It is amazing the contrast you find between Christians. Some, like Phygellus and Hermogenes claim to be friends and spiritual brothers, yet they disappoint you when you need them. Despite all of their rhetoric about their belief in God and Christian principles, they are not there when you need them.
Then there are others like Onesiphorus. He was a person who didn’t talk about his concern for Paul, he acted. He didn’t claim to be Paul’s friend, he acted like a friend. In fact, because Paul was consigned to a prison somewhere in Rome, it was difficult to locate him. Yet Onesiphorus did not become discouraged. He did not make a superficial inquiry and then return to his own business. He looked “very zealously” until he located the imprisoned apostle. Once he found the saintly captive, Onesiphorus did everything he could to bring comfort and encouragement to Paul. Though associating with the captive might have drawn criticism or even charges against him, Onesiphorus stood loyally by his friend.
It is wonderful to have friends like Onesiphorus. They can make even the harshest trials seem bearable. But what kind of friend are you? Have you stood loyally by those who needed you? Do you make the extra effort to be with friends in need? Are there people who are grateful to God that you are their friend?