Refreshed (404) (anapsucho from ana = again ~repetition + psucho = breathe, cool, wax cold) literally means to cool again, to make cool or refresh, or to experience cooling so as to recover from the effects of overheating and so to revive by fresh air. In a transitive sense it means to give someone "breathing space" and thus to refresh them, revive them or cheer them up. In the intransitive sense it means to experience relief, reviving or refreshing. Anapsucho is used only here in the NT in a metaphorical sense to describe relief provided to Paul from the distress associated with being in prison and being forsaken by "all who are in Asia". It is as if the air conditioner was turned on in the dank dungeon when Onesiphorus came into the cell. The related combination verb (sunanapauomai) is used by Paul in Romans 15 in which he ask the saints at Rome to pray for him... so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company. (Literally "may be refreshed with") (see note Romans 15:32) Do you have that kind of effect on your brethren? Or do they begin to feel suffocated by your presence? Phillips paraphrases it many times did that man put fresh heart into me. Amplified renders it... bracing me like fresh air. Onesiphorus' visits into the squalid conditions of the dungeon was like a "cool breeze" reviving Paul's spirit and soul. Don't we all thank God for sending those saints who are like “a breath of fresh air” in our time of trial? Anapsucho is the related root for the noun anapsuxis used in (Acts 3:19, 20) where Peter appeals to his unregenerate Jewish listeners at Pentecost to be born again and so to... Repent (aorist imperative = Do this now!) therefore and return, (aorist imperative = Do this now!) that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing (anapsuxis) may come from the presence of the Lord and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you". (Acts 3:19, 20) The Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the OT (Septuagint) uses the related word anapsucho to describe the "refreshing" that came over Saul whenever David would play his harp So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed (Lxx = anapsucho) and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.(1Sa 16:23) In Exodus 23 anapsucho is used to describe the "refreshment" that was to be enjoyed on the Sabbath (rest) day... Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor in order that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh (Lxx = anapsucho) themselves. (Exodus 23:12) Paul used another verb anapauo with a similar meaning to anapsucho, writing to the church at Corinth Paul said... And I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus; because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed (anapauo = caused to rest) my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. (1Corinthians 16:1, -18) Onesiphorus reminds one of the proverb which says that... A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Pr 17:17) ><>><>><> Be A Friend - I received an e-mail asking if I would spend some time with an ailing pastor. The writer said, "Even pastors need to be ministered to." She is right. Everybody needs the encouragement of a friend. Even the courageous and deeply spiritual apostle Paul drew on the support of friends as he languished in a dungeon awaiting execution. This is evident from his desire that the Lord extend special mercy to the family of a friend named Onesiphorus (2 Ti 1:16). This man had gone to great lengths to find Paul, who was imprisoned in Rome. His visits to the apostle were a great encouragement. Paul expressed his gratitude for Onesiphorus, and he wrote, "The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day" (v.18). Since all believers will receive mercy when they stand before Christ, I believe Paul meant that God will give special recognition to those who have shown special kindness to His servants. Many people are looking for a little encouragement from a Christian friend. A pleasant greeting, a verse from the Bible, or a simple prayer can do wonders. Onesiphorus was a special friend because he showed special kindness. Let's follow his example. —Herbert Vander Lugt (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) Our world around us surges--duties vie For all our time, our energies, our care; But greater duty urges: Don't pass by A hurting heart whose burden we may share. --Gustafson Kind words are always music to a heavy heart ><>><>><> Oliver Greene writes that... The majority of friends (so-called) will forsake us in the darkest hour of need; but the friend who is to be treasured as a jewel is the man who stands with us when we need encouragement, when all others are against us, and seemingly we have lost the battle. No words could ever express the worth of such a friend! (Oliver Greene, The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to Timothy and Titus, p.228f) ><>><>><> A Faithful Friend - After one of my relatives had a stroke, she needed help to get around and could no longer remember recent events. One day, my wife Ginny suggested that we take her out to dinner. I wondered if we should, because afterward she wouldn't even remember what we had done. Ginny responded, "While we are with her she will know we love her." How true! All of us need to know we are loved. I recall the answer I received when I asked a 90-year-old shut-in how his grandchildren were doing. He said, "I don't know. I never see them." The apostle Paul was locked in a damp Roman dungeon, awaiting execution. He couldn't help but feel hurt that many former friends had deserted him. How grateful he was for the friendship of Onesiphorus! This man left his family and an active ministry in Ephesus to befriend Paul. When he arrived in Rome, he searched diligently to find where Paul was imprisoned (2Timothy 1:17). And he courageously visited the apostle again and again. Paul said of Onesiphorus, "He often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain" (v.16). Remember, "A friend loves at all times," especially in adversity (Proverbs 17:17). Like Onesiphorus, let's commit ourselves to being faithful to our friends. —Herbert Vander Lugt Someday I hope with you to stand Before the throne, at God's right hand, And say to you at journey's end, "Praise God, you've been to me a friend." —Clark Adversity is the test of true friendship. AND WAS NOT ASHAMED OF MY CHAINS: kai ten halusin mou ouk epaiscunth (3SAPI): (Acts 28:20; Eph 6:20-note in both these XRef's "chain" is singular) He was never ashamed of me because I was in prison. (NLT) He... was not ashamed that I was in prison. (ICB) Not (ouk) is the strongest Greek negative and expresses direct and full negation, independently and absolutely. The point is that Onesiphorus was absolutely not ashamed! 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