“Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus” (2Tim 4:19).
Headliners Making Headlines
Let’s face it, we love us some power couples. The tabloids can't wait for a pair of headliners to start making headlines together. Kim Kardashian and Kanye. Beyonce and Jay Z. Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady. Sometimes we even give them their own little cutesie pet name like Bennifer or Brangelina.
And then you have entire families who are famous in entertainment, politics, or business. The Kennedys. The Jacksons. Dare I say, the Simpsons? Sometimes just a surname ensures celebrity.
A Couple and a Family
Near the end of his very last letter, a man named Paul mentions a particular husband and wife as well as one of his favorite families. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus” (v19).
Let’s be honest. We’ll never see Prisca and Aquila on magazine covers in the checkout line. Don’t hold your breath for the Onesiphorus family to star on a reality TV show. But their seemingly small mention in a First Century document introduces us both to a true power couple and famous family used by God is big ways to spread His Gospel.
A Very Personal Note
Before we check out the folks Paul mentions, let’s check out why he’s writing in the first place. The calendar reads late in the year of 67 AD. The place is a Roman prison (2Tim 1:8, 16). The apostle knows he has just days left in this dungeon before his execution (2Tim 4:6-7).
That being the case, you can understand why this is the most personal and raw letter in the entire Bible. Paul writes to someone he considers his spiritual son (1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2). He’s left the young pastor to lead the church he planted in Ephesus, a large port city on the west coast of Asia Minor (1Tim 1:3).
A Pair of Purposes
Knowing his time left on this side of heaven is rapidly running out, the apostle fires off one last letter with two basic purposes. One, strongly encourage Tim as he passes him the baton of ministry (2Tim 2:1-4:5). God has given Paul a great run but it is about over.
Two, plead for one final visit before it’s too late (2Tim 4:9, 21). He may be Jesus’ handpicked spokesperson to non-Jews, but that doesn’t mean he’s immune to loneliness.
Nearing the End
We’re near the end of the last words Paul will ever write. The Lord has used him in amazing ways over the past 30-plus years. Just check out his resume. Former Pharisee (Phil 3:5). From murderer of Jesus’ followers to missionary of His message (Acts 7:58-8:3).
At least four major Mediterranean tours telling people about Jesus. Planter of at least 14 churches. Discipled key leaders of the early church like Timothy, Titus, Silas, Mark, and Luke just to name a few. Writer of no less than 13 books of the Bible and 28% of what we call the New Testament.
Give Them a Hug
Paul spends the final strokes of his pen telling Tim to send his best to some very special friends. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus” (v19). Just who are these folks? Why did the apostle feel the need to reach out to them at such a dark and desperate time of his life?
First of all, he urges Timothy pay his respects to them. The word we translate as “greet” (Gr. ασπαζομαι/aspozomai) means to embrace, express good wishes, or show honor to someone. But this is so much more than just firm handshake. The term carries a ton of intimacy. It comes from a root word that describes drawing someone close. Paul wants Tim to give them a hug for him.
Kisses for Christ?
That certainly makes sense. For heaven’s sake, they’re family members as brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul and his buddy Peter both go so far as to tell us to pucker up whenever we run into a fellow follower of Jesus (Rom 16:16; 1Pet 5:14). Hint: you may want to keep a few Tic Tacs handy.
I realize everybody is not a “hugger” like me. There are some of us who get a little freaked out when anyone enters their personal space to hug their neck. But let’s be willing to do what we can to show folks the love of Jesus when we see them. Can you at least spare a high five?
Husband and Wife
Paul first mentions “Prisca and Aquila” (v19). These are two of his oldest friends in the faith. Dr. Luke tells us that they first met over in Corinth around 51-52 AD. “And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome” (Acts 18:2).
So Aquila is a Jewish follower of Jesus from Pontus, a province on the northern coast of what we know today as Turkey. He’s married to the lovely Priscilla. Apparently the apostle became such good friends with them that he called her by the nickname Prisca (Rom 16:3; 1Cor 16:19). If you know Paul, you know how much he loves a good nickname.
They meet in Corinth because the Emperor Claudius has kicked out all the followers of Christ fro the capital. This foreshadows the coming persecution of the church that puts Paul in prison a few years later. In 64 AD, Nero will pin the blame of the great fire of Rome on the disciples of the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth.
Business Partners
Luke goes on to say that Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul went into business together in Corinth since they were all tentmakers (Acts 18:3). They went out of their way NOT to be a financial burden to these fledgling church plants. Sometimes the apostle supports himself and preaches free of charge (1Cor 9:3-18; 2Cor 11:7). But he also clearly accepts money from other churches (2Cor 11:8-9; Phil 4:15-18).
After local Jews attack the apostle and try to get Corinthian city leaders to shut him down (Acts 18:12-17), Paul hops a ship to Syria and takes “with him Priscilla and Aquila” (Acts 18:18). He drops them off at Ephesus along the way (Acts 18:19).
Assisting Apollos
Luke tells us that while this power couple is in E City, they run into an incredible speaker and teacher named Apollos. God was using him to have a huge impact for the kingdom. There was just one problem. “he knew only of the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25).
One day before Apollos speaks at the Ephesian synagogue, Priscilla and Aquila “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26). It worked like a champ. A little later when he hits Achaia, “he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus” (Acts 18:28).
The couple fills in the blanks for Apollos. He knew about the One promised by God to come to our rescue. He just didn’t know Jesus is the coming Messiah. They explain to him how the Lord lived the perfect life we could never live. How He died the death for our sin we should have died. How He rose to the new life we could never earn. How He lovingly leads us through His commands.
Making Others Better
Notice what they didn’t do. Aquila and Priscilla could have grabbed the mic and taken the lead. They had every right since Apollos didn’t have the latest news on Jesus. Instead they coach up on Christ and cut him loose. What a humbling reminder of how the Lord calls us to empower others and “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph 4:12).
God uses them to make Apollos more effective. They’re not afraid to gently confront someone and set them straight. You can see why Paul hangs out with them so much. Who doesn’t love to spend time around people who make you better? Iron sharpens iron, baby. Iron sharpens iron (Prov 27:17).
Opening Your Home
As the apostle finishes one of his letters to the Corinthian church, he tells them that “Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord” (1Cor 16:19). They open up their home as a safe place for the followers of Jesus. Do I ever host others at my house? Let’s all be ready and willing to be share our lives and our living rooms with each other.
Top Billing
They are in Rome when Paul writes to believers there. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the church of the Gentiles give thanks as well” (Rom 16:3-4). Have you noticed how the order of their names flip flips from time to time? Twice Aquila gets top billing but the other four times it’s Prisca.
You might not think this is anything to worry about. But in the ancient world, this is a VERY big deal. Chances are Priscilla takes the lead in whatever they’re doing. Aquila has clearly out-kicked his coverage. He’s married a strong, confident woman. Paul tips us off that Prisca often takes the lead in ministry.
There’s Something about Mary
It fits the pattern. The Lord scandalously broke cultural rules by allowing ladies to learn at His feet. As a result, some of Jesus most devoted followers were females like Mary Magdelene, Mary the mother of the Sons of Thunder, Jesus’ own mom Mary, as well as Lazarus’ sisters Mary and Martha. When it comes to following Jesus, maybe there IS something about Mary!
The long list of ladies serving Jesus doesn’t stop there. There’s Tabitha AKA Dorcas over in Joppa (Acts 9:36). John Mark’s mom Mary (Acts 12:12)…yup, another “Mary.” Lydia, the Philippian fashionista (Acts 16:14-15). The young girl Paul freed from both human trafficking and demon possession (Acts 16:16-18). Phoebe serving the church in Cenchreae (Rom 16:1-2). Do I need to go on?
Letting Your Wife Shine
So Priscilla is clearly in good company. She and her husband work as a team for God’s kingdom. Aquila is a dude secure enough in who he is in Jesus that he steps aside to let his wife shine. What a great example of sacrificing himself so that his wife could become all that God has created her to be.
Don’t make mistake of thinking Aquila’s a doormat. He knows full well that he and Prisca are one flesh (Gen 2:24; Eph 5:31). As teammates, they willingly submit to one another as an act of worship to Jesus (Eph 5:21). They are truly a power couple when it comes to serving Christ.
The Spiritual Head
But isn’t the husband supposed to be the spiritual head in the marriage (1Cor 11:3)? No question. But head does NOT mean dictator. It points to the one God will hold accountable.
Take the first marriage as an example. Eve is the one who listens to the satanic snake and sins first (Gen 3:6). But God holds her husband accountable for not leading and protecting his bride (Gen 3:9-11, 17-19). For Pete’s sake, the dude was right there when it all went down!
Serving Side-by-Side
Prisca and Aquila are a powerful example of how a husband and wife can serve our Savior side-by-side. I’m not saying you always have to be part of the same team serving at your church. But why not give it a shot? It’s one very practical way that a spouse can die to self and spend more time with the one they love. Why spend time apart while one of you serves at a different time or on a different day? Be a power couple for Jesus.
Back in Paul’s last letter, he also tells Timothy to also say “hello” to “the household of Onesiphorus” (v19). This is the second time he mentions the Big O and his family in the note. Clearly the guy with a very strange name and his famous family have a very special place in his heart.
Code Name Onesiphorus?
Near the beginning of the epistle he writes, “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—may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you know well all the service he rendered at Ephesus” (2Tim 1:16-18).
So who is this guy? Let’s face it, not too many parents are naming their sons Onesiphorus these days. And there’s a good chance that’s not his real name at all. Remember, Paul is serving hard time in Caesar’s SuperMax. He may be giving the Big O a nickname. Could this like a code name so he wouldn’t blow his cover during the brutal persecution of Jesus’ followers in the empire?
Just Call Him “Benny”
Whether it’s his real name or not, what does Onesiphorus mean? The Greek word (Gr. Ονεσιφορος/Onesiphorus) describes someone who is profitable and beneficial. Let’s call him “Benny.” See what I did there?
When he’s around, he always makes sure your life runs in the black, not in the red. Someone with that sort of rep would certainly be enthusiastic, friendly, likable, courageous, fiery, passionate, and have a deep faith. Yeah, the Big O is anything but a big zero.
Leaving a Legacy
There’s a big question as to whether the Benny is still alive when Paul writes to Timothy. This could be why the apostle asks for Jesus to bless “the household of Onesiphorus” (v16). While we can’t be 100% sure of Onesiphorus’ status, Paul certainly asks Christ for an extra heapin’ helpin’ of mercy when the Lord returns for His ultimate encore (v18).
This husband and father not only made a huge impact on the apostle but his own relatives as well. Since Timothy’s leading the church in Ephesus, there’s a solid chance his wife and kids are key contributors to that congregation. If Jesus has called Onesiphorus home by the time Paul writes, it’s clear his legacy of serving the Lord lives on in his famous family.
Get in the Game
If you’re a husband, father, and grandfather like me, what sort of spiritual leadership are you and I providing? Mike Lee says that God’s Word is clear that Dad is God’s preferred channel of guidance and blessing in the family.
The problem is too many of us haven’t just dropped the ball but never even picked it up. Our abdication of God’s call has forced our wives to step into spiritual leadership. That’s a position they were never born to play. Guys, get off the bench and get in the game. Your wife needs you. Your kids need you.
Initiate Not Dominate
As husbands and fathers, we’re to initiate, not dominate. The best way we can love our kids is by loving their mom. In a letter to his Ephesian friends, Paul calls married men to “love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph 5:25). Jesus sacrificed everything for His bride. We’re called to do the same.
A little later in that same letter, the apostle gets up in the grill of dads as well. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). Are we needlessly ticking off our kids with an regular and very unhealthy dose of because-I-said-so?
Follow Paul’s not-so-subtle command here. Lead, teach, and guide the same way Jesus did. Sure there are times we’ll need to be firm. No question about it. But never miss a teachable moment. And it’s never too early to start. Trust me on this. Every single day I regret the countless moments I missed to love and lead my own kids like the Lord.
Leading the Way
Being the spiritual leader for your family means leading the way in the ways of God. Lead the way in love. Lead in honesty. Lead in integrity. Lead in generosity. Lead in forgiveness. Lead in confession. Lead in repentance. Think about the power of confessing and repenting to your child for losing your cool as a dad.
Here’s a critical point to remember. While it’s imperative that we love our spouse and our kids, God loves them more than you do. I mean WAY more!! And a huge part of our role is to remind them of the overwhelming love of the Dad above.
Modeling Our Heavenly Dad
As fathers, we will impact our family’s view of our Heavenly Father more than we will ever realize. While we can never be perfect (remember that repentance thing we talked about?), we should seek His strength and guidance to be the husband and father He’s called us to be.
There’s little doubt that Onesiphorus’ spiritual investment in his wife and kids led to Paul dropping his name not once but twice in this letter. God clearly used Benny to leave an amazing legacy. His family certainly is famous in the best way possible…famous for making Jesus famous!
Famous for Faith
So there you have it. First of all, the ultimate biblical power couple, Priscilla and Aquila. Second, a family famous for its faith. You won’t see them on the covers of tabloids in the checkout line or featured on Entertainment Tonight. And maybe that’s a good thing.
©2017 Jay Jennings
Headliners Making Headlines
Let’s face it, we love us some power couples. The tabloids can't wait for a pair of headliners to start making headlines together. Kim Kardashian and Kanye. Beyonce and Jay Z. Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady. Sometimes we even give them their own little cutesie pet name like Bennifer or Brangelina.
And then you have entire families who are famous in entertainment, politics, or business. The Kennedys. The Jacksons. Dare I say, the Simpsons? Sometimes just a surname ensures celebrity.
A Couple and a Family
Near the end of his very last letter, a man named Paul mentions a particular husband and wife as well as one of his favorite families. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus” (v19).
Let’s be honest. We’ll never see Prisca and Aquila on magazine covers in the checkout line. Don’t hold your breath for the Onesiphorus family to star on a reality TV show. But their seemingly small mention in a First Century document introduces us both to a true power couple and famous family used by God is big ways to spread His Gospel.
A Very Personal Note
Before we check out the folks Paul mentions, let’s check out why he’s writing in the first place. The calendar reads late in the year of 67 AD. The place is a Roman prison (2Tim 1:8, 16). The apostle knows he has just days left in this dungeon before his execution (2Tim 4:6-7).
That being the case, you can understand why this is the most personal and raw letter in the entire Bible. Paul writes to someone he considers his spiritual son (1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2). He’s left the young pastor to lead the church he planted in Ephesus, a large port city on the west coast of Asia Minor (1Tim 1:3).
A Pair of Purposes
Knowing his time left on this side of heaven is rapidly running out, the apostle fires off one last letter with two basic purposes. One, strongly encourage Tim as he passes him the baton of ministry (2Tim 2:1-4:5). God has given Paul a great run but it is about over.
Two, plead for one final visit before it’s too late (2Tim 4:9, 21). He may be Jesus’ handpicked spokesperson to non-Jews, but that doesn’t mean he’s immune to loneliness.
Nearing the End
We’re near the end of the last words Paul will ever write. The Lord has used him in amazing ways over the past 30-plus years. Just check out his resume. Former Pharisee (Phil 3:5). From murderer of Jesus’ followers to missionary of His message (Acts 7:58-8:3).
At least four major Mediterranean tours telling people about Jesus. Planter of at least 14 churches. Discipled key leaders of the early church like Timothy, Titus, Silas, Mark, and Luke just to name a few. Writer of no less than 13 books of the Bible and 28% of what we call the New Testament.
Give Them a Hug
Paul spends the final strokes of his pen telling Tim to send his best to some very special friends. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus” (v19). Just who are these folks? Why did the apostle feel the need to reach out to them at such a dark and desperate time of his life?
First of all, he urges Timothy pay his respects to them. The word we translate as “greet” (Gr. ασπαζομαι/aspozomai) means to embrace, express good wishes, or show honor to someone. But this is so much more than just firm handshake. The term carries a ton of intimacy. It comes from a root word that describes drawing someone close. Paul wants Tim to give them a hug for him.
Kisses for Christ?
That certainly makes sense. For heaven’s sake, they’re family members as brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul and his buddy Peter both go so far as to tell us to pucker up whenever we run into a fellow follower of Jesus (Rom 16:16; 1Pet 5:14). Hint: you may want to keep a few Tic Tacs handy.
I realize everybody is not a “hugger” like me. There are some of us who get a little freaked out when anyone enters their personal space to hug their neck. But let’s be willing to do what we can to show folks the love of Jesus when we see them. Can you at least spare a high five?
Husband and Wife
Paul first mentions “Prisca and Aquila” (v19). These are two of his oldest friends in the faith. Dr. Luke tells us that they first met over in Corinth around 51-52 AD. “And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome” (Acts 18:2).
So Aquila is a Jewish follower of Jesus from Pontus, a province on the northern coast of what we know today as Turkey. He’s married to the lovely Priscilla. Apparently the apostle became such good friends with them that he called her by the nickname Prisca (Rom 16:3; 1Cor 16:19). If you know Paul, you know how much he loves a good nickname.
They meet in Corinth because the Emperor Claudius has kicked out all the followers of Christ fro the capital. This foreshadows the coming persecution of the church that puts Paul in prison a few years later. In 64 AD, Nero will pin the blame of the great fire of Rome on the disciples of the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth.
Business Partners
Luke goes on to say that Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul went into business together in Corinth since they were all tentmakers (Acts 18:3). They went out of their way NOT to be a financial burden to these fledgling church plants. Sometimes the apostle supports himself and preaches free of charge (1Cor 9:3-18; 2Cor 11:7). But he also clearly accepts money from other churches (2Cor 11:8-9; Phil 4:15-18).
After local Jews attack the apostle and try to get Corinthian city leaders to shut him down (Acts 18:12-17), Paul hops a ship to Syria and takes “with him Priscilla and Aquila” (Acts 18:18). He drops them off at Ephesus along the way (Acts 18:19).
Assisting Apollos
Luke tells us that while this power couple is in E City, they run into an incredible speaker and teacher named Apollos. God was using him to have a huge impact for the kingdom. There was just one problem. “he knew only of the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25).
One day before Apollos speaks at the Ephesian synagogue, Priscilla and Aquila “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26). It worked like a champ. A little later when he hits Achaia, “he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus” (Acts 18:28).
The couple fills in the blanks for Apollos. He knew about the One promised by God to come to our rescue. He just didn’t know Jesus is the coming Messiah. They explain to him how the Lord lived the perfect life we could never live. How He died the death for our sin we should have died. How He rose to the new life we could never earn. How He lovingly leads us through His commands.
Making Others Better
Notice what they didn’t do. Aquila and Priscilla could have grabbed the mic and taken the lead. They had every right since Apollos didn’t have the latest news on Jesus. Instead they coach up on Christ and cut him loose. What a humbling reminder of how the Lord calls us to empower others and “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph 4:12).
God uses them to make Apollos more effective. They’re not afraid to gently confront someone and set them straight. You can see why Paul hangs out with them so much. Who doesn’t love to spend time around people who make you better? Iron sharpens iron, baby. Iron sharpens iron (Prov 27:17).
Opening Your Home
As the apostle finishes one of his letters to the Corinthian church, he tells them that “Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord” (1Cor 16:19). They open up their home as a safe place for the followers of Jesus. Do I ever host others at my house? Let’s all be ready and willing to be share our lives and our living rooms with each other.
Top Billing
They are in Rome when Paul writes to believers there. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the church of the Gentiles give thanks as well” (Rom 16:3-4). Have you noticed how the order of their names flip flips from time to time? Twice Aquila gets top billing but the other four times it’s Prisca.
You might not think this is anything to worry about. But in the ancient world, this is a VERY big deal. Chances are Priscilla takes the lead in whatever they’re doing. Aquila has clearly out-kicked his coverage. He’s married a strong, confident woman. Paul tips us off that Prisca often takes the lead in ministry.
There’s Something about Mary
It fits the pattern. The Lord scandalously broke cultural rules by allowing ladies to learn at His feet. As a result, some of Jesus most devoted followers were females like Mary Magdelene, Mary the mother of the Sons of Thunder, Jesus’ own mom Mary, as well as Lazarus’ sisters Mary and Martha. When it comes to following Jesus, maybe there IS something about Mary!
The long list of ladies serving Jesus doesn’t stop there. There’s Tabitha AKA Dorcas over in Joppa (Acts 9:36). John Mark’s mom Mary (Acts 12:12)…yup, another “Mary.” Lydia, the Philippian fashionista (Acts 16:14-15). The young girl Paul freed from both human trafficking and demon possession (Acts 16:16-18). Phoebe serving the church in Cenchreae (Rom 16:1-2). Do I need to go on?
Letting Your Wife Shine
So Priscilla is clearly in good company. She and her husband work as a team for God’s kingdom. Aquila is a dude secure enough in who he is in Jesus that he steps aside to let his wife shine. What a great example of sacrificing himself so that his wife could become all that God has created her to be.
Don’t make mistake of thinking Aquila’s a doormat. He knows full well that he and Prisca are one flesh (Gen 2:24; Eph 5:31). As teammates, they willingly submit to one another as an act of worship to Jesus (Eph 5:21). They are truly a power couple when it comes to serving Christ.
The Spiritual Head
But isn’t the husband supposed to be the spiritual head in the marriage (1Cor 11:3)? No question. But head does NOT mean dictator. It points to the one God will hold accountable.
Take the first marriage as an example. Eve is the one who listens to the satanic snake and sins first (Gen 3:6). But God holds her husband accountable for not leading and protecting his bride (Gen 3:9-11, 17-19). For Pete’s sake, the dude was right there when it all went down!
Serving Side-by-Side
Prisca and Aquila are a powerful example of how a husband and wife can serve our Savior side-by-side. I’m not saying you always have to be part of the same team serving at your church. But why not give it a shot? It’s one very practical way that a spouse can die to self and spend more time with the one they love. Why spend time apart while one of you serves at a different time or on a different day? Be a power couple for Jesus.
Back in Paul’s last letter, he also tells Timothy to also say “hello” to “the household of Onesiphorus” (v19). This is the second time he mentions the Big O and his family in the note. Clearly the guy with a very strange name and his famous family have a very special place in his heart.
Code Name Onesiphorus?
Near the beginning of the epistle he writes, “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—may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you know well all the service he rendered at Ephesus” (2Tim 1:16-18).
So who is this guy? Let’s face it, not too many parents are naming their sons Onesiphorus these days. And there’s a good chance that’s not his real name at all. Remember, Paul is serving hard time in Caesar’s SuperMax. He may be giving the Big O a nickname. Could this like a code name so he wouldn’t blow his cover during the brutal persecution of Jesus’ followers in the empire?
Just Call Him “Benny”
Whether it’s his real name or not, what does Onesiphorus mean? The Greek word (Gr. Ονεσιφορος/Onesiphorus) describes someone who is profitable and beneficial. Let’s call him “Benny.” See what I did there?
When he’s around, he always makes sure your life runs in the black, not in the red. Someone with that sort of rep would certainly be enthusiastic, friendly, likable, courageous, fiery, passionate, and have a deep faith. Yeah, the Big O is anything but a big zero.
Leaving a Legacy
There’s a big question as to whether the Benny is still alive when Paul writes to Timothy. This could be why the apostle asks for Jesus to bless “the household of Onesiphorus” (v16). While we can’t be 100% sure of Onesiphorus’ status, Paul certainly asks Christ for an extra heapin’ helpin’ of mercy when the Lord returns for His ultimate encore (v18).
This husband and father not only made a huge impact on the apostle but his own relatives as well. Since Timothy’s leading the church in Ephesus, there’s a solid chance his wife and kids are key contributors to that congregation. If Jesus has called Onesiphorus home by the time Paul writes, it’s clear his legacy of serving the Lord lives on in his famous family.
Get in the Game
If you’re a husband, father, and grandfather like me, what sort of spiritual leadership are you and I providing? Mike Lee says that God’s Word is clear that Dad is God’s preferred channel of guidance and blessing in the family.
The problem is too many of us haven’t just dropped the ball but never even picked it up. Our abdication of God’s call has forced our wives to step into spiritual leadership. That’s a position they were never born to play. Guys, get off the bench and get in the game. Your wife needs you. Your kids need you.
Initiate Not Dominate
As husbands and fathers, we’re to initiate, not dominate. The best way we can love our kids is by loving their mom. In a letter to his Ephesian friends, Paul calls married men to “love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph 5:25). Jesus sacrificed everything for His bride. We’re called to do the same.
A little later in that same letter, the apostle gets up in the grill of dads as well. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). Are we needlessly ticking off our kids with an regular and very unhealthy dose of because-I-said-so?
Follow Paul’s not-so-subtle command here. Lead, teach, and guide the same way Jesus did. Sure there are times we’ll need to be firm. No question about it. But never miss a teachable moment. And it’s never too early to start. Trust me on this. Every single day I regret the countless moments I missed to love and lead my own kids like the Lord.
Leading the Way
Being the spiritual leader for your family means leading the way in the ways of God. Lead the way in love. Lead in honesty. Lead in integrity. Lead in generosity. Lead in forgiveness. Lead in confession. Lead in repentance. Think about the power of confessing and repenting to your child for losing your cool as a dad.
Here’s a critical point to remember. While it’s imperative that we love our spouse and our kids, God loves them more than you do. I mean WAY more!! And a huge part of our role is to remind them of the overwhelming love of the Dad above.
Modeling Our Heavenly Dad
As fathers, we will impact our family’s view of our Heavenly Father more than we will ever realize. While we can never be perfect (remember that repentance thing we talked about?), we should seek His strength and guidance to be the husband and father He’s called us to be.
There’s little doubt that Onesiphorus’ spiritual investment in his wife and kids led to Paul dropping his name not once but twice in this letter. God clearly used Benny to leave an amazing legacy. His family certainly is famous in the best way possible…famous for making Jesus famous!
Famous for Faith
So there you have it. First of all, the ultimate biblical power couple, Priscilla and Aquila. Second, a family famous for its faith. You won’t see them on the covers of tabloids in the checkout line or featured on Entertainment Tonight. And maybe that’s a good thing.
©2017 Jay Jennings
No comments:
Post a Comment