2 Timothy 4:19

KJV

Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

KJV (with Strong's)

Salute {G782} Prisca {G4251} and {G2532} Aquila {G207}, and {G2532} the household {G3624} of Onesiphorus {G3683}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

Berean Standard Bible

Greet Prisca and Aquila, as well as the household of Onesiphorus.

American Standard Version

Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In this brief but profound valediction, the Apostle Paul, nearing the end of his life and ministry, extends personal greetings to two pivotal figures in the early Christian community: Prisca and Aquila, and to the household of Onesiphorus. This verse, nestled within Paul's final epistle to Timothy, underscores the deep relational bonds, enduring partnerships in ministry, and the vital importance of Christian fellowship that characterized the burgeoning church, even as Paul faced imminent martyrdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears in the concluding section of Paul's Second Letter to Timothy, often considered his final written communication. The preceding verses detail Paul's poignant reflections on his impending death, his confidence in his finished race, and his charge to Timothy to continue faithful ministry ([2 Timothy 4:6-8](/2_timothy/4-6-8 "Paul's Farewell Charge")). Following this, Paul issues specific instructions regarding his travel, requests for personal items, and warnings about certain individuals ([2 Timothy 4:9-15](/2_timothy/4-9-15 "Paul's Instructions and Warnings")). The greetings in [2 Timothy 4:19-21](/2_timothy/4-19-21 "Paul's Final Greetings and Benediction") serve as a tender, personal coda, demonstrating that even in the face of death, Paul's heart remained deeply connected to his fellow laborers and the wider Christian family. These salutations are not mere formalities but expressions of profound affection and recognition of shared gospel work.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's letters frequently conclude with personal greetings, reflecting the highly relational nature of early Christian communities. Travel was arduous, and communication often relied on trusted messengers, making these personal notes significant. Prisca and Aquila were Jewish Christians who, like many Jews, had been expelled from Rome by Emperor Claudius's edict around AD 49 ([Acts 18:2](/acts/18-2 "Acts 18:2 - Aquila and Priscilla Meet Paul")). Their subsequent travels and tentmaking trade facilitated their encounters with Paul and their establishment of house churches in various cities. The mention of "household" (Greek *oikos*) signifies not just a physical dwelling but the extended family unit, including servants and dependents, which was the fundamental social and economic unit in the Greco-Roman world. This highlights the communal nature of early Christian faith, where conversion often encompassed the entire household, and homes served as crucial centers for worship and fellowship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Timothy and Paul's broader theology. It exemplifies the theme of **Christian Fellowship and Community**, demonstrating the deep bonds of affection and partnership that transcend geographical distance and personal hardship. It reinforces the theme of **Loyalty and Perseverance in Ministry**, as both Prisca and Aquila, and Onesiphorus, are commended for their steadfast service and support to Paul and the gospel. The consistent mention of Prisca and Aquila throughout the New Testament, often with Prisca named first, also subtly highlights the **Significant Role of Women in Early Church Leadership and Ministry**, a theme seen elsewhere in Paul's writings, such as his commendation of Phoebe in [Romans 16:1-2](/romans/16-1-2 "Romans 16:1-2 - Phoebe, a Servant of the Church"). Finally, the greetings underscore the **Sacrifice and Support** required for gospel work, acknowledging that the commitment of individuals like Onesiphorus often involved the entire family unit.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Salute (Greek, _aspázomai'_):** This verb, G782, means "to enfold in the arms," and by implication, "to salute" or "to welcome." It conveys a sense of warm, personal greeting, embracing, and expressing affection. In the context of Paul's final letter, it's more than a mere formality; it signifies a deep, heartfelt connection and respect for his co-laborers, reflecting the genuine love and camaraderie that bound the early Christian community.
* **Prisca (Greek, _Príska'_):** G4251, a Latin name meaning "ancient" or "venerable." Prisca, often called Priscilla, is consistently mentioned alongside her husband Aquila. Her frequent precedence in naming (as here and in [Acts 18:18](/acts/18-18 "Acts 18:18 - Paul Sails for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila") and [Romans 16:3](/romans/16-3 "Paul's Greetings to Prisca and Aquila")) suggests her prominent role and perhaps even her greater theological or teaching influence within their ministry partnership, as seen in their instruction of Apollos ([Acts 18:26](/acts/18-26 "Acts 18:26 - Priscilla and Aquila Teach Apollos")).
* **household (Greek, _oîkos'_):** G3624, meaning "a dwelling" or, by implication, "a family." This term is crucial here because Paul greets the "household of Onesiphorus" rather than Onesiphorus himself. This often leads to speculation that Onesiphorus may have been deceased or absent, but it definitively highlights the corporate nature of faith and service in the early church. The family unit was often the locus of Christian life, hospitality, and ministry, and Paul's greeting acknowledges the collective contribution and perhaps the ongoing support provided by Onesiphorus's family in his absence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Salute Prisca and Aquila,"**: This phrase conveys Paul's warm, personal greeting to a couple he held in high esteem. Prisca and Aquila were faithful Jewish Christian tentmakers who were instrumental in Paul's ministry, hosting house churches ([Romans 16:5](/romans/16-5 "Romans 16:5 - The Church in Their House")) and even risking their lives for him ([Romans 16:4](/romans/16-4 "Romans 16:4 - Prisca and Aquila Risk Their Lives")). Their inclusion here signifies their enduring partnership and Paul's deep affection for them, acknowledging their continued vital role in the spread of the gospel, even as Paul faced imprisonment and death.
* **"and the household of Onesiphorus."**: Paul extends his greetings not directly to Onesiphorus, but to his "household." This implies a recognition of the collective support and sacrifice made by Onesiphorus's entire family. Onesiphorus himself is highly commended earlier in the letter for his unwavering loyalty and courage in refreshing Paul during his imprisonment ([2 Timothy 1:16-18](/2_timothy/1-16-18 "2 Timothy 1:16-18 - Paul's Praise for Onesiphorus")). By greeting his household, Paul acknowledges that the burdens and blessings of ministry often extend beyond the individual, encompassing their entire family unit who share in their commitment and service.

#### Literary Devices
The brevity of [2 Timothy 4:19](/2_timothy/4-19 "2 Timothy 4:19 - Paul's Final Greetings") itself functions as a literary device, employing **Conciseness** to deliver a powerful message of personal connection amidst Paul's urgent final instructions. The verse also utilizes **Apostolic Greeting**, a common epistolary convention in Paul's letters, but here imbued with particular pathos due to the letter's valedictory nature. The phrase "the household of Onesiphorus" employs **Synecdoche**, where the "household" (a part) stands in for the family members (the whole), emphasizing the corporate identity and shared commitment of Onesiphorus's family to the Christian faith and his ministry. This choice of wording also hints at a possible **Ellipsis** or unstated circumstance regarding Onesiphorus himself (e.g., his absence or death), leaving the reader to infer the reason for greeting the household specifically.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple greeting carries profound theological weight, highlighting the intrinsic value of Christian community and the interconnectedness of believers in the work of the gospel. It underscores that ministry is not a solitary endeavor but a communal one, sustained by mutual love, support, and partnership. Paul's final salutations remind us that the church, at its core, is a family bound by Christ, where every member's contribution, whether in direct service or in supporting those who serve, is deeply valued and remembered by God and His people. It speaks to the enduring legacy of faithfulness and the importance of recognizing and honoring those who have poured out their lives for the Kingdom.

* [Romans 16:3-5](/romans/16-3-5 "Romans 16:3-5 - Paul's Commendation of Prisca and Aquila and the Church in Their House")
* [1 Corinthians 16:19](/1_corinthians/16-19 "1 Corinthians 16:19 - Greetings from the Churches of Asia and Aquila and Prisca")
* [Hebrews 6:10](/hebrews/6-10 "Hebrews 6:10 - God Will Not Forget Your Work and Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[2 Timothy 4:19](/2_timothy/4-19 "2 Timothy 4:19 - Paul's Final Greetings") offers a powerful reminder that even in the most challenging and solitary moments of ministry, the bonds of Christian fellowship remain vital. Paul, facing the end of his life, takes the time to acknowledge and honor those who have faithfully served alongside him or supported his mission. This teaches us the profound importance of intentionally cultivating and cherishing relationships within the body of Christ. It calls us to be people who remember, appreciate, and actively encourage those who serve, recognizing that their dedication often involves the sacrifices of their entire families. In a world that often prioritizes individual achievement, this verse reorients us toward the communal, interdependent nature of the Christian journey, urging us to be sources of refreshment and support for one another, just as Onesiphorus was to Paul.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Who are the "Priscas and Aquilas" in your life—those faithful partners in ministry whom you should intentionally honor and acknowledge?**
* **How can you practically support and encourage the "households" of those who serve in ministry, recognizing their collective contribution and sacrifices?**
* **In what ways can you foster deeper, more authentic relational bonds within your own Christian community, reflecting the warmth of Paul's greetings?**

### FAQ
**Why does Paul greet "the household of Onesiphorus" instead of Onesiphorus directly?**

Answer: While the New Testament does not explicitly state the reason, the most common interpretation among scholars is that Onesiphorus may have been deceased at the time Paul wrote this letter. Paul's earlier commendation of Onesiphorus in [2 Timothy 1:16-18](/2_timothy/1-16-18 "2 Timothy 1:16-16 - Paul Praises Onesiphorus") speaks of the Lord showing mercy to his household, and a prayer for Onesiphorus "on that Day," which some interpret as a prayer for the deceased in the resurrection. If Onesiphorus was indeed dead, greeting his "household" would be a tender and appropriate way to acknowledge his legacy and extend comfort and recognition to his surviving family members who shared in his commitment and likely continued to support the Christian community. Alternatively, Onesiphorus might have been absent or traveling, making a direct greeting impossible, but Paul still wished to honor his family. Regardless, it highlights the importance of the family unit in early Christian life and Paul's deep appreciation for the collective support offered by believers' families.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Though a simple greeting, [2 Timothy 4:19](/2_timothy/4-19 "2 Timothy 4:19 - Paul's Final Greetings") profoundly reflects the Christ-centered nature of Christian community and ministry. The love and mutual support expressed between Paul and his co-laborers are a direct outflow of the love of Christ, who himself established a community of disciples and called them to love one another as He loved them ([John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment")). The partnerships in ministry, exemplified by Prisca and Aquila, foreshadow the unified body of Christ, where diverse members work together for the common good and the advancement of the gospel, each fulfilling their unique role empowered by the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")). The acknowledgment of Onesiphorus's household speaks to Christ's compassion for families and His valuing of every act of service and hospitality offered in His name, reminding us that "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Whatever You Did for the Least of These")). Ultimately, these personal greetings are a testament to the new humanity forged in Christ, a community bound by an eternal covenant, reflecting the very heart of God who dwells in fellowship and calls His people into it.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 18:2

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

1 Corinthians 16:19

¶ The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Romans 16:3

Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

Romans 16:4

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

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 1:18

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.

Acts 18:26

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto [them], and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.