The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
Onesiphorus often brought refreshment to Paul while he was in prison, and he was not ashamed of his chain, which was his imprisonment for the truth. His faithful visits and practical efforts to lighten Paul's hardship carried comfort, companionship and cheer into a season marked by loneliness and desertion. He kept seeking Paul out and visiting him even though doing so exposed him to scorn and persecution.
In return Paul prayed that the Lord would grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus. Other believers who welcomed Paul and were not ashamed of his bonds encouraged him in the same way, and their love and support lifted his sadness and gave him courage. Christians who were not ashamed of his chains refreshed him, and their loving support reassured him that his labor for Christ had borne fruit.
Onesiphorus often brought refreshment to Paul while he was in prison, and he was not ashamed of his chain, which was his imprisonment for the truth. His faithful visits and practical efforts to lighten Paul's hardship carried comfort, companionship and cheer into a season marked by loneliness and desertion. He kept seeking Paul out and visiting him even though doing so exposed him to scorn and persecution.
In return Paul prayed that the Lord would grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus. Other believers who welcomed Paul and were not ashamed of his bonds encouraged him in the same way, and their love and support lifted his sadness and gave him courage. Christians who were not ashamed of his chains refreshed him, and their loving support reassured him that his labor for Christ had borne fruit.