May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me; he was not ashamed of my chains ... (v. 16)

Meet Onesiphorus.

Onesiphorus was a friend of Saint Paul’s. We ought to think about him. We ought to imitate him.

Saint Paul writes about Onesiphorus in his second letter to Timothy. Paul’s letters make up about a third of the entire New Testament. They are theological treasuries. For sublime thought, for spiritual energy, for powerful theology, they are probably without equal in Christian literature.

But they are letters, and as with all letters, in some ways the most interesting parts are the personal touches. Often Paul had to write with disappointment of the many fair-weather friends who deserted him in time of trouble. Often Paul had to warn against enem…