The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18The 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. ( 2 Tim. 1:16-18).
Here; we are reminded of Jesus' words regarding those who visited Him in prison in Matthew 25 in regard in that case to the sheep and goat judgment. In context that seems to indicate the standard for those entering into the Millennial period who remain as physical survivors after the Tribulation as that will be the standard or the norm for believers along with martyrdom at that time. Looking into what would be considered normal Christianity at the time of the early church; and indeed much of the world today this concept is something familiar and we should heed it as well. Imprisonment and support of those in that situation during persecution puts us at risk as well for supporting that which is against the policy of the state. The act of kindness here is emphasized in regard to one individual who went out of his way to seek after Paul so that he could minister to him; no doubt encouraging him but also bringing things that could continue his survival.
This is something to consider in terms of organizations that send communications to persecuted believers in the world. Care has to be used of course not to encourage further persecution of the incarcerated individual since no doubt letters are read ahead of time.
We also see in the chapter as a whole those who would abandon Paul or no longer be effective; and there are other verses as well such as later on in chapter 4 of 2 Timothy where all but Luke abandoned him in verse 16 at his "first defense". He mentions the Gentiles here so this may be a court hearing; I'll let others look into that as my time is short this morning.
17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18The 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. ( 2 Tim. 1:16-18).
Here; we are reminded of Jesus' words regarding those who visited Him in prison in Matthew 25 in regard in that case to the sheep and goat judgment. In context that seems to indicate the standard for those entering into the Millennial period who remain as physical survivors after the Tribulation as that will be the standard or the norm for believers along with martyrdom at that time. Looking into what would be considered normal Christianity at the time of the early church; and indeed much of the world today this concept is something familiar and we should heed it as well. Imprisonment and support of those in that situation during persecution puts us at risk as well for supporting that which is against the policy of the state. The act of kindness here is emphasized in regard to one individual who went out of his way to seek after Paul so that he could minister to him; no doubt encouraging him but also bringing things that could continue his survival.
This is something to consider in terms of organizations that send communications to persecuted believers in the world. Care has to be used of course not to encourage further persecution of the incarcerated individual since no doubt letters are read ahead of time.
We also see in the chapter as a whole those who would abandon Paul or no longer be effective; and there are other verses as well such as later on in chapter 4 of 2 Timothy where all but Luke abandoned him in verse 16 at his "first defense". He mentions the Gentiles here so this may be a court hearing; I'll let others look into that as my time is short this morning.
Maranatha. RHP
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