A Comparative Case Study: Poor and Positive Examples of Gospel Faithfulness

2 Timothy 1:15-16

2 Timothy 1:15-16

You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.

After Paul exhorts Timothy to retain sound gospel doctrine and rely on the Holy Spirit to guard his good deposit in verses 13-14, he then proceeds to talk about two sets of individual/s. One set endured, one set fizzled out. One set remained on fire for the Lord, the other set grew icy and cold in their passion for the Lord. One set remained on mission, the other set abandoned ship.

You can almost think of our passage today as a sort of comparative case study in which we see a poor example of gospel faithfulness and a positive example of gospel faithfulness. Analyzing these two sets of characters will help instruct us on who we should aim and aspire to be, and will give us a first glance of how the principles we’ve been talking about in chapter 1 are practiced.

Firstly, we’ll look at the poor example of gospel faithfulness in verse 15. Paul says, “You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.”

Throughout Paul’s world changing ministry, he ministered, spoke to, and impacted many people, of whom the Asians were one. Acts 19:10 tells us that under Paul’s ministry, “all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” However, although the seeds of God’s Word and gospel truth were clearly planted in them, they never gave “birth” (change word) to healthy and vibrant trees producing fruit. For some undisclosed reason, it seems that many or all of those who once were with Paul had now abandoned him. They had deserted the mission and defected from faithfully advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul makes specific mention of two individuals, Phygelus and Hermogenes. Though nothing else is known about them, Paul’s specific inclusion of their names could be an indication that they held positions of significant influence and leadership. We can’t know for sure. What we can know though is that those mentioned are a pitiful example of gospel faithfulness. When the inevitable storms of persecution that are promised to come when one sets foot on the ship of gospel proclamation came, these people abandoned ship. When suffering and hardship came, these people chose cowardice over courage, and, in complete contradiction to what Paul exhorted Timothy to embody (v8), were both afraid and ashamed to share in suffering for the sake of the gospel. Phygelus, Hermogenes, and those in Asia serve to show us what it means to not endure in suffering for the sake of the gospel. They are poor examples of gospel faithfulness.

“When the inevitable storms of persecution that are promised to come when one sets foot on the ship of gospel proclamation came, these people abandoned ship.”

Unlike the poor example of gospel faithfulness we see in verse 15, in verses 16-18 we see a positive example of gospel faithfulness. Paul says, “may the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when we arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me– may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!- and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.”

Similarly to Phygelus and Hermogenes, we aren’t given much intel on the specifics of who Onesiphorus was and what exactly he did. However, there is clear contrast that is created between Onesiphorus and Phygelus and Hermogenes. Phygelus and Hermogenes abandoned Paul in his time of need, while Onesiphorus alleviated Paul’s suffering and sought to give him rest and refreshment, despite the danger. While Phygelus and Hermogenes were ashamed and afraid of being associated with Paul's chains, Onesiphorus chose not to flee in the face of fear, and boldly sought out the apostle Paul, come what may. In the face of danger and difficulty, Phygelus and Hermogenes deserted and defected, while Onesiphorus pushed through and pressed on. Phygelus and Hermogenes were cowards, while Onesiphorus was characterized by conviction and courage. Two different case studies with one clear example to emulate.

And that really is the question for us all. What kind of people will we be? Will we be bold in the face of suffering, or will we cower in terror and fear? As we observe the poor example of gospel faithfulness we must ask ourselves, will we defect from the mission? Or, as we observe the positive example of gospel faithfulness, will we dig in to the mission?

“As we observe the poor example of gospel faithfulness we must ask ourselves, will we defect from the mission? Or, as we observe the positive example of gospel faithfulness, will we dig in to the mission?”

In verses 16 and 18, Paul declares blessings for Onesiphorus and his household. This reminds us that although “suffering may suck”, in the end it is always worth it. Jesus in Matthew 5:11-12 said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” 2 Peter 5:10 says, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” The point I’m trying to make from these passages? Suffering may suck now, but it will be worth it later. For the Christian, every pain and trial we encounter on this earth only serves to make the awaited glory of heaven all the more sweeter. For the Christian, each day of suffering that passes can be considered momentary affliction in light of the eternal weight of glory that awaits those who have put their faith in Christ Jesus! (2 Cor 4:17). It is because of these truths that we endure in suffering for the sake of the gospel. It is because of these truths that we do not lose heart though our outer selves waste away day by day. (2 Cor 4:16). Because of the surpassing joy and peace we encounter in service to and suffering for Christ Jesus, we can choose to push through and press on in the power of the Holy Spirit. With God’s Word as our guide and with Jesus by our side, we can endure in suffering for the sake of the gospel.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” By God’s grace and in his strength, may we all be able to say these words with confidence when all is said and done. And as we seek to imitate positive examples of gospel faithfulness, may we also live in such a way that all who come behind us may find us faithful. God be with us in the everyday endurance of gospel faithfulness we pray! Amen!