2 Timothy 1:15

 2 Timothy 1:15 says, This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.  Paul said that all the people of Asia had turned against him, which means they would have turned against his preaching the gospel.  He named two people in particular who had turned against him and were leading others away from the truth.  There are still many false teachers today and we must lead people to the truth of God so they will know when someone is preaching a false gospel.  We may or may not be led to call them out by name, but if the Holy Spirit leads us to do so, then we should.  We should never let false doctrine stand.  

Verse sixteen adds, The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:  Paul then singled out a man whose house Timothy was to show mercy to because he had helped Paul and was not ashamed of Paul’s chains.  Mercy comes from God, but as followers of Christ we are to show His mercy to people.  Like Onesiphorus, we should help those who are proclaiming God’s word and never turn away from them if they are in trouble because of their faith.  

Verse seventeen continues, But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.  Paul then gives an example of how Onesiphorus had refreshed him.  While Paul was in prison in Rome, Onesiphorus had diligently sought for him, even though this might have caused him problems because he was identifying with Paul, who was in prison because of his faith.  If other believers are falsely imprisoned, we should never be ashamed to be identified with them and must do all that we can to help them.  

Verse eighteen concludes, 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.  Paul asked that Onesiphorus have God grant him mercy when judgement came.  Paul said this was because of what he had done for him, but I believe that Paul knew that this was done in obedience to God.  People will not find God’s gift of salvation simply by being good to preachers in their time of trouble if they have not put their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.