Before he was beheaded by the Romans under Emperor Nero,
Paul the apostle gave Timothy his “dearly beloved son”
final instructions concerning his personal life and the church in
Ephesus. The final words of a person's life are some of the most
important, and as we have been studying Paul's words to Timothy, we
have observed his determination that Timothy “Hold fast the form
of sound words, which” he “had heard of” him, “in
faith and love which is in Christ Jesus”, and he was to “keep
by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us” “that good thing which was
committed unto” him. In chapter one and verse fifteen of his
final letter to Timothy, Paul wrote concerning people in “Asia”
who were “turned away” from him where we read:
This you
know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me;
of whom
are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
The
verse begins, “This you know, that
all they which are in Asia be turned away from me;” It
is interesting that Paul begins this verse with the phrase, “This
you know”
or “the thing I am referencing you have perceived, regarded,
noticed, discovered and ascertained” “that
all” which
means “each, every, any, all, the whole
and everyone” “they which are in”
or “with, by and within” “Asia”
which means “orient” and refers to “Asia proper or proconsular
Asia embracing Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia, and Caria, corresponding
closely to Turkey today” “be turned away
from” which is the Greek word “apostrephō”
which
means “to turn back, return or desert” “from
me”
which is a reference to Paul. More than likely these were fellow
believers of Jesus Christ who followed after Paul until he was
arrested in Rome. Desertion, withdrawal, abandonment and escape are
often the action of people who cannot press forward when difficulties
arise.
The
verse goes on to say, “of whom are Phygellus and
Hermogenes.” Paul went on to
name two of these who abandoned him. He wrote, “of who
are Phygellus” whose name
means “a little fugitive” “and Hermogenes”
which means “lucky born or born of Mercury". These two
were more than likely named because Paul was amazed they would
retract from him. These two men who were once faithful allies of Paul
left him when the Romans arrested him and pronounced his fate of
death.
When we
meditate upon these words of Paul, perhaps we are thinking about
difficult times in our own lives when we have been abandoned by
others. Maybe these troubles were not as challenging as Paul's, but
they affected us adversely and we remember those who remained with
us, and who withdrew. Possibly we are thinking about others who have
had difficulties come into their lives, and many abandoned them in
their plight. As we think this through, let us allow ourselves to
imagine what Paul felt like when he watched person after person
forsake him in his time of need, and as we do, let us be grateful for
Jesus who promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.
No matter how many people
abandon us in our lives, Jesus never will, and we can fully
rely upon Him at all times.
Next
time Paul asks the Lord to “give mercy unto the house of
Onesiphorus”, so read ahead,
and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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