QTVOTD: A Model of Christian Kindness…

“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— may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.” 2 Timothy 1:16-18 -> me: I love Onesiphorus!  I think that he is a model for Christian kindness.  What I also like is that it was not just Onesiphorus who Paul was acknowledging, he was acknowledging his whole household.  The family worked as a team to extend kindness to Paul.  Most version say ‘refreshed me’ but it can also mean ‘to brace up’, ‘to revive’, or ‘to comfort’.  It is almost like Onesiphorus’ presence was like a warming elixir to Paul and his imprisoned body.  It didn’t matter where Paul was; Onesiphorus was not ashamed to meet Paul where he was…in fact, contrary to being ashamed, Onesiphorus search night and day all over Rome to find where Paul was being kept.  Rome was notorious for making it difficult to find where prisoners were being held.  I am sure that Onesiphorus was mortified that Paul was calling him out in such an acknowledging way…just from this little passage I see this man being someone I want to emulate.  Paul understands the impact that Onesiphorus is laying up for in eternity so Paul has the mindset to look forward to ‘that Day’, the day of judgement, to express to God through prayer how much good work (through faith) Onesiphorus has done to get a “Well done my good and faithful servant”.

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