Onesiphorus
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. - 2 Timothy 2:1 Blessed are the Merciful Reginald Hallward St. Peter's Church, Clapham, London Paul was strong in many ways... Physically strong, he endured beatings, jail, and ship-wrecks... Emotionally strong, he held hope though abandoned, betrayed, ridiculed... Intellectually strong, he was a student of the Jewish scriptures and the author of thirteen New Testament books. But his plea to Timothy is not after any of these strengths. Instead he urges: be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. His example of this grace is Onesiphorus. Immediately before, he characterizes Onesiphorus as one who "oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain." -2 Timothy 1:16 Be strong in His grace. Be one who refreshes others. Be unashamed of other's chains. These words may not have the punch of Paul's charge in Ephesians to "Be strong in the Lord and in the powe