Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 13

Paul tells Timothy Stand Firm and be Steadfast in The Faith Part 3

2 Timothy 1:17-18 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The 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. KJV

The Apostle Paul closes this Chapter of his letter to Brother Timothy by continuing his praise and adoration of Brother Onesiphorus and his entire family for what clemency, care, and compassion they showed to him during this his final captivity before his execution and death at the hands of the Roman thugs with these words first, "But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me." (2 Timothy 1:17) (KJV). It is apparent that not only did this Brother in Christ not abandon Paul, but he went into the lair or the den of the devil, that is, his two legged devils in Rome and found out where Paul was being held prisoner and ministered to him there. The English phrase 'he sought me out' is translated by the Greek word zēteō and it means exactly the same as our English dictionary defines it which is to seek out something or someone literally, that is, try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of someone. The English phrase 'very diligently' is translated by the Greek word spoudaioteron (used only one other time in the entire New Testament) it is an adverb meaning (as used here) more earnestly than others, that is, very promptly: - very diligently. Again we see that not only was this man unashamed of Paul's physical chains for preaching the Gospel of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, but he was eager to find the Apostle and be of whatever service for him he could during Paul's captivity.

Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning the diligence in which Onesiphorus sought out the Apostle Paul in Rome, "Onesiphorus was no doubt an Asiatic, (probably an Ephesian), who had frequent business at Rome; and when he came sought out the Apostle, who, it is supposed, had been confined in some close and private prison, so that it was with great difficulty he could find him out. This man had entertained the Apostle when he was at Ephesus, and now he sought him out at Rome. Pure love feels no loads. Here was a true friend, one that sticketh closer than a brother." Paul was facing execution at this time of his earthly life and ministry for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ being chained to a Roman Soldier (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), therefore, he had no means of money nor clothing nor other things that he could repay Onesiphorus with, yet he had in his person something far greater than all those visible things combined and that was the power of prayer, as he prays for this man and his family with these words recorded in his letter to Brother Timothy, "The 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 Timothy 1:18) (KJV). The Apostle Paul beseeched our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on behalf of Brother Onesiphorus knowing that He would grant or give to this man what he had given unto the Apostle Paul because He is just, judicious, and merciful to His children when they expresss their love for Him and to Him by showing love and care for His other children born again into His eternal heavenly family.

Paul was and is a beloved son of Christ Jesus our Lord and it surely was our Lord Jesus' pleasure to show loving care to the man who showed the same to the Apostle Paul during his unlawful captivity by the Roman two-legged devils, just as declared so eloquently by the Psalmist with these words, "If you kept record of our sins, no one could last long. But you forgive us, and so we will worship you." (Psalms 130:3-4) (Contemporary English Version). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning Paul's prayer for Brother Onesiphorus, "He prays for Onesiphorus himself, as well as for his house: That he may find mercy in that day, in the day of death and of judgment, when Christ will account all the good offices done to his poor members as done to himself. Observe, 1. The day of death and judgment is an awful day, and may be emphatically called that day. 2. We need desire no more to make us happy than to find mercy of the Lord in that day, when those that have shown no mercy will have judgment without mercy. 3. The best Christians will want mercy in that day; looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jude 1:21. 4. If you would have mercy then, you must seek for it now of the Lord. 5. It is of and from the Lord that we must have mercy; for, unless the Lord has mercy on us, in vain will be the pity and compassion of men or angels. 6. We are to seek and ask for mercy of the Lord, who is the giver and bestower of it; for the Lord Jesus Christ has satisfied justice, that mercy might be displayed. We are to come to a throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need. 7. The best thing we can seek, either for ourselves or our friends, is that the Lord will grant to them that they may find mercy of the Lord in that day, when they must pass out of time into eternity, and exchange this world for the other, and appear before the judgment-seat of Christ: the Lord then grant unto all of us that we may find mercy of the Lord in that day."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…