2 Timothy 1:15-19 Foes, Friends and CPR

2 Timothy 1: 15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.  16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 19 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

Paul previously told Timothy (v8) not to be ashamed of the Lord or of Paul's imprisonment.  Seems when the heat got turned up, people started running the other way.  Paul says everyone in Asia 🤯deserted him (likely 'many' of the followers there... but still - what a punch in the gut) including Phygelus and Hermogenes who seem to have given him 'the Judas kiss'... you know... kiss you on the cheek while stabbing you in the back.  He calls them out by name.  He is not whining or tattling, he is telling his beloved son so he will be aware of these traitors... my heart sinks to think about it.  Paul was suffering for the One who suffered for him... not because he was a bad guy ... and instead of gathering around him to encourage him, they turn on him.  Holy Ouch!  If Paul could ever relate to Christ's rejection, this would be one of those times.  

But then there is Onesiphorus, who 'refreshed me often'.  In stark contrast, Paul points out this guy because Timothy already knows of him and he will need to know who to avoid, and who he can count on.  Onesiphorus wasn't afraid or ashamed of Paul or the fact that he was in prison. He was convinced of who Paul was, what he stood for, the importance of his gospel mission, and a few trouble makers weren't going to shift his loyalty.   

*He often refreshed Paul... (I love this part)  This word for "refreshed" is used only here anapsucho - to cool off, refresh, take the air, revive, recover breath.  He was a breath of fresh air... for real... like CPR for the exhausted soul of his brother in Christ.. 'often'.  

*He 'searched hard for me'... easy to read over, but the fact that Paul is labeled an outlaw, surely makes it complicated asking the locals his whereabouts ... and then there is the fact that he isn't walking the streets or at the market ... he is in an underground prison ... it would be like finding someone who lives in the sewer, checking manholes... but it didn't stop this guy.  In his final words, Paul asks God to bless this comrade and his household.  We don't know much else about him, but, wow.  Paul needs to point Timothy to his allies - and Onesiphorus is a gem.

Phygellus and Hermogenes turned their backs in his darkest hour and Paul has forever etched their names in scripture.  Yet he includes a tribute to this one brother who went to great lengths to revive him.. repeatedly sustaining him.   Paul tells his 'son', there are many against us, but here is  'One phor us'  .... Onesiphorus... a breath of fresh air ... spiritual CPR when your soul is weary.... 

*Onesiphorus #goals #goals #goals

https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Lexicon.show/ID/G404/anapsucho.htm