2 Timothy 1:13-18: a reflection

13Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 15This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me, of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain, 17but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently and found me 18(the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.

As Paul writes from prison, he mentions that many have deserted him; but he singles out one who did not. May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, he writes, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently and found me. While others turned away, ashamed to be associated with an imprisoned Paul, Onesiphorus was not ashamed; he sought Paul out and refreshed him. He stood by his friend in disgrace and imprisonment, when it would have been easier to keep his distance.

Notice Onesiphorus's loyalty: he was not ashamed of Paul's chain, but sought him out and refreshed him. To be associated with an imprisoned man was a disgrace, and many kept their distance, ashamed; but Onesiphorus was not ashamed. He went out of his way, seeking Paul diligently until he found him, and refreshed him in his trouble. He did not abandon his friend when standing by him was costly and shameful; he drew near, when others drew away. His loyalty was proven precisely when it cost something to show it.

That loyalty is worth emulating, for it is easy to stand by others when it costs nothing, and hard when it costs something. When someone falls into trouble, disgrace, or difficulty, it can be easier to keep our distance, not wanting to be associated with them; but Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's chains, and sought him out to refresh him. When someone you know is in trouble or disgrace, and others are keeping their distance, do not be ashamed to stand by them; seek them out and refresh them, as Onesiphorus sought out and refreshed the imprisoned Paul. Be the kind of friend who draws near when others draw away, unashamed to be associated with those in trouble, and ready to refresh them in their difficulty, as Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's chain but sought him out and refreshed him when others had turned away.

Lord, as Paul writes from prison, he mentions that many have deserted him; but he singles out one who did not. May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, he writes, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently and found me. While others turned away, ashamed to be associated with an imprisoned Paul, Onesiphorus was not ashamed; he sought Paul out and refreshed him. He stood by his friend in disgrace and imprisonment, when it would have been easier to keep his distance. Show me Onesiphorus's loyalty: he was not ashamed of Paul's chain, but sought him out and refreshed him. To be associated with an imprisoned man was a disgrace, and many kept their distance; but he was not ashamed. He went out of his way, seeking Paul diligently until he found him. He did not abandon his friend when standing by him was costly; he drew near, when others drew away. Let me emulate that loyalty, for it is easy to stand by others when it costs nothing, and hard when it costs something. When someone falls into trouble, disgrace, or difficulty, it can be easier to keep my distance; but Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's chains. When someone I know is in trouble or disgrace, and others are keeping their distance, keep me from being ashamed to stand by them; help me seek them out and refresh them, Lord, as Onesiphorus sought out and refreshed the imprisoned Paul. Help me be the kind of friend who draws near when others draw away.