In the last letter Paul ever wrote he mentioned three people that we know almost nothing about. At the end of the book’s opening chapter we read of Phygelus, Hermogenes, and Onesiphorus. The former two were fierce opponents of the apostle, while the latter was a dear friend.
In 1:16-17 he wrote, “May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me.”
Onesiphorus refreshed Paul. That verb is only used this one time in all of Scripture, and it means to relieve. The Amplified Bible translates the phrase this way: “he often braced me like fresh air.”
What an amazing word picture! Who doesn’t love to take in fresh air, especially after being cooped up inside for an extended period of time? Paul knew about being cooped up; he wrote these words from a prison cell, after all.
We don’t know what exactly Onesiphorus did for Paul, aside from what is stated—apparently taking trips to visit Paul in his chains. Those visits meant more to Paul because of how rare they were. Perhaps speaking hyperbolically, Paul told Timothy, “You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes (v.15).”
Those men were likely the ringleaders who caused others to turn away from Paul. We can imagine they were probably once close, possibly leaders in the church, and then they betrayed Paul and rallied people to their side. Paul was clearly hurt by their treatment of him. But Onesiphorus? He was like a breath of fresh air, filling Paul’s nostrils and giving him the strength to carry on.
Who can you brace like fresh air this week?
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