Who Was Onesiphorus in the New Testament
Onesiphorus in the New Testament
Onesiphorus is a figure mentioned in the Apostle Paul's second letter to Timothy, written around AD 64-68 [4]. He is described as an Ephesian Christian who demonstrated remarkable kindness to Paul during his imprisonment in Rome.
The name "Onesiphorus" means "bringing profit" or "useful" in Greek [2]. Paul commends Onesiphorus for his courage and generosity, noting that he was not ashamed of Paul's chains and actively sought him out in Rome [4]. In 2 Timothy 1:16-18, Paul writes, "The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day" [1].
Onesiphorus's actions stand in contrast to those of others who had deserted Paul, as noted in 2 Timothy 4:16: "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge" [6]. Matthew Henry comments on this passage, highlighting the apostasy of many from the doctrine of Christ, even in the early church [6]. Onesiphorus is an exception to this trend, demonstrating loyalty and compassion to Paul in his time of need.
The biblical account suggests that Onesiphorus had his home in Ephesus, where Timothy was located [4]. Paul sends greetings to Onesiphorus's household in 2 Timothy 4:19, indicating that they were also known to Timothy and were likely involved in the Christian community.
The early Christian tradition surrounding Onesiphorus is not entirely clear. The apocryphal Acts of Paul and Thecla, a text not considered canonical by most Christian traditions, mentions Onesiphorus as a host to Paul and Thecla in Iconium [7]. However, the historical reliability of this account is disputed among scholars.
John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, interprets Paul's prayer for mercy on the house of Onesiphorus as a request for regenerating or pardoning grace for his family members [5]. This interpretation highlights the significance of Onesiphorus's actions and the impact they had on Paul.
The example of Onesiphorus serves as a model for Christian behavior, demonstrating the importance of loyalty, compassion, and courage in the face of adversity. As Paul's letters were widely circulated and read in the early Christian communities, the story of Onesiphorus would have been known and emulated by early Christians.
The historical context of Paul's imprisonment and the circumstances surrounding Onesiphorus's visit to Rome are not fully detailed in the biblical account. However, it is clear that Onesiphorus's actions had a profound impact on Paul, and his example continues to be celebrated in Christian tradition [3, 4].
Sources
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G3683 — Man living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #A man living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at 2Ti.1.16; <br>only referred to as)”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Onesiphorus — who brings profit”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Onesiphorus — Bringing profit, an Ephesian Christian who showed great kindness to Paul at Rome. He served him in many things, and had oft refreshed him. Paul expresses a warm interest in him and his household (2 Tim. 1:16-18; 4:19).”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Onesiphorus — (bringing profit) is named twice only in the New Testament, viz. (2 Timothy 1:16-18) and 2Tim 4:19 Paul mentions him in terms of grateful love as having a noble courage and generosity in his behalf, amid his trials as a prisoner at Rome, when others from whom he expected better things had deserted him. (2 Timothy 4:16) Probably other members of the family were also active Christians. (2 Timothy 4:19) It is evident from (2 Timothy 1:18) that Onesiphorus had his home at Ephesus. (A.D. 64.)”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 1:16: The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus,.... Who seems to have been one of Asia, and of Ephesus, and is an exception from the general apostasy, or from those that turned away from the apostle; and therefore he prays that the Lord would show mercy to his family; that he would give regenerating grace and mercy to such of them as were without it, or pardoning grace and mercy, or the great mercy of eternal life and salvation by Christ; and this doubtless was a prayer in faith, upon the promises of God, and upon instances and examples, in which God has remarkabl”
- 2 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Timothy 1:15: Having (Ti2 1:13, Ti2 1:14) exhorted Timothy to hold fast, I. He mentions the apostasy of many from the doctrine of Christ, Ti2 1:15. It seems, in the best and purest ages of the church, there were those that had embraced the Christian faith, and yet afterwards revolted from it, nay, there were many such. He does not say that they had turned away from the doctrine of Christ (though it should seem they had) but they had turned away from him, they had turned their backs upon him, and disowned him in the time of his distress. And should we wonder at it, when many ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA (part 1): As Paul was going up to Iconium after the flight from Antioch, his fellow-travellers were Demas and Ermogenes, full of hypocrisy; and they were importunate with Paul,(1) as if they loved him. But Paul, looking only to the goodness of Christ, did them no harm, but loved them exceedingly, so that he made the oracles of the Lord sweet to them in the teaching both of the birth and the resurrection of the Beloved; and he gave them an account, word for word, of the great things of Christ, how H”