This Bible Study was written and submitted by: G.J. Thimothy. This contributed article is copyright protected, and the sole property of the contributing author.  It may be freely copied and used provided the following credits are included. Document expiration: indefinite. Greetings to you all in the most precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am very happy to share the word of God through this small booklet. On October 1998, we as nice Christian friends started discussing about various topics from the Bible through e-mail. Our first topic was "What is the meaning of Life?", subsequently we discussed about various other topics from the Bible. When we came across the topic "Our Beloved Brethren", we thought of printing these materials. In this booklet we are discussing about Onesiphorus, Gideon and Tychicus.  You can download a lot of topics from the web pages. With Best Regards In Jesus, G. J. Thimothy,  26 – 08 - 2000

This topic was discussed at the Bible Studies E-group. It has been re-written and the last two points were added so that the meditation on II Timothy 1:16-18 and 4:19 could be completed and submitted to the Blessed Timings E-groups. II Timothy 1:16-19  "The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:  [17] But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.  [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.  [19] Salute Prisca and Aquila and the house hold of Onesiphorus"   Division of Above Verses Introduction I. May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus II. Onesiphorus Refreshed Apostle Paul III. Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's Chains IV. Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's Chains - II V. Onesiphorus On That day VI. Paul's Prayer for Onesiphorus VII. Greetings to all the Onesiphorus Colleagues Conclusion INTRODUCTION Greetings to you in the most precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We are going to start meditating about some personalities from the Bible. The topic is "OUR BELOVED BRETHREN". In this we are first introducing our beloved brother ONESIPHORUS. I. May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus Christian greetings are very special. They not only come from heart but also from above. This is a very fantastic and a real experience to people and it's just a mystery. Only the people who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour can experience it. One thing I observed in Onesiphorus’ life is that, he was not only a child of God but has also shown personal interest towards the children of God. In the Bible, only four verses, in two places mention about Onesiphorus (II Timothy 1:16,17,18; 4:19). Onesiphorus’ family deserves mercy from God (II Timothy 1:16) because Onesiphorus showed mercy towards Paul & Ephesians Church (II Timothy 1:17). Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7). So let's be merciful towards others. First of all we have to check whether we have received the mercy of God or not. Have you? If not, kneel down now and confess all your sins to God through Lord Jesus Christ (The only way - John 14:6). If you do so then you will be in his mercy. Otherwise you aren't. So don't delay. "...Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6: 2) Let us (children of God) approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive grace to help us in the time of need, (Hebrews 4:16). Apostle Paul came to the mercy seat before the Father for Ephesians Church (Ephesians 3:14). Now to him who is able to do immeasurable, more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us to his glory in the church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations forever and ever amen. (Ephesians 3:20,21) II. Onesiphorus Refreshed Apostle Paul (II Timothy 1:16 ) Onesiphorus refreshed Apostle Paul by extending his love not only when apostle was in Ephesus (II Timothy 1:17) but also in the dangerous situation in prison at Rome (II Timothy 1:16). Now Paul was at Rome not only based on the religious accusations but also on political ground. The Jews blamed that he became a public disturber. This caused a fear among the friends of Paul in Asia. It was very dangerous to be a friend of Paul at this time. So every one left him. One man was loyal to the end. His name was Onesiphorus. Onesiphorus means profitable. At this juncture we should remember Philemon who refreshed Paul in normal situations. (Philemon 1:7). Again Philemon refreshed Paul in the case of Onesimus (Philemon 1:20). We will feel happy whenever we think about such kind of people. In the Ephesus Church we find Bible Teacher Timothy, a devoted family like that of Prisca and Aquila and now a helpful person Onesiphorus. This is a good illustration of how, good people like these, can build a spiritually sound church. It is sure that Onesiphorus received spiritual help from Paul. Now it is Onesiphorus’ duty to respond to Paul's need. Onesiphorus succeeded in his work as he came to Rome from a far off place by taking risk. By this he fulfilled the verses in Galatians 6:6 "Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches" How will you respond when the same situation comes to your Evangelist or to your Bible teacher? Don't tell that there are some responsible persons to help them. You got the word of God through Evangelists, Pastors and/or Bible teachers, now it is your turn to refresh them. Let me ask one more question. what is your responsibility in your church as a member? Identify yourself with Onesiphorus and start involving in the church. Do you want me to tell where to start? If you are ready to tell your neighbor that Jesus is Saviour you can refresh your Elders, Evangelists and Pastors, otherwise pray for courage to confess the Lord Jesus before your neighbors. III. Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's Chains (II Timothy 1 :17,18,19 4:19) Paul was chained because of the Gospel (II Timothy 2: 9). Paul said in Romans 1: 16 "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first and also to the Greek". By hearing the news that Paul was chained, Timothy did not feel ashamed. (II Timothy 1:18). Now it was the turn of Onesiphorus. He too wasn't ashamed, after hearing the news. He planned to visit Paul. He visited Paul in Roman jail (II Thimothy 1:17). He repeatedly visited when he was in Rome (II Timothy 1:17) Yes! Paul, Timothy and Onesiphorus have succeeded in their roles. First by involving in persecutions and later by accepting Paul even in persecutions. They got blessings from God as promised in Matthew 5:11. "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake". There is another group of people who left Paul and lost their blessings. Among them were Phygellus and Hermogenes. They left, because they were not able to understand the words "Grace and Mercy", they depended upon Law (II Timothy 1:8-12) like Demas (who loved this present world.) II Timothy 4: 10. They acted like children of God. But they were not. They are just like people mentioned in Philippians 3:19. What about you? To which group do you belong? Are you ready to face problems for the sake of Christ? Or simply following Jesus for names sake? I request you to join in the group of Paul, Timothy and Onesiphorus. I know by name you are in the first group. By act where are you now? Do you want a test case for this? By any chance did you open your mouth and say "Jesus is my Saviour" to any one? If not how can I believe that you are in the first group? Please ask God for forgiveness and also ask Him to give you courage to open your mouth before others for HIS Glory. Paul encouraged Timothy "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a Sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7) IV. Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's Chains - (II Timothy 1: 17,18,19 4:19) Paul was in chains for the Gospel. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1: 16). Onesiphorus confesses that Jesus Christ is the Lord by refreshing Paul who was in chains. Following Jesus will create some problems with the world; it ridicules faith in Jesus. A disciple of Jesus should not conform to worldly standards. The world despised our Lord and it will ridicule us.  A servant of the Lord shall bear all inducements, false charges and sufferings for Jesus. He will be strengthened by a word of consolation and a prayer by a fellow Christian. All Christians may not face the same severe sufferings for Christ, but the person with our burden must share suffering of Saints. (Hebrews 13:2) Even now many of Lord's servants are suffering for Lord's name. Please remember them in your daily prayers. By our prayers we can refresh them and whenever possible we must also visit them. V. Onesiphorus On That day (II Timothy 1:19) Now we will see how Onesiphorus was rewarded for his life on earth. Generally speaking, nothing is worthwhile unless it is proved fine by testing. Worthiness of Christian living will be proved by tests and trials. God appointed a day [that day] for judging people. There is a judgment for the people who do not believe in Jesus and there is another judgment for those who believe in Jesus. The result of the former judgment is eternal punishment and that of latter is praise, glory and honor. Apostle Paul tells us that Onesiphorus will receive mercy on that judgment day. Onesiphorus was prepared well for that day. What a great thing it is to receive rewards from our Lord Jesus Christ. "We must all appear before the Judgment seat of Jesus Christ that each may receive what is due to him for the things done in the body whether good or bad"  II Corinthians 5:10 Each of our deeds will be stored in the database of God, which will be displayed on the day of judgment. So it is time to ponder over our lives and get transformed so as to be compatible to the will of God. Jesus is coming soon. Let us continue in Him so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him. VI. Paul's Prayer for Onesiphorus Before leaving this passage we must note that in one particular connection it is a storm center. Each one has his own opinion, but there are many who feel that the implication is that Onesiphorus is dead. It is for his family that Paul first prays .Now if he was dead, this passage shows us Paul praying for the dead, for it shows him praying that Onesiphorus may find mercy on the last day. Praying for the dead is a much disputed problem, which we do not intend to discuss here. But one thing we can say- to the Jews prayers for the dead was by no means unknown. It is clear that Paul was brought up in a way of belief, which saw in prayers for dead, not a hateful, but a lovely thing. This is a subject on which there has been long and bitter disputes. But one thing we can and must say - if we love a person with all our heart, and if the remembrance of that person is never absent from our minds and memories then whatever the intellect of the theologian may say about it, the instinct of the heart is to remember such a person in prayer, whether he is in this or in any other world. VII. Greetings to all the Onesiphorus Colleagues Finally, there comes greetings sent and received. There is a greeting to Priscilla and Aquila, the husband and wife who's home was forever a Church, wherever it might be, and who had at some time risked their lives for Paul's sake (Acts 18:2, Romans 16:3; I Corinthians 16:19). There is a greeting to the gallant Onesiphorus who had sought Paul in Rome (II Timothy 1:16). There is a greeting to Erastus, whom once Paul sent as his emissary to Macedonian (Acts 19:22) and it was he, who was afterwards within the Church at Rome. (Romans 16:23). There is a greeting to Trophimus, a Gentile, who accompanied Paul into the Temple precincts in Jerusalem, an incident for which Paul's last imprisonment began. (Acts 20:4; 21:29). Finally there is a greeting from Linus, who stands as the first bishop of Rome. VII. Conclusion With this we are concluding our mediation on the Life of Onesiphorus [Our Beloved Brethren]. II Timothy 1:16-19 and 4:19. In the very near future I am going to see all the beloved brethren in the Lord, Paul, Timothy, Onesiphorus, etc.  I have this confidence just because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. I would like you also to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and become his child, like Paul, Timothy and Onesiphorus. II Timothy 2:15.