text indicates that Paul is imprisoned in Rome. Many turned their backs on him, including Phygelus and Hermogenes (2 Tim 1:15).
But 2 Timothy describes one person who did not abandon Paul: Onesiphorus. His name means ‘the bringer of benefit.’ When Paul was in Rome, Onesiphorus went to see him. True to his name, he brought benefit to Paul, like a drink of cold water on a hot day.
Onesiphorus knew that association with a prisoner of Caesar would not be good for his reputation. Yet he took the journey of over 1,000 miles from Ephesus to Rome. When he got there, he diligently searched for Paul until he found him (1:17). Onesiphorus could have been searching for days in that metropolis.
Once Onesiphorus found Paul, he brought a special ministry to him. Paul, the discouraged missionary, saw a familiar face, one who was not torturing him or spitting in his face. He saw a friend who cared for him. We don’t know what Onesiphorus did to refresh Paul. Perhaps he brought him some encouraging letters from the church Ephesus. He could have brought him his favourite meal or some medical supplies for his wounds. Or perhaps he just offered a listening ear for a discouraged man in chains. All we know is that Paul greatly benefited from his visit.
Furthermore, Onesiphorus didn’t just visit Paul once. The text tells us that he often refreshed him (1:16). Onesiphorus must have stayed in Rome, found accommodation, and visited Paul regularly. He was constantly available to the discouraged missionary. Onesiphorus was a man known for helping Paul in Ephesus (1:19), and now he was a recurring help in Rome.
Notably, at the writing of 2 Timothy, Onesiphorus could be dead. The prayer for mercy in 1:16 (and the greeting in 4:19) is not for him, but his household. In ministering to Paul, it is possible that Onesiphorus died or was even executed. In any case, the Lord has rewards in the end for Onesiphorus (see Paul’s expectation in 4:8). What would an Onesiphorus-like ministry look like? Are there people around us who could use refreshment?
Perhaps you can offer child care to an exhausted single parent. There might be a burned-out minister to whom you can send an encouraging letter. One could pick up groceries or a prescription for an elderly neighbor. Or you can actually do what Onesiphorus did, and travel to visit and encourage a missionary overseas. Can you be the bringer of benefit to someone? Perhaps you can be diligent in encouraging someone, even if it’s difficult. There are heavenly rewards in store for those who do.
Three names are mentioned in this passage: Phygelus, Hermogenes, and Onesiphorus. The first two will be remembered for abandoning someone in his time of need. Onesiphorus is remembered for making a profound impact on a discouraged missionary. Let’s look for opportunities to be Onesiphorus to others.
Editor’s Note: This entire article was originally published in The Expository Times. With the exception of the first word, it has remained unchanged. You can view the original article and download it as a PDF here.