Onesiphorus, a Friend of Paul, and Porphyrius, his Companion, in the Year 70

Onesiphorus was an Asian, a citizen of Ephesus, in Asia Minor, and very virtuous and godly in life, so that he often came to visit, talk with, and comfort the apostle Paul in his chains at Rome. For this Paul rejoiced with all his heart, and prayed to God to reward him for this kindness in the great day of recompense. Paul writes about this to Timothy in these words. "The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day; and in how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, you know very well" (Second Timothy 1, verses 16 to 18). At the close of the same letter he affectionately greets the household of Onesiphorus, saying, "Greet . . . . and the household of Onesiphorus . . . Grace be with you. Amen" (Second Timothy 4, verses 19 and 22).

Some writers say this pious man was bishop of (the church of) Colophon; others, of Coronia. But whether Colophon and Coronia at that time were not one and the same city, called by two different names, or, if they were two separate cities, whether he had oversight of both churches at once, is of little consequence. It is enough for us that the historians agree that he and Porphyrius, his fellow servant of Jesus Christ, were first beaten with many severe stripes at Hellespontus, by order of Adrianus the governor, and afterward, both together, tied to wild horses, and so dragged or torn to death, by virtue of Nero's bloody edict. A. Mellin., 1st Book van de historien der vervolgingen en Martelaren, printed in 1619, folio 18, column 2, from Doroth., in Synopsi Mart. Rom., September 6. [n114-1]