Article Library

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By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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Faithful Messengers Refresh the Soul of Their Masters

“You may be employed somewhere. You serve another individual. He or she may own the company and you’re there for a period of time and then you’re gone. What a wonderful testimony to have it said of you that you brought refreshment to the company. That your presence was appropriate and encouraging and that is the way it was with Onesiphorus.”

Cultivate Vulnerable Relationships

“I urge you to cultivate relationships with those around you so that they will know you are terrycloth. They will know that you are vulnerable. You have needs and you are teachable and available. I think it says a lot for Paul that he was willing to say what he said and to do what he did when Onesiphorus showed up rather than, ‘Oh no, everything’s fine, doing great.’”

We All Need an Onesiphorus

“Some of you are greatly gifted. You’re capable. You even struggle with the thought of staying in school because you’ve been given opportunity for further ministry. You don’t quit till you get your studies done. Finish your course and then you’ve got a lifetime of ministry ahead of you, but you’re gifted. You’re capable. You’ll soon be in demand, but adversity will come, and it will crush you. And when it does, not if but when, you will long for an Onesiphorus to show up.”

The Person of Refreshment

“‘He often refreshed me.’ Now the word. The original term comes from the root word that means ‘to cool.’ Sometime was used for blowing on a wound, as you will often do with one of your children when they’ve cut themselves, to cool the sting. This word has come to mean to provide relief from trouble. He often provided relief for me. Another definition, ‘to give someone breathing space,’ to revive, to refresh. It appears only one other time in the New Testament, Acts 3:19, referring to times of refreshing, refreshing, cooling. Onesiphorus, otherwise unknown, mentioned only in the last chapter of this book, as he refers again to the household of Onesiphorus, causing some to believe that he’s now dead. I won’t get into that. The point is the memory of him is very much alive. And Paul can call to mind those occasions when he came to him and refreshed him. And don’t overlook the term ‘often.’”

Criticism or the Faithful Wounds of a Friend?

“Think before you put your critical comment into writing and certainly don’t do it through an email. Do it face to face if you have something to say. Because not all criticism is wire mesh. Some of it is essential. ‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy,’ Proverbs 27:6.’”

Additional Resources

First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.

Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.

Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your finger tips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.

Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.

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