2 Timothy 1:18 kjv
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.
2 Timothy 1:18 nkjv
The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day?and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
2 Timothy 1:18 niv
May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
2 Timothy 1:18 esv
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.
2 Timothy 1:18 nlt
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.
2 Timothy 1 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 4:8 | From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness... not only for me, but also for all who have longed for his appearing. | Reward for faithful waiting for Christ |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. | Approaching God for mercy |
| Jas 2:13 | For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. | Mercy triumphing over judgment |
| Matt 5:7 | Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. | The merciful receiving mercy |
| Prov 28:13 | Those who conceal their sins will not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them will obtain mercy. | Confession for mercy |
| Titus 3:5 | he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, | Salvation by God's mercy |
| Eph 2:4-5 | But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ... | God rich in mercy |
| Phil 2:25 | I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus... your messenger and minister to my need, | Service to Paul in prison |
| 1 Cor 3:12-15 | If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest... if anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. | Works tested on the Day of Judgment |
| Matt 25:34-40 | Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food...' | Service to others as service to Christ |
| Heb 6:10 | For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his name in having ministered to the saints, and still ministering. | God remembers and rewards faithful service |
| Col 3:23-24 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. | Serving Christ for reward |
| Rom 2:6-7 | For he will repay according to each one’s deeds: to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. | Repayment according to deeds |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. | Appearing before Christ for judgment |
| Rom 14:10 | For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. | All standing before God's judgment |
| 1 Thess 5:2-4 | For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night... but you, brothers, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. | The Day of the Lord as a future event |
| 2 Pet 3:10-12 | But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar... waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God... | The coming of the Day of the Lord |
| Luke 17:30 | So will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. | The Day of the Son of Man |
| Mal 4:5 | See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. | The great and dreadful Day of the Lord |
| Luke 1:78-79 | By the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness... | God's tender mercy |
| Psa 23:6 | Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. | Goodness and mercy in this life |
| Deut 5:10 | but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. | God's steadfast love (mercy) to His people |
2 Timothy 1 verses
2 Timothy 1 18 Meaning
This verse is a heartfelt prayer by the Apostle Paul for Onesiphorus, a loyal brother who ministered to him during his difficult imprisonment. Paul expresses an earnest desire that the Lord would grant Onesiphorus mercy on the day of ultimate judgment, emphasizing the importance of divine grace at that crucial time. The latter part of the verse reminds Timothy, Onesiphorus's close acquaintance, of the extensive and dedicated service Onesiphorus rendered to Paul previously in Ephesus, validating the deep basis for Paul's affectionate intercession.
2 Timothy 1 18 Context
This verse is found within Paul's deeply personal and solemn letter to Timothy, written from what is believed to be his final imprisonment in Rome before his martyrdom. The letter encourages Timothy to remain steadfast in the faith, to guard the truth, and to persevere in ministry amidst increasing opposition and defection. In Chapter 1, Paul commends Timothy's sincere faith, reminds him of the gift of God, and contrasts the faithfulness of Onesiphorus with others who may have deserted him (2 Tim 1:15-17). Paul's prayer for Onesiphorus's household in verse 16 and for Onesiphorus personally in verse 18 reflects a profound appreciation for his tangible service, especially during Paul's chains and distress. This verse stands as a testament to Christian fidelity and Paul's profound intercession, set against a backdrop of a difficult period for the early Church.
2 Timothy 1 18 Word analysis
- The Lord: (Gr. ho Kyrios). Refers to the divine Master. In Pauline epistles, this often signifies Jesus Christ, through whom all blessings come. It underscores the ultimate source of all true mercy and power. The repetition "The Lord... of the Lord" might be an intensifier, emphasizing God as the sole dispenser of mercy on the day of judgment, through His Son.
- grant unto him: (Gr. doie auto). A subjunctive verb, expressing a strong wish, prayer, or possibility. It's a genuine plea, not a statement of certainty or a command, but an earnest desire for a divine favor.
- that he may find mercy: (Gr. heurein eleos). "Find" (heurein) implies seeking or discovering, though here it suggests receiving a favor bestowed. "Mercy" (eleos) refers to divine compassion, especially shown to the wretched or needy, stemming from God's character rather than human merit. It’s God’s active compassion alleviating suffering and showing kindness, distinct from pure grace (charis) but often related to it.
- of the Lord: (Gr. para Kyriou). Signifies the origin or source of the mercy, confirming it comes from God alone. This second "Lord" is often interpreted as referring to God the Father, or perhaps encompassing the Trinity as the source of final judgment and mercy.
- in that day: (Gr. en ekeinē tē hēmera). This is a well-established New Testament eschatological phrase referring to the Day of Judgment, the return of Christ, or the end of the age when believers will give an account. It signifies a future, decisive day of divine reckoning and revelation.
- and in how many things: (Gr. kai hosa). A conjunction connecting the prayer for future mercy with a justification from past service, and hosa meaning "as much as" or "in whatsoever ways." It highlights the extent and variety of Onesiphorus's ministry.
- he ministered unto me: (Gr. diēkonēsen moi). From the verb diakoneō, meaning to serve, to attend to, to minister to. It indicates practical, often humble, selfless service, like waiting at tables, caring for needs, or acts of charity and hospitality. This underscores Onesiphorus's tangible acts of love.
- at Ephesus: (Gr. en Ephesō). A specific geographical location, a significant early church center. This specifies where Onesiphorus's notable service occurred, demonstrating a long-standing commitment. This ministry contrasts with his more recent seeking out and serving Paul in Rome (vv. 16-17).
- thou knowest very well: (Gr. su beltion ginōskeis). Literally "you know better," or "you know most certainly/best." It's an emphatic appeal to Timothy's personal, first-hand knowledge of Onesiphorus's consistent faithfulness and valuable assistance during Paul's time in Ephesus, which reinforces the genuine and substantial nature of Onesiphorus's commitment.
2 Timothy 1 18 Bonus section
The strong desire for mercy "in that day" coupled with the shift from praying for Onesiphorus's "household" (v. 16) to Onesiphorus singularly (v. 18) has led many biblical scholars and commentators to infer that Onesiphorus might have already passed away. If so, Paul's prayer would be an example of intercession for a deceased believer to receive a gracious verdict on the Day of Judgment, focusing on the quality of mercy rather than a change of eternal destiny. However, even if he were alive, the prayer remains deeply significant, emphasizing that all believers, regardless of their earthly service, depend entirely on God's mercy at the final accounting. It also demonstrates Paul's personal affection and the depth of his bonds formed through shared suffering and ministry within the early Christian community, highlighting the lasting impact of faithful service.
2 Timothy 1 18 Commentary
Paul’s prayer for Onesiphorus is an outpouring of gratitude and profound theological insight. He is not merely expressing thanks, but is earnestly interceding for divine mercy "in that day"—the crucial time of judgment when all deeds and characters will be revealed and judged according to God's standard. This reveals Paul's understanding that even faithful believers stand in need of God's mercy on that day, as ultimate salvation is a matter of God's grace and compassion, not human merit alone, though faithful works bear witness to a genuine walk with Christ and are not forgotten by God. The "mercy" Onesiphorus might receive is likely connected to God's benevolent character and the divine acknowledgment of his sacrificial ministry to Paul and, by extension, to the Body of Christ. The verse subtly underscores that practical acts of service to God's people are deeply valued by Him and contribute to a heavenly reward, demonstrating the interconnectedness of faith, works, and future accountability before God. This plea for mercy also hints at the high stakes of "that day" and reinforces the ultimate reliance on God's grace for eternal destiny.