2 Timothy Chapter 1, Verse 18
From BibleWiki
18: δωη αυτω ο κυριος ευρειν ελεος παρα κυριου εν εκεινη τη ημερα και οσα εν εφεσω διηκονησεν βελτιον συ γινωσκεις
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.
18: The Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day. And
in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou very well
knowest.
The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day. The day of judgment. "2 Tim 1:12".
This proves that Onesiphorus was then alive, as Paul would not offer prayer for him if he were dead. The Papists, indeed, argue from this in favour of praying for the dead -- assuming from 2 Tim 4:19, that Onesiphorus was then dead. But there is no evidence of that. The passage in 2 Tim 4:19 would prove only that he was then absent from his family.
And in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus. This was the home of Onesiphorus, and his family was still there, 2 Tim 4:19. When Paul was at Ephesus, it would seem that Onesiphorus had showed him great kindness. His affection for him did not change when he became a prisoner. True friendship, and especially that which is based on religion, will live in all the vicissitudes of fortune, whether we are in prosperity or adversity; whether in a home of plenty, or in a prison.
