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Sketches from the Life of Paul
bonds for the truth’s sake, while he himself, in every respect far less
worthy, walked free.
The visit of Onesiphorus, testifying to his loving fidelity at a time of
loneliness and desertion, was a bright spot in Paul’s prison experience.
In the last letter ever written by him, he thus speaks of this faithful
disciple: “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he
oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain. But when he was
in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord
grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day.”
The desire for love and sympathy was implanted in the heart by
God himself. Christ in his hour of agony in Gethsemane, while bearing
the guilt of sinful men, longed for the sympathy of his disciples. And
Paul, though almost indifferent to hardship and suffering, yearned for
sympathy and companionship. God would have his people cherish
love and sympathy for one another. Humanity, elevated, ennobled,
and rendered Godlike, is worthy of respect and esteem. The sons and
daughters of God will be tender-hearted, pitiful, courteous, to all men,
“especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” But Paul
was bound to his fellow-disciples by a stronger tie than even that of
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Christian brotherhood. The Lord had revealed himself to Paul in a
special manner, and had made him instrumental in the salvation of
many souls. Many churches might in truth regard him as their father in
the gospel. Such a man, who had sacrificed every earthly consideration
in the service of God, had a special claim upon the love and sympathy
of his converts and fellow-laborers.
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