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)

The Joy Of Onesiphorus

It was not an easy life to follow after the apostle Paul. The zealousness of his mission to carry the gospel throughout the world was well known among the brethren, and many undertook the grueling work of joining Paul on his journey. He had been falsely accused and arrested in Jerusalem and, after a few years, taken to Rome to plead his case before Caesar. Luke ends the story of the Acts of the Apostles with Paul living in a house under guard, after which the apostle is released for some time. Writing to Timothy in a second letter preserved through the Holy Spirit, Paul has been arrested again and is facing certain death. He needs his brethren to encourage him. Many failed as they turned away from the aged apostle, but some stood valiantly by his side.

Nothing is known of Phygellus and Hermogenes mentioned by Paul. These two men are among many who crossed paths with Paul in his ministry. It doesn’t seem easy to imagine brethren would turn away from Paul in his greatest hour of need, but Phygellus and Hermogenes were two that Paul inscribed on the pages of divine scripture who denied him. Were they afraid of being arrested like Paul and imprisoned? It is a sad affair when the names of two brethren are mentioned in scripture as denying Paul and thus denying Jesus Christ. They turned away from their friend. Because of the faith of Paul, Phygellus, and Hermogenes refused to be the encouragement to a man in desperate need of brethren. How sad.

Writing to Timothy about Phygellus and Hermogenes did not discourage Paul because he remembered the kindness of another brother in Christ, Onesiphorus. Nothing is known of Onesiphorus outside Paul’s letter, but what is known of him is the voice of hope and love for God. Paul was in a Roman prison facing the sentence of death. In the Roman world, it would not be uncharacteristic for associates of a condemned man to face the wrath of the authorities. Aligning oneself with Paul could bring persecution, imprisonment, and death. Onesiphorus was unconcerned about the worldview of Paul. He was concerned about Paul’s need to be refreshed, cared for, and encouraged. There was no shame in being known as a friend to one imprisoned under the sentence of death. Arriving in Rome, Onesiphorus diligently sought out the apostle to let him know he was not alone. That is the kind of friendship that is devoted to Jesus Christ first.

The church needs more people like Onesiphorus and fewer brethren like Phygellus and Hermogenes. Being a fair-weather friend does not show the encouragement brethren need from one another. Some brethren seek opportunities to encourage, and some brethren spend most of their time creating disunity, division, and confusion. Paul needed encouragement. Two men abandoned him that needed to be there for him. Onesiphorus refreshed the weary spirit of Paul and gave him hope. Jesus was abandoned by the eleven in His greatest hour of need. The church needs brethren who will stand with Jesus when accused and not be ashamed of standing for truth, no matter the cost. Let us all be like Onesiphorus. Bring joy. Instill hope. Show Christ.