"16 May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited me and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. 17 When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me. 18 May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ's return. And you know very well how helpful he was in Ephesus."
Relationship is huge. Relationship between ministry workers is huge.
I know for myself that I count it a blessing to have been placed on a ministry team which I serve. I am hardwired to be in community, and this plays out in my style of ministry as well. I believe that Paul here makes known that partnerships in ministry are extremely important to him as well. In the section of 1Tim just prior to Paul's thankfulness for Onesiphorus, he makes mention of 2 other ministry workers who will not come to see Paul. My presumption would be that they are afraid of being associated with this prisoner for the possibility of they themselves being locked up for preaching "the way".
Then Paul Goes on to pass on the message to Timothy his thankfulness for Onesiphorus. Possibly he wanted Timothy to personally pass on such thanks, but I would imagine more so he wanted to encourage by example the importance of Timothy surrounding himself with other Bold and unashamed believers that can pour their lives into him.
What a thank you Paul gives to Onesiphorus. Asking the Lord to show special kindness to him and his family because of his visits, and because he was not ashamed. And stating that the Lord should show him special kindness on the day of his return, and reaffirming his helpfulness in Ephesus.
Onesiphorus sounds like he deserved such thankfulness. As Paul mentions that when Onesiphorus would come to Rome he would search the entire city until he was able to find Paul and come encourage him.
Paul was extremely encouraged by this fellow ministry worker, just making the effort to come and see him, and encourage him. I know for myself, when I have those coffees, lunches, and dinners with these type of people who are committed to me I have felt the same as Paul. I feel energized, more confident, and more willing to keep serving in the capacity I am. So I know the importance of having such people in my life.
And in knowing such truth, the challenge is making sure that my ministry life does not keep me so busy that I do not have the time to go visit other ministry workers, to spend time just loving on the people who are serving in my ministry. Onesiphorus was not completely bogged down by the task of ministry that he totally forgot the ministers. And the fact that Paul was writing this letter to Timothy shows that Paul also did not busy himself so much that he was not able to engage in relationship.
If when my time in ministry is over, or my time on this earth is over, and I do not have people making such comments about me as Paul makes about Onesiphorus, I have to admit that I would consider having missed out on the point and come up short.
May I always be reminded of the importance of such love and encouragement and relationship for those who I have the privilege and honor to serve along side of.
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