2 Timothy 1 · Verse 17

2 Timothy 1:17

But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

2 Timothy 1:17, King James Version

2 Timothy 1:17 in other translations

BSB	Indeed, when he arrived in Rome, he searched diligently until he found me.
WEB	but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently and found me
ASV	but, when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me
YLT	but being in Rome, very diligently he sought me, and found;
DARBY	but being in Rome sought me out very diligently, and found me —
BBE	But when he was in Rome, he went in search of me everywhere, and came to me
Webster	But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

What does 2 Timothy 1:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

17. found me--in the crowded metropolis. So in turn "may he find mercy of the Lord in that day" when the whole universe shall be assembled.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 17. But when he was in Rome. What was the employment of Onesiphorus is not known. It may have been that he was a merchant, and had occasion to visit Rome on business. At all events, he was at pains to search out the apostle, and his attention was the more valuable because it cost him trouble to find him. It is not every one, even among professors of religion, who, in a great and splendid city, would be at the trouble to search out a Christian brother, or even a minister, who was a prisoner, and endeavour to relieve his sorrows. This man, so kind to the great apostle, will be among those to whom the Saviour will say, at the final judgment, "I was in prison, and ye came unto me," Mt 25:36.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 17 When he was in Rome - Onesiphorus was no doubt an Asiatic, (probably an Ephesian, see below), who had frequent business at Rome; and when he came sought out the apostle, who, it is supposed, had been confined in some close and private prison, (see the preface), so that it was with great difficulty he could find him out. This man had entertained the apostle when he was at Ephesus, and now he sought him out at Rome. Pure love feels no loads. Here was a true friend, one that sticketh closer than a brother.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:15-18

The apostle mentions the constancy of Onesiphorus; he oft refreshed him with his letters, and counsels, and comforts, and was not ashamed of him. A good man will seek to do good. The day of death and judgment is an awful day. And if we would have mercy then, we must seek for it now of the Lord. The best we can ask, for ourselves or our friends, is, that the Lord will grant that we and they may find mercy of the…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 1:15-18 →

2 Timothy 1:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἀλλὰallaButG235

γενόμενοςgenomenoshaving arrivedG1096

ἐνeninG1722

ῬώμῃRhōmēRomeG4516

σπουδαίωςspoudaiōsearnestlyG4709

ἐζήτησένezētēsenhe sought outG2212

μεmemeG3165

καὶkaiandG2532

εὗρεν·heurenfound [me];G2147

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ac 28:30,31

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Timothy 1:16
The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
2 Timothy 1:17
But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
2 Timothy 1:18
The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

Read all of 2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1:17 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Antes, estando él en Roma, me buscó solícitamente, y me halló.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	mais, quand il a été à Rome, il m’a cherché très soigneusement et il m’a trouvé.
German Elberfelder 1871	sondern als er in Rom war, suchte er mich fleißig auf und fand mich.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	sed cum Romam venisset, sollicite me quæsivit, et invenit.