Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 1:17
But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found [me.]
17. when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently ] It is the simple verb, and, according to the best mss., the positive not the comparative adverb, he sought me diligently. What ‘close confinement’ could be under the Emperor Tiberius we see from Suet. Tib. 61 (quoted by Lewin) ‘quibusdam custodiae traditis non modo studendi solatium ademptum sed etiam sermonis et colloquii usus.’ What it could be under Nero’s lieutenant Tigellinus, who succeeded Burrus as praefectus praetorii a.d. 63, we learn from Tacitus, who says of him ( Hist. i. 72) ‘crudelitatem mox deinde avaritiam et virilia scelera exercuit corrupto ad omne facinus Nerone.’
Where did Onesiphorus find St Paul? Nero to screen himself had given the word for the most virulent animosity against the Christians (Tac. Ann. xv. 44). When St Paul then was brought prisoner to Rome, he must have been known as one of their chief leaders, and as such would be confined now not in any ‘hired house,’ not in any ‘guard house’ of the praetorium, or any minor state prison, such as that of Appius Claudius if it still existed, or even the ‘Stone Quarry Prison,’ lautumiae, at the furthest north-west corner of the Forum, but (we may believe) in the Carcer itself, the Tullianum or ‘Well-Dungeon,’ at the foot of the Capitol. This last with its chill vault and oozing spring was the worst, as we gather from Seneca Controv. ix. 3, where one Julius Sabinus asks to be removed from the ‘Carcer’ the Prison par excellence to the lautumiae. See Burn, Rome and the Campagna, p. 80, and his fuller account of the ‘Carcer’ in Excursus.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But when he was in Rome – What was the employment of Onesiphorus is not known. It may have been that he was a merchant, and had occasion to visit Rome on business. At all events, he was at pains to search out the apostle, and his attention was the more valuable because it cost him trouble to find him. It is not everyone, even among professors of religion, who in a great and splendid city would be at the trouble to search out a Christian brother, or even a minister, who was a prisoner, and endeavor to relieve his sorrows. This man, so kind to the great apostle, will be among those to whom the Saviour will say, at the final judgment, I was in prison, and ye came unto me; Mat 25:36.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 17. When he was in Rome] Onesiphorus was no doubt an Asiatic, (probably an Ephesian, see below,) who had frequent business at Rome; and when he came sought out the apostle, who, it is supposed, had been confined in some close and private prison, (see the preface,) so that it was with great difficulty he could find him out. This man had entertained the apostle when he was at Ephesus, and now he sought him out at Rome. Pure love feels no loads. Here was a true friend, one that sticketh closer than a brother.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
But when he was in Rome, whither he might go upon his private occasions, and, being there,
he sought me out very diligently and found me; he made it his business to find out Paul, and rested not until he found him, either at his inn, or in the prison where he was put.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. found mein the crowdedmetropolis. So in turn “may he find mercy of the Lord inthat day” when the whole universe shall be assembled.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But when he was in Rome,…. Upon some business or another, where the apostle was a prisoner:
he sought me out very diligently, and found me; as there might be many prisons in Rome, he went from one to another, till he found him; and was one of those to whom Christ will say hereafter, “I was in prison and ye came unto me”, Mt 25:36 or the reason of his going from place to place in quest of him was this; the apostle was not in any particular place of confinement, but had a lodging where he was kept by a soldier, and which with some difficulty Onesiphorus found out: the manner of his bonds was this; he had a long chain fastened at one end to his right arm, and at the other to the left arm of the soldier that kept him, who constantly attended him in this form, wherever he went; and it is possible that in this way he might have liberty to go about and visit his friends; and this might still make it more difficult for Onesiphorus to find him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When he was in Rome ( ). Second aorist middle participle of (coming to Rome, happening in Rome).
He sought me diligently and found me ( ). Effective aorists both of them (first of , second of ). He did it at the risk of his own life apparently.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “But, when he was in Rome,” (alla genomenos en Rome) “But when he was come to Rome, of his own accord, will or volition,” perhaps at Paul’s trial referred to in Act 28:21.
2) “He sought me out very diligently” (hupoudaios ezetesen me kai heuren) “He sought me out diligently (until) he found me;” a visit to express special interest in Paul as a messenger of God, though in bonds, Heb 13:1-3; Mat 25:36.
3) “And found me” (kai heuren) “And he even found me, or until he found me.” He did not forsake Paul in adversity, when trouble came, or his name was maligned, Heb 6:10; Mat 25:40. In ministering to Paul Onesiphorus thus ministered to Christ.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(17) But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.But, on the contrary, instead of fearfar from being ashamedhe, when he arrived in Rome, sought me out. This must have been a much more rigorous captivity than the one alluded to in the last chapter of the Acts when St. Paul dwelt in his own hired house with the soldier who guarded him. Now he was rigidly imprisoned, and the very place of his captivity was not, apparently, easily found.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. But Contrastive. He did not find business too pressing to attend to me, or find his Jewish or Roman friends too respectable to condescend to me, but.
Was in Rome Drawn there by some other call, as probably business, which often drew Asiatics to Rome. Notes on Act 19:1; and on Act 18:19.
Sought For such was the obscurity of my condition that I needed to be sought and found.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me .
Ver. 17. He sought me out very diligently ] , with vehement desire and intention of affection, not as a coward seeks after his enemy, whom he hopes he shall never find, but as Saul sought David, or as the wise men the babe of Bethlehem, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ti 1:17 : The reference is most likely to the apostle’s first Roman imprisonment, Eph 6:20 . Whichever it was, implies that it had lasted some time.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
2Ti 1:17. , and found) by Divine aid. A great thing in so great a city, where not many would care for Paul a prisoner. The word, find, in 2Ti 1:18, corresponds to this expression. He found me in so great a crowd: may he find mercy in that day of the general assembly of all men. A similar allusion occurs twice, ch. 2Ti 2:9, note.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Ti 1:17
but, when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me-Among so many prisoners in Rome, gathered from all parts of the empire, it was a difficult task to find him. This shows that he did not fare so well as in the first imprisonment.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Act 28:30, Act 28:31
Reciprocal: Act 2:10 – strangers Act 21:4 – finding Heb 6:10 – which
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ti 1:17. Onesiphorus “proved his faith by his works” in that his interest in Paul was not profession only. He could have contributed material refreshment to hint while absent, by sending necessities of life to him. Such a service would not have exposed him to danger for his life or to shame of being a friend to a prisoner in chains, had he been unwilling to suffer any inconvenience to himself. But his interest in and devotion to Paul was more intense than that as we shall see. When he had occasion to be in Rome, he made diligent inquiry until he contacted the apostle, so as to give him the comfort of his presence.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Ti 1:17. When he was in Borne. It follows from this that he had left it, or, as above, was dead, at the time when St. Paul wrote.
Sought me out very diligently. Literally, more diligently, as by an implied comparison with the conduct of others, or with the average of what was common. Others turned away. He came to Rome and never rested till he had found out where the prisoner of the Lord was kept in custody, and then he came with loyal and loving kindness.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
1:17 “But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found [me]. 18 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.”
He was with Paul at Ephesus and at Rome. Paul was at Ephesus for two years ministering, thus he must have been assisting in some manner.
Another great truth. There may be a big name preacher but you can bet there are many men like Onesiphorus behind them making the big name possible.
Those big names ought not use those under them incorrectly, nor should they become too big on themselves, because they are big due to those behind them and the work that God has given them.
Really big names are not right and proper. It is God that is working behind the scenes in peoples hearts to make a particular ministry move along, thus the name that should be lifted up should be God’s rather than some man that happens to be at the forefront of a given ministry.
Indeed, most of these large ministries falter because the leader begins to think too highly of himself – that he is above the moral code set up by the one he serves.