8. Onesiphorus: He was a friend of Paul at Ephesus, who came to Rome while the apostle Paul was imprisoned there for his faith, and at a time when almost everyone had forsaken him. This is supposed to have occurred during Paul’s last imprisonment, not long before his death. Having found Paul in bonds, after long seeking him, he assisted him to the utmost of his power, and without regard to danger. Paul mentions his house hold on 2-occasions (2:16-18; 4:19b) and implored the highest benedictions on him and his family. It is quite possible that Onesimus would have been dead before the execution of Paul. So Paul remembers and sends his greeting to his household.
9. Erastus: He was the fellow labourer of Paul, a Corinthian. He was the treasurer or steward of Municipal Corporation of the city of Corinth. He accompanied with Timothy in a mission to Macedonia (Acts 19:22). He came back to Corinth and remained there where Paul mentioned about him in (Rom. 16:23; 2 Tim.4:20).
10. Trophimus: He is a disciple of Paul, a Gentile and an Ephesian by birth came to Corinth with apostle Paul in AD 58 (Acts 20:4). Seeing them the Jews cried that Paul had brought Greeks into the temple and thus they polluted the holy place. But in (4:20) we see, Paul writes that he had left Triphimus sick at Miletus.
11. Ebulus and Pudens: Paul during his second and last imprisonment, many people forsook him. There was tremendous pressure from Nero regime and Christians were facing persecution. Apostle Paul was about to face the final trial. During this time, some believers even switched their loyalty at the risk of their lives and helped Paul and proved their adherence to Paul. Among them one such believer was Pudens.
12. Linus and Claudia: Linus was from Italy as the name indicates. He was the first bishop the church at Rome as per the inscription found in Rome. The tradition says that Linus and Claudia seemed to be husband and wife. Not much is written about them.
Paul’s enemies:
- Demas: (4:10a): (Col. 4:14; Phil. 24; 2 Tim. 4:10). Demas was a fellow labourer with Paul (Phil.24). He was from Thessalonica. He went as a visiting missionary to the Lycus valley at one time. He loved the world and left Paul. Paul does not give more details about him. This is a reminder that in the last days, many people’ lives would become spiritually cold. He was once a strong follower of Paul but left Christ went back to Thessalonica his home town.
Ex: In the Piligrim’s progress written by John Bunyan, pictured Demas as the keeper of a silver mine at the Hill Lucre. Perhaps it was the love of money that enticed Demas back into the world. It must have broken Paul’s heart to see Demas fail so shamefully. It can happen to any believer and so we need beware of this world.
2. Alexander the coppersmith: (4:14-15): Paul distinguishes the name of Alexander with his business as coppersmith to avoid confusion as Alexander was a quite a common name. He was the same person who caused confusion and violence in Ephesus (Acts 20:23). Paul delivered him to Satan along with Hymanaeus for blasphemy (1 Tim.1:20). It appears that he came to Rome from Ephesus had caused great injury to the apostle’s character. Although an illiterate and lowly person he took upon Paul and his doctrines. Paul called him a traitor, perhaps he was an informer who betrayed Paul to the Roman government and was responsible for his current imprisonment or perhaps Alexander was a witness against Paul at his first defence. Paul says: “the Lord will reward him according to his works.”
God’s faithfulness in his trials: (4:16-18):
Paul gives a powerful statement that God stood with him in the time of his troubles. Many people have deserted Paul due to the rising persecution.
- When Paul was discouraged in Corinth, the Lord came to him and encouraged him (Acts 18:9-11).
- When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, he again was visited by the Lord and encouraged (Acts 23:11).
- During that terrible storm, when Paul was on board ship, the Lord had again given him strength and courage (Acts 27:22 ff).
- Now here, in that horrible Roman prison, Paul again experienced the strength of the Lord, who had promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5).
Paul was not bitter that all people forsook him, but says that “may it not be held against them” (4:16b). What a great person the apostle Paul was! His friends forsake him, and he prays that God will forgive them. His enemies try him, and he looks for opportunities to tell them how to be saved! What a difference it makes when the Holy Spirit controls your life.
God had delivered Paul earlier from the clutches of Nero (i.e. his first imprisonment at Rome). Now Paul had no doubt about God’s power. Moreover Paul’s concern was not for his own safety. He was more concerned about the preaching of the Word so that Gentiles might be saved. It was Paul’s special calling to minister to the Gentiles and he was not ashamed of the Gospel, even in the great city of Rome (Rom.1:16). Although Paul didn’t know if this time his fate would end up with execution, but he knew that his life is preserved for the Heavenly kingdom. Here Paul once again reflects un-reasonable optimism just as Habakkuk’s rejoice and praise (Hab.3:17,18). On many accounts Paul faced last moments of his life and he was penniless, friendless, possession-less, cold, without adequate clothing and he was destined to death. But never he bartered his heavenly rewards with any of the worldly things. That’s why he was able to say: “To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (4:18b).