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 power of His might," but we must be careful not to rut our minds with just the biggest swords. 

The whispering power of Paul's "therefore"---written while in chains and of Onesiphorus and his generous character--these are equally sharp in a different way.