1:15
All of us experience times when we feel either deserted, betrayed or let down by other Christians. This can be especially true in leadership. Sadly there is nothing unusual about this, it is just part of the way things are. And here Paul describes what happened to him in Asia. Phygelus and Hermogenes are given special mention. Perhaps they had been closely involved in working with Paul, and so the pain of being let down was all the more acute.
1:16-18
At the same time as there will be those who let us down, there will also be those who refresh us by their love and commitment. Paul mentions Onesiphorus. He stuck by Paul even when Paul was in prison. The province of Asia included Ephesus, a place particularly dear to Paul (see Acts 20:13-38), but whom he issued a severe warning to (Acts 20:29-31), and the first of the seven letters in Revelation rebukes the church at Ephesus. In those days people from the outside would have to come and bring food for the prisoners. Verse 17 here indicates that Paul was being held in prison in Rome. Onesiphorus had been a constant and reliable source of support for Paul.
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