February 28, 2023
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
In our last message we mentioned that the Epistle of 1 Timothy primarily concerns instructions concerning the church, whereas the Epistle of 2 Timothy is primarily directed to Timothy, the bishop of the Church at Ephesus at the time of the writing. 2 Timothy is therefore directed to those whom God sets in leadership positions in the Church for their own exhortation and encouragement. However, this epistle also applies to every believer who desires to mature in Christ.
The nature of man has not changed. The nature of God's people has never changed. God has not changed and never will. Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, and forever. Therefore, what we read in 2 Timothy (and in all of Scripture) is just as pertinent, just as true, and just as applicable to God's people today as it has ever been.
Last week we ended with verse 9 of 2 Timothy 1, which says that God "has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," To continue, in
2 Timothy 1:10, "But is now made manifest by the appearing [manifestation] of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:"
I want to share with you a few thoughts about the words "appearing, abolished, death, life, immortality, and gospel" just to make sure we are all on the same page. The word "appearing" is a Greek word from which we get our English word "epiphany." As a generality, Jesus Christ speaks of Jesus as a man on earth; Christ Jesus speaks of the resurrected Lord Jesus.
The word "abolished" (past tense) in verse 10 means to nullify, to make ineffective, do away with, or cause to cease. Jesus Christ has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Death is used in Scripture in two different ways. First, it may mean the separation of man from God. Adam died on the day that he disobeyed God; therefore, all of mankind are born in the same spiritual condition. Death is the opposite of life; it never means non-existence. Death in other verses means the separation of the body from the soul. Death in any form is always viewed as the consequence of sin.
Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
As is very common in the Bible, several different Greek words are all translated into our English word, "life." The two most common words for life in the New Testament are psuche and zoe. Psuche points to natural life. That is why Jesus said, in
John 10:15-16, "As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold [flock], and one shepherd."
A "fold" is basically a natural enclosure or entity; it confines and restricts sheep (people). In those days, there were many shepherds, each with their own sheep, but all the sheep were mixed together within the one fold. A "flock" speaks of a spiritual entity. Unlike sheep in a fold, sheep in a flock are not unified by things that are external and tangible. They are kept together by something internal and organic.
John 10:17, "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again."
In both verses, "life" is psuche, or natural life.
John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
"Life" in that verse is also psuche.
"Zoe," on the other hand, means life in the absolute sense, life as God has it, that which the Father has in Himself, and which He gave to the Incarnate Son to have in Himself.
"Zoe," on the other hand, means life in the absolute sense, life as God has it, that which the Father has in Himself, and which He gave to the Incarnate Son to have in Himself.
John 5:26, "For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself;"
The Gospel of John has more occurrences of the word "life" than any other book in the Bible. Perhaps that is why many ministers recommend that we read the Gospel of John early in our walk. That is also why Paul could say, in
Philippians 1:21-24, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you."
What a deep work that the Lord had worked within Paul! Lord, may we all be willing for you to work that same heart attitude within all of your chosen people!
The word "immortality" in verse 10 should be translated as incorruptibility or incorruption. A different Greek word, athanasia, is always translated as immortality. The English word "immortality" usually carries with it a sense of everlasting life or unending existence. But the word "incorruptibility" clearly means much more than simply eternal existence. The Bible teaches the survival of all after physical death ... that all have to stand before the judgment seat after death. The word "incorruptibility" means not subject to the possibility of corruption. It is used in connection with God, the Lord Jesus, the blood of Christ, and the glorified bodies of believers, as in
The word "immortality" in verse 10 should be translated as incorruptibility or incorruption. A different Greek word, athanasia, is always translated as immortality. The English word "immortality" usually carries with it a sense of everlasting life or unending existence. But the word "incorruptibility" clearly means much more than simply eternal existence. The Bible teaches the survival of all after physical death ... that all have to stand before the judgment seat after death. The word "incorruptibility" means not subject to the possibility of corruption. It is used in connection with God, the Lord Jesus, the blood of Christ, and the glorified bodies of believers, as in
Romans 1:23, "And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things."
Because Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Acts 2:27
1 Corinthians 15:53-54, "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."
Finally, it is used by Paul in relation to an incorruptible crown. A crown in Scripture signifies what we have become in Christ. A number of years ago I heard a "big-name" television evangelist say that one day he will wear a literal, physical robe and a literal physical crown on his head. He is in for a big surprise! A corruptible crown is something that fades and dies, completely disintegrates, and becomes something just the opposite of glorious. An incorruptible crown means more than just survival; it has an extra element in it. Paul said, in
1 Corinthians 9:25, "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."
What is the incorruptible crown that Paul speaks of in that verse? first of all, it is a crown of righteousness.
2 Timothy 4:6-8, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love [or have loved] His appearing."
In both the Hebrew and Greek languages, the word translated as righteousness means the act of doing what is in agreement with God's standards or the state of being in a proper relationship with God. The importance of righteousness can never be overstated; it is foundational to our walk with God. It is not our purpose here to speak about righteousness, but if you check the Scripture, you will always find righteousness at the first of the list.
The kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
More importantly, Christ is our righteousness. Outside of Christ there is no righteousness at all! (See, for example, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9, and Hebrews 7:2.)
An incorruptible crown also signifies a crown of life. Jesus, of course, said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. James 1:12
Finally, if we remain faithful to the end, we shall receive a crown of glory. Every true believer would agree that Jesus, as a Man on earth, was faithful to the end of His natural life.
John 17:4-5, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."
As an aside truth, John 17:4 tells how we can glorify the Father in our sojourn on earth ... whether our natural life lasts 33 years or 103 years. Note the colon after the phrase, "I have glorified thee on the earth." Whatever follows a colon is intended to amplify or explain what has just preceded. We were all created by God for a specific purpose. We glorify the Father when we fulfill or complete the specific purpose for which we were created. It is also of value for us to complete our course in joy.
1 Peter 5:1-4, "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."
Note that there are conditions attached in each of the three cases (a crown of righteousness, a crown of life, and a crown of glory). The promises are not automatic just because we are born again. The Lord said that, "My glory I will not give to another" (Isaiah 48:11). However, by the grace of God, He will share His righteousness, His life, and His glory with us, but it is by no means automatic. We must qualify.
As an interesting, but very important aside note, the three crowns (righteousness, life, and glory) are found in the two levels of Christian doctrine in the books of Romans and Ephesians, and in 1 Peter, and in that same order.
Returning to 2 Timothy 1:10, Jesus Christ abolished death, and brought life and incorruption to light through the gospel. That speaks of the quality, the inherent and intrinsic nature of the life that He has brought to light, that which is incorruptible. He annulled death, not just only non-existence, but destroyed the essential nature of death, which is corruption. Life and incorruption are not two things, but one thing. Incorruption is the nature of the life which is Christ Jesus.
While Jesus was and is the Son of God, and thus fundamentally different from us as regards Deity and Godhead, the New Testament makes it unmistakably clear that the features of an incorruptible life are to be reproduced and to reappear in His people; not the position of Deity or Godhead, but the features or inherent nature of His life.
Recently I looked briefly at a video clip of a nationally-known preacher ... a man who has become unusually rich from the millions of dollars that undiscerning Christians have donated to him. In front of a packed audience, he said that "we are identical to God." That is first-class heresy called Gnosticism, which I mentioned briefly last week. I fear for that man when time is no more unless he repents.
In 2 Timothy 1:10, what is brought to light? Just certain meanings of scripture? of course not! The incorruptible values and characteristics of Jesus Christ as the Son of Man are to become ours and are to be as true of us as of Him! Therefore, it follows that our effectiveness will correspond to the measure in which there are the incorruptible values of Christ in our life. This effectiveness will be reflected in our life, our ministry or work, in our worship, and in everything that touches us. Further, the incorruptible values of Christ in our life will correspond to the degree to which we trust and obey the Lord according to His will. That cannot be simply a blind following of a lot of rules. The Lord is always looking for a man after His own heart.
When Jesus, at what men call the last supper, told His twelve disciples that one of them would betray Him, they one by one said, "Lord, is it I?" (Mark14:19). That attitude is quite opposite from the attitude of, "Well it is not me; that doesn't apply to me." That last attitude borders on pride. Also,
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
Unfortunately, many leaders in the Church do not know the difference between being saved and going to heaven one day on the one hand and the kingdom of God on the other hand. They are not the same. Dozens of Scriptures attest to that fact. The Church at Corinth, as recorded in 1 Corinthians is a prime example of those who were born again, baptized in the Holy Spirit, and had every gift in operation, but they were carnal and not at all walking in the kingdom of God, where the will of God is utmost in our heart.
Paul said, "I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God"
(Acts 20:27).
Do you think that Paul was boasting or bragging or tooting his own horn when he said that he had not shunned to declare to the Church all the counsel of God? not me. I believe Paul meant that he had not shunned to declare all the counsel of God that he had received. No one can do anything more or less. Only God knows all the counsel of God.
I believe it is time, and past time, that preachers today no longer shun to declare to God's people all the counsel of God. Of course, that assumes that preachers know what the counsel of God really is. Is it possible to declare all the counsel of God in the right Spirit, in love, and with all wisdom and revelation knowledge? I believe the answer is, "Yes!" It is much too late to keep declaring only the milk of the word. The time is shorter than we think. It is time to set aside all the traditions of men. Jesus told the religious elite of the day that "you make the word of God of none effect through your traditions" (Mark 7:13). Even the great apostle Paul, before his sovereign encounter with the Lord, said that he
I believe it is time, and past time, that preachers today no longer shun to declare to God's people all the counsel of God. Of course, that assumes that preachers know what the counsel of God really is. Is it possible to declare all the counsel of God in the right Spirit, in love, and with all wisdom and revelation knowledge? I believe the answer is, "Yes!" It is much too late to keep declaring only the milk of the word. The time is shorter than we think. It is time to set aside all the traditions of men. Jesus told the religious elite of the day that "you make the word of God of none effect through your traditions" (Mark 7:13). Even the great apostle Paul, before his sovereign encounter with the Lord, said that he
"... profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers" (Galatians 1:14).
The traditions of men are a hard nut to crack because we grow up in a church environment and just assume that what we have been taught is the true word of God Scripturally, historically, and experientially, that is just not true. I could share several examples of what we were taught by good, reasonably mature men of God, but which the Lord made very clear later that it was just not the truth. That is called progressive revelation. Of course, none of us can claim to know "all the counsel of God," far from it. We are all imperfect beings who live in an imperfect world. We see in part and we know in part and we understand in part.
Paul said, "He put me into the ministry" (1 Timothy 1:12; Acts 1:17, 25; Acts 20:24). I have no ministry; neither do you. It is all His ministry. Believers come and go, but the ministry continues forever because it is all His ministry and He lives in eternity. Paul said, "Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:16). Hezekiah said something similar (Psalm 120:5); so did Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5); so did Micah (Micah 7:1). Jeremiah said, "Woe is me," at least four times (Jeremiah 4:31, 10:19, 15:10, 45:3). The great message preached by all of the prophets in Scripture is the judgment of God unless His people repent, but the blessings of God if His people do repent. Repentance includes far more as applied to a Spirit-filled believer than just repenting of any act or thought of omission or commission.
A careful reading of all the Old Testament prophets clearly shows that they had some hard words to say to God's people at times, but it was born out of a great love for His people and directed by the Lord Himself. It was born out of a great desire that the people of God not destroy themselves on any lower-level goal than that which has always been God's original purpose and plan for His people. And God's plan and purpose for man has never changed, not from before the foundation of the world. All of the past prophets were generally the greatest intercessors ... men like Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, Ezra, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Paul. They all identified with God's ultimate intention and they all also identified with God's people.
The question for all of us is, Who really desires to identify with God's eternal purpose for man and who wants to cooperate with the moving of the Holy Spirit such that His will might be completely consummated? In order to identify with His eternal purpose, we must first of all know what that purpose is and always has been, even before the foundation of the world. We must know and understand God's eternal purpose for creating man. We must also understand that Calvary never was an afterthought. Then we must ask for His grace and mercy; we must cry out to Him for help ... help that we all might be able, like Paul, to finish our course with joy; to fulfill the ministry for which we were created; to cooperate with Him so that His kingdom come, His will be done, and His power and glory be manifested throughout all the earth.
Finally, from verse 10 of 2 Timothy, chapter 1, what is the gospel? The gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ; it is the gospel of the kingdom of God; it is the gospel of complete salvation, not simply being born from above; it is the gospel of power; it is the gospel of grace; it is the gospel of peace; it is the gospel of God's eternal purpose; it is the gospel of life, immortality, and incorruptibility; it is the gospel of service and the call to consecration. The gospel was fully displayed with the first coming of Jesus, and will be consummated with His soon second coming.
Paul said, "He put me into the ministry" (1 Timothy 1:12; Acts 1:17, 25; Acts 20:24). I have no ministry; neither do you. It is all His ministry. Believers come and go, but the ministry continues forever because it is all His ministry and He lives in eternity. Paul said, "Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:16). Hezekiah said something similar (Psalm 120:5); so did Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5); so did Micah (Micah 7:1). Jeremiah said, "Woe is me," at least four times (Jeremiah 4:31, 10:19, 15:10, 45:3). The great message preached by all of the prophets in Scripture is the judgment of God unless His people repent, but the blessings of God if His people do repent. Repentance includes far more as applied to a Spirit-filled believer than just repenting of any act or thought of omission or commission.
A careful reading of all the Old Testament prophets clearly shows that they had some hard words to say to God's people at times, but it was born out of a great love for His people and directed by the Lord Himself. It was born out of a great desire that the people of God not destroy themselves on any lower-level goal than that which has always been God's original purpose and plan for His people. And God's plan and purpose for man has never changed, not from before the foundation of the world. All of the past prophets were generally the greatest intercessors ... men like Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, Ezra, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Paul. They all identified with God's ultimate intention and they all also identified with God's people.
The question for all of us is, Who really desires to identify with God's eternal purpose for man and who wants to cooperate with the moving of the Holy Spirit such that His will might be completely consummated? In order to identify with His eternal purpose, we must first of all know what that purpose is and always has been, even before the foundation of the world. We must know and understand God's eternal purpose for creating man. We must also understand that Calvary never was an afterthought. Then we must ask for His grace and mercy; we must cry out to Him for help ... help that we all might be able, like Paul, to finish our course with joy; to fulfill the ministry for which we were created; to cooperate with Him so that His kingdom come, His will be done, and His power and glory be manifested throughout all the earth.
Finally, from verse 10 of 2 Timothy, chapter 1, what is the gospel? The gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ; it is the gospel of the kingdom of God; it is the gospel of complete salvation, not simply being born from above; it is the gospel of power; it is the gospel of grace; it is the gospel of peace; it is the gospel of God's eternal purpose; it is the gospel of life, immortality, and incorruptibility; it is the gospel of service and the call to consecration. The gospel was fully displayed with the first coming of Jesus, and will be consummated with His soon second coming.
2 Timothy 1:11-12, "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."
In Philippians 3:10, after 30 years of ministry, Paul said,
"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering, being made conformable unto His death."
In verse 12, two or three years after Paul wrote Philippians 3:10, he did not say, "I know what I have believed." Today, even the "best" of the charismatic/Spirit-filled churches seem to say, "We know what we have believed."
But Paul said, "I know whom I have believed." I believe that Paul is saying that his prayer in Philippians 3:10 had been answered by the Lord. If our sincere prayer today is likewise that we may know Him, then the Lord will certainly answer our prayer and complete His "making" process within us.
But Paul said, "I know whom I have believed." I believe that Paul is saying that his prayer in Philippians 3:10 had been answered by the Lord. If our sincere prayer today is likewise that we may know Him, then the Lord will certainly answer our prayer and complete His "making" process within us.
2 Timothy 1:13-15, "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes."
Before we read the last three verses in 2 Timothy, chapter 1, let us quickly summarize Paul's encouragement and exhortations to Timothy (and each one of us) in chapter 1 of 2nd Timothy.
* stir up the gift of God within him (1:6)* be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord (1:8)
* be not ashamed of Paul, the prisoner of the Lord (1:8)
* be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God (1:8)
* hold fast the form of sound words which he has heard from Paul (1:13)
* that good thing which was committed unto us keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us (1:14)
2 Timothy 1:16-18, "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 knowest very well."
This was a time in Paul's life when he was going through much pain emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically. He was a prisoner. He was suffering. He was in chains for the gospel. He had been deserted by Phygellus and Hermogenes and all those in Asia. He is feeling the emotional strain of having disciples ashamed of him and would not even associate with him. It must have hurt Paul deeply to have some of his brothers ashamed to even be around him, but Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's condition. The name "Onesiphorus" means "bringing advantage" or "profitable." He was an unsung hero. He probably had been an elder in the church at Ephesus, where he first met Paul. He wanted to be with Paul to help him and take care of him. He risked his own life, his own freedom to meet the needs of a brother. He didn't care about the chains! That was his brother! Praise God! A good man will seek opportunities to do good and will not avoid that opportunity.
He searched hard to find him; he didn't give up. What a spirit! He didn't throw in the towel just because he had looked in a few jails and didn't find him. The Roman prison system was not an easy place to find criminals. It was easy to get lost in some dungeon somewhere and not be heard of again. He kept at it, determined to find this man of God. You can hear him praying, God help me to find Paul. God answered his prayer because he had the same spirit of the widow who kept praying and didn't give up. A true friend walks in when others walk out. Just before the Jews apprehended Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, we read in Mark 14:50 that His disciples "all forsook Him, and fled."
Many long years ago, while I was out of town, one of the elders in our local church called another elder and said that he sensed that my wife, Linda, had some problems, so they both came over and prayed for her. About 18 years ago I knew a man who drove a car more than 500 miles just to pray for the wife of a brother in Christ. He said that one believer in that distant town told him they were amazed that anyone would drive that far just to pray for someone. They said that even the people in the same town would not take the time to pray for the sick woman. A number of months ago, a solid man of God flew several hours just to come and pray for me. Perhaps you are familiar with an old hymn titled, "What a Friend we have in Jesus." It is a true saying that the beginning of every good friendship is the living reality of the Lord Jesus.
Onesiphorus often refreshed Paul! I am sure that Onesipherus was like a breath of fresh air to Paul. How kind and compassionate Onesiphorus must have been. How wonderful it must have been for Paul to have someone care enough to come and bring refreshment! Maybe he shared an encouraging word from brothers and sisters who cared and were doing well spiritually. Maybe he shared some good news from God's word. Maybe they sang together. Undoubtedly, they praised the Lord and prayed together. And where two or three are gathered together, Jesus is in their midst. Whatever it was, it was refreshing to Paul! What a blessed ministry it is to refresh the needy children of God! We need more saints to bring refreshment to one another in the church instead of the division, gossip, backbiting, rumors, hearsay, and meaningless talk that occurs so often. Many years ago, a solid, mature man of God called me and told me about another brother who had strayed from the walk. About two weeks later, he called me back and said that he was sorry ... that what he had told me before was not true. The same thing happened with another man of God. Scripture is clear. If we want to know the truth about another brother, we must first go to the brother himself and ask him directly.
Because Onesiphorus openly associated with Paul's suffering, he was probably put in prison and martyred in Rome because of his close relationship to Paul. Some have interpreted those last few verses in 2 Timothy, chapter 1, to mean that Paul prayed for the dead. I will never believe that. Nowhere in scripture are we told to pray for the dead. The dead are beyond the influence of our intercession. Paul prayed for the household of Onesiphorus and that the Lord would have mercy on him at His second coming. Likewise, from
He searched hard to find him; he didn't give up. What a spirit! He didn't throw in the towel just because he had looked in a few jails and didn't find him. The Roman prison system was not an easy place to find criminals. It was easy to get lost in some dungeon somewhere and not be heard of again. He kept at it, determined to find this man of God. You can hear him praying, God help me to find Paul. God answered his prayer because he had the same spirit of the widow who kept praying and didn't give up. A true friend walks in when others walk out. Just before the Jews apprehended Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, we read in Mark 14:50 that His disciples "all forsook Him, and fled."
Many long years ago, while I was out of town, one of the elders in our local church called another elder and said that he sensed that my wife, Linda, had some problems, so they both came over and prayed for her. About 18 years ago I knew a man who drove a car more than 500 miles just to pray for the wife of a brother in Christ. He said that one believer in that distant town told him they were amazed that anyone would drive that far just to pray for someone. They said that even the people in the same town would not take the time to pray for the sick woman. A number of months ago, a solid man of God flew several hours just to come and pray for me. Perhaps you are familiar with an old hymn titled, "What a Friend we have in Jesus." It is a true saying that the beginning of every good friendship is the living reality of the Lord Jesus.
Onesiphorus often refreshed Paul! I am sure that Onesipherus was like a breath of fresh air to Paul. How kind and compassionate Onesiphorus must have been. How wonderful it must have been for Paul to have someone care enough to come and bring refreshment! Maybe he shared an encouraging word from brothers and sisters who cared and were doing well spiritually. Maybe he shared some good news from God's word. Maybe they sang together. Undoubtedly, they praised the Lord and prayed together. And where two or three are gathered together, Jesus is in their midst. Whatever it was, it was refreshing to Paul! What a blessed ministry it is to refresh the needy children of God! We need more saints to bring refreshment to one another in the church instead of the division, gossip, backbiting, rumors, hearsay, and meaningless talk that occurs so often. Many years ago, a solid, mature man of God called me and told me about another brother who had strayed from the walk. About two weeks later, he called me back and said that he was sorry ... that what he had told me before was not true. The same thing happened with another man of God. Scripture is clear. If we want to know the truth about another brother, we must first go to the brother himself and ask him directly.
Because Onesiphorus openly associated with Paul's suffering, he was probably put in prison and martyred in Rome because of his close relationship to Paul. Some have interpreted those last few verses in 2 Timothy, chapter 1, to mean that Paul prayed for the dead. I will never believe that. Nowhere in scripture are we told to pray for the dead. The dead are beyond the influence of our intercession. Paul prayed for the household of Onesiphorus and that the Lord would have mercy on him at His second coming. Likewise, from
2 Timothy 4:19, "Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus."
Paul never said, Salute Onesiphorus because he was in the arms of the Lord Jesus when Paul wrote 2 Timothy.
Paul was not able to reward his friend for all of his graciousness, but the Lord could and would. In ministering to Paul, Onesiphorus had ministered to the Lord, and by the Lord he would be blessed in eternity. I am convinced that Onesiphorus has received a crown of righteousness, a crown of life, and a crown of glory. Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). That is what Onesiphorus did. More importantly, that is what Jesus did for us all.
How does all of this about Onesiphorus apply to you and me? Did you know that just by our presence we have an impact on the lives of others? Fifty years ago the Lord quickened to me that we live in a Virginia suburb of Washington, DC, primarily to be one of some number of His people to hold back the forces of evil around Washington. The first prophecy that my wife received was that she had a ministry of blessing. For a year or more she thought that meant that she should lay her hand on someone's shoulder and say, "I bless you in the Name of the Lord." Then the Lord said, "No. You are the blessing, just by your presence." If anyone is around my wife for ten minutes, you know that she has a genuine interest in your well-being. What a blessing she has been to me and all who know her for 64 years! Does my presence refresh others? Does your presence refresh others?
Also, we should note that Paul did not ask Onesiphorus to come to Rome. Onesiphorus took the initiative. In years past I have heard a few believers say, "Just tell me what to do and I will do it." That may be admirable, but the better way is for the Lord to tell us what to do. Then we must be diligent to trust and obey.
Paul was not able to reward his friend for all of his graciousness, but the Lord could and would. In ministering to Paul, Onesiphorus had ministered to the Lord, and by the Lord he would be blessed in eternity. I am convinced that Onesiphorus has received a crown of righteousness, a crown of life, and a crown of glory. Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). That is what Onesiphorus did. More importantly, that is what Jesus did for us all.
How does all of this about Onesiphorus apply to you and me? Did you know that just by our presence we have an impact on the lives of others? Fifty years ago the Lord quickened to me that we live in a Virginia suburb of Washington, DC, primarily to be one of some number of His people to hold back the forces of evil around Washington. The first prophecy that my wife received was that she had a ministry of blessing. For a year or more she thought that meant that she should lay her hand on someone's shoulder and say, "I bless you in the Name of the Lord." Then the Lord said, "No. You are the blessing, just by your presence." If anyone is around my wife for ten minutes, you know that she has a genuine interest in your well-being. What a blessing she has been to me and all who know her for 64 years! Does my presence refresh others? Does your presence refresh others?
Also, we should note that Paul did not ask Onesiphorus to come to Rome. Onesiphorus took the initiative. In years past I have heard a few believers say, "Just tell me what to do and I will do it." That may be admirable, but the better way is for the Lord to tell us what to do. Then we must be diligent to trust and obey.
Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
Yes, Jesus called us friends.
John 15:15, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."
But I dare not call Him my Big Brother or Daddy or even my friend. My natural father's first name was Roy and my mother's first name was Mabel, but I never called him "Roy" and I never called her "Mabel." We typically call our natural father "daddy" or "dad" or "father." We typically call our mother "mom" or "mommy" or "mama." Why? hopefully out of respect. Even the natural brothers of Jesus called Him "Lord." In reality, in the past several months I have been somewhat convicted when I have said "praise Jesus." I have started saying "I praise you, Lord Jesus."
Romans 13:1, 2, 7, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."
In Luke 20:25, Jesus said "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's."
What things must we render to God? An unknown psalmist asked that question in Psalm 116:12-19,
12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me?13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
The cup that our Father has given to us, shall we not drink it? Our cup is the specific purpose for which we were created. Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul. We must be eternity-minded, not time and earth-bound minded.
14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all His people.Ecclesiastes 5:5, "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
Death to self-will in all of its manifestations.
16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
Although Jesus said He no longer calls us servants but now calls us friends, we are still His servants.
17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.18I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all His people,
Note that verse 18 is the exact same phrasing as in verse 14, indicating the importance of paying our vows to the Lord.
19 In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
David said, in Psalm 56:12, "Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee."
Revelation 4:11, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
Revelation 5:11-14, "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."
Amen and amen.
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