An unexpected encouragement was granted the apostle at this time, by the visit of Onesiphorus, an Ephesian Christian who came to Rome not long after Paul’s arrival. He knew that Paul was somewhere in that city as a prisoner, and he determined to find him. This was no easy matter in a city crowded with prisoners, where suspicion was everywhere, and had only to fasten upon an unfortunate victim to consign him to prison and perhaps to death. But notwithstanding the difficulties, Onesiphorus searched for Paul until he found him. Not satisfied with one visit, he went again and again to his dungeon, and did all in his power to lighten the burden of his imprisonment. The fear of scorn, reproach, or persecution, was powerless to terrify this true-hearted Ephesian, when he knew that his beloved teacher was in bonds for the truth’s sake, while he himself, in every respect far less worthy, walked free. {LP 308.2}

Apostlen fik den gang tilstået en uforventet opmuntring, ved Onesiforus besøg, en kristen fra Effesus, som kom til Rom ikke så lang tid efter Paulus ankomst. Han vidste at Paulus var et sted i byen som en fange, og han besluttede sig for at finde ham. Det var ikke nogen let sag, i en by flydt med fanger, hvor der var mistænksomhed over alt, og skulle kun binde det stakkels offer for at overgive ham til fængsel og måske til døden. Men på trods af vanskeligheder søgte Onesiforus efter Paulus, indtil han fandt ham. Uden at være tilfreds med et besøg, gik han igen og igen til sit fangehul, og gjorde alt i sin magt for at lette sin fængselsbyrde. Frygten for hån, foragt eller forfølgelse var ikke nok til at gøre den oprigtig hjertede effeser bange, nårhan viste at hans elskede lærer var i lænker for sandhedens sag, medens han selv, i enhver respekt var langt mindre værd, gik frit omkring.