A Friend in Need
by an Old Disciple
“The Lord give mercy unto 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: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.”~ 2 Tim. 1:16-18
The aged Apostle Paul is shut-up in prison; the train is pulling into the station for his departure; he is lonely and saddened in heart, because of all the false friends that have turned away from him in his time of need. He starts his second letter to his young protégé, Timothy, discussing these “fair weather friends.” So-called saints upon whom he had relied, but who had proven faithless in this, his hour of hardship.
He mentions two by name, “Phygelus and Hermogenes.” They’re listed only once in the New Testament, but by this brief record, they attained an immortality of disgrace for their disloyalty to the “old war-horse.” But in contrast to these twin betrayers, he mentions one “Onesiphorus,” a loyal to-the-end friend. He certainly represented the friend that loveth at all times, which the wise man speaks of.
You can always spot those who belong to Onesiphorus’ clan. Invariably, they make diligent search for their friends who are chained in dreary dungeons of discouragement. They refresh, comfort, and relieve their comrades in arms. They are not ashamed of their colleague’s chain. And what be the reward of a supporter such as this beloved brother? Both he and his house were blessed of God (see our main text).
By the way, let me take this opportunity to thank the Onesiphorus’ in my life and ministry! I refer to them as “The Faithful Few.”
“A friend is someone coming in while others are going out.”
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You wrote that quote in a Bible you gave me.