As if to make sure that all in the previous verse should not be taken too literally, Paul immediately mentions one Asian Christian who has been a big help to him. Onesiphorus is mentioned only here and in 4.19; except for the information in these two verses, nothing more is known about him and his family. The meaning of the name is “profit-bearer.” But of course, as is the usual practice in translations, names are not usually translated but transliterated. In the present passage we are told of two positive things about him but in reverse order: he often refreshed Paul while he (Paul) was in prison; and he was not ashamed of Paul’s chains.

The subjunctive form of the verb for grant produces in English the verb phrase May … grant. In many languages a sentence with such a verb phrase is understood simply as a wish; in this context, however, it is better understood as a prayer, and the sentence can therefore be restructured as “I pray that the Lord” (as in Contemporary English Version “I pray that the Lord will be kind to the family of Onesiphorus”).

Lord once again is ambiguous, but in view of the general usage of this term in the Pastorals, it may be best to understand the word as referring to Christ rather than to God.

For mercy see 1 Tim 1.2.

Household is literally “house,” which very often is used for the family (so Good News Translation); it should be noted, however, that at that time the family included not only the parents and the children, but also other people who lived with the family, including servants and slaves, whenever these were present.

The word for refreshed occurs only here in the whole New Testament. Literally the verb means “to cool off,” hence to “relieve,” “refresh.” Onesiphorus has done this often, that is, many times on many different occasions. Refreshed may also be rendered as “cause to be happy” or “make the heart happy.”

For ashamed see 1.8.

The word for chains appears only here in the Pastoral Letters. It is a symbol of captivity, that is, of being a prisoner. During that time both the hands and the feet of prisoners were bound in chains usually made of heavy iron. This does not necessarily mean that Paul was in chains, but he is using chains here as a symbol of his imprisonment (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version “when I was put in jail”).

Of special interest to the translator is the fact that verse 16 is part of a long sentence that includes both verses 17 and 18. It may be advisable to subdivide this long sentence into several short sentences, as many translations have done.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .