The Apostle Paul was betrayed. So stunning to me that Paul's friends bailed on him. What happened to Paul is why we are building a brotherhood. We need our brothers.
It happened when he was in jail and needed his friends in Asia to stand with him. In his letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:15-18) Paul describes how men he thought he could count on had turned away from him.
But there was one man who stood with his friend.
Here's how Paul described the incident, "As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me—even Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me. May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ’s return."
Paul must have felt so deeply betrayed. He'd been in shipwrecks, been beaten and scourged. But this was a shock. His friends turned on him.
BUT ONE MAN STOOD AS HIS BROTHER.
Three things that Onesiphorus did for Paul - what a brother does.
1. He was Paul's friend regardless of the situation. He was not ashamed of Paul and not ashamed of the Gospel. When Paul was in trouble - Onesi didn't hesitate. This was his brother.
2. He didn't just talk - he acted. He sought out Paul and found him. This was probably very difficult. He was in another city. It involved hard travel and deep devotion. But he did it.
3. He was practical in his friendship. When Paul says he "encouraged" him the context is that Oni brought Paul food and water and most likely writing tools. He made a difference in Paul's life.
Brotherhood makes a difference. Be that man for your friends.
Onisipherus was a discipled man. When you disciple a man it changes everything. Because that man changes everything around him.
Build your band of brothers. Stay connected.
