2Timothy 1:15-18 This thou know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 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 know very well.
‘That all they which are in Asia be turned away from me.’ Referring to Christians from Asia that were visiting Rome. As one translator gives it, “all the Asiatics have discarded me.” Finding Paul in disgrace they showed no interest in him or his cause. Two of them are mentioned here. It would have been truly improbable for all Christians of so many congregations to turn against him. That would mean that even Timothy, Lois, Eunice, and other faithful helpers had forsaken him and this was not true (1:5; 4:10-22).
‘Onesiphorus’ – Here is one Asian who had not forsaken him, so “all they which are in Asia” of 2Timothy 1:15 must be understood in the limited sense of some who visited Paul in Rome. He had entertained Paul in Ephesus and sought him out when he visited Rome (1:16-18; 4:19).
‘And was not ashamed of my chain.’ This suggests that the others were ashamed of Paul in chains. His life had been one of suffering and labour for Christ. Now from all appearances, he was abandoned by his friends and in the hands of ruthless men. He was in prison and chains, yet he was triumphant overall and unshaken in his faith. He felt no evil and feared no man or devil. Sin had lost its power, death its sting, the grave its victory, and hell its torments. No murmuring came from his lips or bitterness from his heart. He was a man’s man and God’s faithful servant, ready to die for the cause of Christ and the gospel.
‘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 know very well.’ This is simply Paul’s prayer and desire for his friend who had often refreshed him in Ephesus and Rome. Such hospitality does not save the soul, but it adds to the reward in the life to come if it is done with the right motive (Matt. 6:1, 5; 10:40-42).
‘That day’ – the day of Christ, the day when Christ comes to receive saints unto Himself at the time of the rapture (1Cor. 1:8; 5:5; 2Cor. 1:14; Php. 1:6, 10; 2:16).
Living the Word 