2 Timothy 1:18
May the Lord grant Onesiphorus His mercy on that day. You know very well how much he ministered to me in Ephesus.
May the Lord grant
This phrase is a prayerful wish, expressing a deep desire for divine intervention. The Greek word for "grant" is "δώη" (dōē), which implies a gift or favor bestowed by God. In the context of Paul's writings, it reflects his reliance on God's grace and sovereignty. Paul often emphasizes that all good things, including mercy and support, are ultimately gifts from God, underscoring the Christian belief in divine providence.

that he will find mercy
The concept of "mercy" in Greek is "ἔλεος" (eleos), which conveys compassion and forgiveness. In the biblical context, mercy is a central attribute of God, often associated with His covenantal love and faithfulness. Paul is expressing a hope that Onesiphorus, the subject of this prayer, will receive God's compassion, particularly in the eschatological sense, pointing to the final judgment where God's mercy is paramount.

from the Lord
The repetition of "the Lord" emphasizes the source of mercy and grace. In the New Testament, "the Lord" often refers to Jesus Christ, highlighting His divine authority and role as the mediator between God and humanity. This reflects the early Christian understanding of Jesus as both Savior and Judge, who dispenses mercy to the faithful.

on that day
This phrase refers to the eschatological "day of the Lord," a time of final judgment and fulfillment of God's promises. In the early Christian context, "that day" is anticipated with both hope and reverence, as it signifies the culmination of history and the establishment of God's kingdom. Paul frequently uses this term to remind believers of the ultimate accountability and the hope of eternal life.

You know very well
Here, Paul appeals to Timothy's personal knowledge and experience. The Greek phrase "σὺ γινώσκεις" (sy ginōskeis) suggests an intimate awareness or understanding. This personal touch underscores the authenticity of Paul's testimony and the close relationship between Paul and Timothy, as well as the communal nature of early Christian witness and support.

how much he helped me
The word "helped" in Greek is "διηκόνησεν" (diēkonēsen), which is related to the term "deacon" and implies service or ministry. Onesiphorus's actions are portrayed as acts of service, reflecting the Christian ideal of selfless support and hospitality. This highlights the importance of practical ministry and the role of believers in supporting one another, especially in times of trial.

in Ephesus
Ephesus was a major city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its significant Christian community and as a center of early church activity. Paul's mention of Ephesus situates Onesiphorus's actions within a historical and geographical context, reminding readers of the challenges faced by early Christians in a predominantly pagan society. It also underscores the strategic importance of Ephesus in the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the church.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle and author of the letter, writing to Timothy, his spiritual son and fellow worker in the faith.

2. Timothy
The recipient of the letter, a young pastor and close companion of Paul, entrusted with leading the church in Ephesus.

3. Onesiphorus
A faithful believer who supported Paul during his imprisonment and ministered to him in Ephesus.

4. Ephesus
A significant city in early Christianity, where Paul spent considerable time preaching and establishing the church.

5. The Day
Refers to the Day of the Lord, a future time of judgment and reward for believers.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Service
Onesiphorus exemplifies the importance of being faithful and supportive to fellow believers, even in difficult circumstances.

The Power of Mercy
Paul's prayer for Onesiphorus highlights the significance of seeking God's mercy for ourselves and others, especially in light of the coming judgment.

Encouragement in Community
The church community should be a source of encouragement and support, as demonstrated by Onesiphorus's actions towards Paul.

Eternal Perspective
Believers are encouraged to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that our actions have implications for the Day of the Lord.

Role of Intercession
Paul's intercession for Onesiphorus teaches us the importance of praying for others, especially those who have been a blessing to us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Onesiphorus's example challenge us to support fellow believers in our own communities?

2. In what ways can we seek to show mercy to others, reflecting the mercy we hope to receive from the Lord?

3. How does the concept of "The Day" influence our daily decisions and priorities as Christians?

4. What are some practical ways we can encourage and uplift those who are serving in ministry, similar to Onesiphorus's support of Paul?

5. How can we incorporate intercessory prayer into our spiritual practices, following Paul's example of praying for Onesiphorus?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Timothy 1:16-17
These verses provide context about Onesiphorus's actions, highlighting his courage and dedication in seeking out Paul in Rome.

Matthew 25:31-46
This passage discusses the final judgment and the importance of acts of mercy, paralleling the mercy Paul desires for Onesiphorus.

Hebrews 6:10
Emphasizes God's justice in remembering the work and love shown in His name, similar to Paul's prayer for Onesiphorus.

1 Corinthians 3:13-15
Discusses the testing of each person's work on the Day of the Lord, relevant to Paul's hope for Onesiphorus's reward.
Beneficent Wishes for the DeadE. H. Plumptre, D. D.2 Timothy 1:18
Going to Receive Mercy2 Timothy 1:18
Mercy in that DayE. Cooper.2 Timothy 1:18
Mercy in that DayEssex Remembrancer2 Timothy 1:18
Mercy in that DayH. J. Gamble.2 Timothy 1:18
Mercy in the Day of JudgmentC. H. Spurgeon.2 Timothy 1:18
Mercy on the Judgment DayD. Davidson.2 Timothy 1:18
Paul's Good Wish on Behalf of OnesiphorusJames Parsons.2 Timothy 1:18
Paul's Prayer for His FriendJ. Mc Gilchrist.2 Timothy 1:18
Prayers for the DeadJ. Bryce, LL. D., Dr. Van Oosterzee.2 Timothy 1:18
Remember the Reckoning DayJ. Barlow, D. D.2 Timothy 1:18
St. Paul's Prayer for OnesiphorusC. Bradley, M. A.2 Timothy 1:18
The Christian Manner of Expressing GratitudeE. Payson, D. D.2 Timothy 1:18
The Requited of FriendshipD. Davidson.2 Timothy 1:18
The Value of a Good Man's PrayersEdward Irving.2 Timothy 1:18
ContrastsR. Finlayson 2 Timothy 1:15-18
The Praiseworthy Conduct of OnesiphorusT. Croskery 2 Timothy 1:16-18
People
Christians, Eunice, Hermogenes, Lois, Onesiphorus, Paul, Phygellus, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Asia, Ephesus, Rome
Topics
Best, Day-and, Ephesus, Full, Grant, Helped, Kindness, Lord's, Mercy, Minister, Ministered, Rendered, Served, Service, Services
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Timothy 1:18

     6689   mercy, of Christ

2 Timothy 1:16-18

     5594   tribute
     6691   mercy, human

Library
The Form of Sound Words
The Apostle most earnestly admonished Timothy to "hold fast the form of sound words which he had heard of him in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." I do not suppose that by this it is intended that Paul ever wrote out for Timothy a list of doctrines; or that he gave him a small abstract of divinity, to which he desired him to subscribe his name, as the articles of the church over which he was made a pastor. If so, doubtless the document would have been preserved and enrolled in the canons
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

Christianity
WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY? WHAT is Christianity? The question seems a belated one. It never was more pertinent than now. Its pertinency rests upon two facts. First: the modern drift in Christianity and its absolute failure. Second: the phenomenal triumph of primitive Christianity. The modern drift is antagonistic to doctrine and repudiates the miraculous. It sets aside the virgin birth, has no toleration for atonement by sacrificial death, and positively refuses to accept the bodily resurrection of our
I. M. Haldeman—Christ, Christianity and the Bible

The Seventh Word from the Cross
While all the words of dying persons are full of interest, there is special importance attached to the last of them. This is the Last Word of Jesus; and both for this reason and for others it claims particular attention. A noted Englishman is recorded to have said, when on his deathbed, to a nephew, "Come near and see how a Christian can die." Whether or not that was a wise saying, certainly to learn how to die is one of the most indispensable acquirements of mortals; and nowhere can it be learnt
James Stalker—The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Abaelard had Defined Faith as an Opinion or Estimate: Bernard Refutes This.
Abaelard had defined faith as an opinion or estimate: Bernard refutes this. 9. It is no wonder if a man who is careless of what he says should, when rushing into the mysteries of the Faith, so irreverently assail and tear asunder the hidden treasures of godliness, since he has neither piety nor faith in his notions about the piety of faith. For instance, on the very threshold of his theology (I should rather say his stultology) he defines faith as private judgment; as though in these mysteries it
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Perseverance Proved.
2. I REMARK, that God is able to preserve and keep the true saints from apostacy, in consistency with their liberty: 2 Tim. i. 12: "For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Here the apostle expresses the fullest confidence in the ability of Christ to keep him: and indeed, as has been said, it is most manifest that the apostles expected
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Elucidations.
(Dinocrates, cap. ii. p. 701.) The avidity with which the Latin controversial writers seize upon this fanciful passage, (which, in fact, is subversive of their whole doctrine about Purgatory, as is the text from the Maccabees) makes emphatic the utter absence from the early Fathers of any reference to such a dogma; which, had it existed, must have appeared in every reference to the State of the Dead, and in every account of the discipline of penitents. Arbp. Usher [9011] ingeniously turns the tables
Tertullian—The Passion of the Holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Paul's Care and Prayer for the Church.
Text: Ephesians 3, 13-21. 13. Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 and that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

"And this is his Commandment, that we Should Believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and Love one Another. "
1 John iii. 23.--"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another." It is a common doctrine often declared unto you, that the most part of those who hear the gospel do run, in their pretended course to heaven, either upon a rock of dashing discouragement, or the sands of sinking presumption. These are in all men's mouths; and no question they are very dangerous, so hazardous, as many fools make shipwreck either of the faith, or a good
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Discerning Prayer.
INTRODUCTORY. BY D.W. WHITTLE. To recognize God's existence is to necessitate prayer to Him, by all intelligent creatures, or, a consciously living in sin and under condemnation of conscience, because they do not pray to Him. It would be horrible to admit the existence of a Supreme Being, with power and wisdom to create, and believe that the creatures he thought of consequence and importance enough to bring into existence, are not of enough consequence for him to pay any attention to in the troubles
Various—The Wonders of Prayer

Assurance
Q-xxxvi: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS WHICH FLOW FROM SANCTIFICATION? A: Assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. The first benefit flowing from sanctification is assurance of God's love. 'Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.' 2 Pet 1:10. Sanctification is the seed, assurance is the flower which grows out of it: assurance is a consequent of sanctification. The saints of old had it. We know that we know
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Communion of Saints.
"The Saints on earth, and those above, But one communion make; Joined to their Lord in bonds of love, All of His grace partake." The history of the extension of the Church of Christ from one land to another, and of the successive victories won by the Cross over heathen races from age to age, gives by itself a very imperfect idea of the meaning of the words "The Holy Catholic Church." Because, with the outward extension of the Church, its influence upon the inner man needs always to be considered.
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Concerning God's Purpose
1. God's purpose is the cause of salvation. THE third and last thing in the text, which I shall but briefly glance at, is the ground and origin of our effectual calling, in these words, "according to his purpose" (Eph. i. 11). Anselm renders it, According to his good will. Peter Martyr reads it, According to His decree. This purpose, or decree of God, is the fountainhead of our spiritual blessings. It is the impulsive cause of our vocation, justification, glorification. It is the highest link in
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Secret Walk with God (I. ).
Pastor, for the round of toil See the toiling soul is fed; Shut the chamber, light the oil, Break and eat the Spirit's bread; Life to others would'st thou bring? Live thyself upon thy King. Let me explain in this first sentence that when in these pages I address "my Younger Brethren," I mean brethren in the Christian Ministry in the Church of England. Let me limit my reference still further, by premising that very much of what I say will be said as to brethren who have lately taken holy Orders,
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

Predestination and Calling
Eternal Father, who shall look Into thy secret will? None but the Lamb shall take the book, And open every seal. None but he shall ever unroll that sacred record and read it to the assembled world. How then am I to know whether I am predestinated by God unto eternal life or not? It is a question in which my eternal interests are involved; am I among that unhappy number who shall be left to live in sin and reap the due reward of their iniquity; or do I belong to that goodly company, who albeit that
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Twelfth Day for the Spirit to Convince the World of Sin
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Spirit to convince the World of Sin "I will send the Comforter to you. And He, when He is come, will convict the world in respect of sin."--JOHN xvi. 7, 8. God's one desire, the one object of Christ's being manifested, is to take away sin. The first work of the Spirit on the world is conviction of sin. Without that, no deep or abiding revival, no powerful conversion. Pray for it, that the gospel may be preached in such power of the Spirit, that men may see that they have
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Pastor in Parish (I. ).
Master, to the flock I speed, In Thy presence, in Thy name; Show me how to guide, to feed, How aright to cheer and blame; With me knock at every door; Enter with me, I implore. We have talked together about the young Clergyman's secret life, and private life, and his life in (so to speak) non-clerical intercourse with others, and now lastly of his life as it stands related to his immediate leader in the Ministry. In this latter topic we have already touched the great matter which comes now at
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

"That which was from the Beginning, which we have Heard, which we have Seen with Our Eyes, which we have Looked Upon, and Our Hands Have
1 John i. 1.--"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life." It is the great qualification of a disciple, or hearer, to be attentive and docile, to be capable of teaching, and to apply the mind seriously to it. It is much to get the ear of a man. If his ear be gotten, his mind is the more easily gained. Therefore, those who professed eloquence, and studied to persuade men to any
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
1 Tim. i. 5.--"Now the end of the commandment," &c. We come now, as was proposed, to observe, Thirdly,(474) That faith unfeigned is the only thing which gives the answer of a good conscience towards God. Conscience, in general, is nothing else but a practical knowledge of the rule a man should walk by, and of himself in reference to that rule. It is the laying down a man's state, and condition, and actions beside the rule of God's word, or the principles of nature's light. It is the chief piece
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Prefatory Scripture Passages.
To the Law and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.-- Isa. viii. 20. Thus saith the Lord; Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.--Jer. vi. 16. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

Links
2 Timothy 1:18 NIV
2 Timothy 1:18 NLT
2 Timothy 1:18 ESV
2 Timothy 1:18 NASB
2 Timothy 1:18 KJV

2 Timothy 1:18 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Timothy 1:17
Top of Page
Top of Page