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 Lord, when called to pass out of time into eternity, and to appear before the judgment seat of Christ.

18. grant unto him—as well as "unto his house" (2Ti 1:16).

the Lord—who rewards a kindness done to His disciples as if done to Himself (Mt 25:45).

of—from the Lord; "the Lord" is emphatically put instead of "from Himself," for solemnity and emphasis (2Th 3:5).

in how many things—"how many acts of ministry he rendered."

unto me—omitted in the oldest manuscripts, so that the "ministered" may include services rendered to others as well as to Paul.

very well—rather as Greek, "Thou knowest better" (than I can tell thee, seeing that thou art more of a regular resident at Ephesus).