2 Timothy 4 19

2 Timothy 4:19 kjv

Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

2 Timothy 4:19 nkjv

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

2 Timothy 4:19 niv

Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

2 Timothy 4:19 esv

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

2 Timothy 4:19 nlt

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus.

2 Timothy 4 verses

2 Timothy 4 19 Meaning

2 Timothy 4:19 serves as a concise yet profound expression of Paul's enduring Christian fellowship and affection. As he concludes his final letter, likely from Roman imprisonment, he extends specific greetings to Prisca and Aquila, two well-known and highly respected co-workers in the early church, and to the entire household of Onesiphorus. This verse underscores the deep personal bonds and the significant role of committed individuals and their families in supporting the spread of the Gospel, even amidst Paul's imminent departure.

2 Timothy 4 19 Context

This verse is part of Paul's final, intensely personal directives and salutations in 2 Timothy. Having urged Timothy to faithfully carry on the Gospel ministry (2 Tim 4:1-8), reflected on his own imminent martyrdom (2 Tim 4:6-8), and noted instances of abandonment and faithful support (2 Tim 4:9-16), Paul transitions to sending final, specific greetings. These greetings, following mentions of Luke being with him and Demas having deserted him, serve to underscore the ongoing relational aspect of Christian ministry even in its twilight. The entire chapter oscillates between deep theological instruction, personal reflections on faithfulness and suffering, and concrete human connections, making verse 19 a poignant reminder of the enduring fellowship within the early Christian community, founded on shared faith and service.

2 Timothy 4 19 Word analysis

• Greet (ἀσπάσασθε - aspasasthe): This is an aorist imperative verb, commanding Timothy to convey a greeting on Paul's behalf. It signifies an expression of fellowship, love, and respect. It's a common term in Hellenistic greetings and Paul uses it frequently in his epistolary closings, emphasizing communal solidarity among believers.
• Prisca (Πρίσκαν - Priskan): Also known as Priscilla. She is consistently mentioned alongside her husband, Aquila. Notably, her name often appears first (as here and in Acts 18:26, Rom 16:3), which was unusual for a woman in that era, suggesting a significant role, perhaps in teaching or leadership, or simply her spiritual giftedness was more prominent. She was a Jewish Christian, a tentmaker like Paul, and a faithful co-worker in his missionary efforts. She and Aquila hosted house churches, provided theological instruction (e.g., to Apollos), and even risked their lives for Paul (Rom 16:4).
• and (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction linking the names. In this context, it affirms their joint ministry and recognition.
• Aquila (Ἀκύλαν - Akylan): Prisca’s husband, a Jewish believer who, along with his wife, was expelled from Rome by Emperor Claudius’s edict (Acts 18:2). They were instrumental in the early church's development in Corinth, Ephesus, and later Rome. Their occupation as tentmakers allowed them to support themselves and Paul, embodying practical partnership in the Gospel.
• and the household (τὸν οἶκον - ton oikon): The Greek word oikos (household) is a crucial social and economic unit. It encompasses not only immediate family members but also extended relatives, slaves, freedmen, and dependents living under the same roof. In the early church, households often served as gathering places for believers, forming what are known as "house churches." This greeting implies a recognition of the collective faith and hospitality of Onesiphorus’s entire domestic group, underscoring the communal and familial nature of Christian devotion.
• of Onesiphorus (Ὀνησιφόρου - Onēsinophorou): Onesiphorus himself was deeply appreciated by Paul for his fearless loyalty and refreshing care during Paul’s imprisonment (2 Tim 1:16-18). His family's loyalty, presumably during a difficult time for Paul when others had abandoned him, is now being acknowledged and remembered through this greeting, perhaps because Onesiphorus himself was not with them or had died, but his "household" remained a pillar of faith and support.

2 Timothy 4 19 Bonus section

• The strategic movement of Prisca and Aquila: Their presence is noted in three major Roman centers (Rome, Corinth, Ephesus), highlighting their mobility and strategic impact on the growth of the church. They adapted their ministry to wherever the Holy Spirit led them.
• The "household" concept (oikos) was pivotal for church planting in the New Testament era. Christian communities frequently formed and met in private homes, making such greetings a recognition of an entire assembly of believers rather than just nuclear family members. This shows that the basic unit of the church often began and flourished within domestic settings.
• Paul's personal salutations, such as this one, serve a dual purpose: they express genuine affection and solidify the relational bonds crucial for ministry endurance, but they also offer a glimpse into the diverse people and their vital contributions to the burgeoning Christian faith beyond the immediate apostolic circle. It humanizes the grand narrative of evangelism and church building.

2 Timothy 4 19 Commentary

2 Timothy 4:19 stands as a powerful testament to the intricate web of personal relationships that underpinned the early Christian movement. Paul, on the verge of martyrdom, is not consumed solely by doctrine or grand strategy, but pauses to honor specific individuals and families who exemplified faithful service and enduring loyalty. Prisca and Aquila represent the quintessential missionary couple – diligent, courageous, hospitable, and theologically sharp, serving as partners to Paul and mentors to others, embodying the spread of the Gospel through committed individual and family units. The greeting to "the household of Onesiphorus" beautifully illustrates that faithfulness and service often involve not just an individual, but their entire family. It implicitly commends their collective witness and enduring legacy of love and support, affirming that the Christian life is profoundly communal, nurtured and sustained within the "oikos," the domestic sphere, which often became the very nucleus of local church life. This verse demonstrates Paul’s deep pastoral heart and the critical importance of recognizing and valuing every member of the spiritual family.