Going the extra depth on standing strong against the tidal waves of ministry, we take in sequence two cases starting with our text scripture.

This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. 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. 2 Timothy 1:15-18

I was stunned by a comment made by Paul in his letter to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:15-18. Who were these two men?

*We need to best appreciate the context in which Phygellus and Hermogenes names are brought to Timothy’s attention here as a warning as to what can happen to discouraged Saints. In short, they fall short of having God’s best. Paul had written in Philippians 3:17 ‘Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample’. Timothy was with Paul at Rome when Paul wrote this about six years earlier. Timothy would know here six years after in 2 Timothy 1:15 that Phygellus and Hermogenes who were then with Paul were no longer followers of the Apostle Paul!  

Phygellus and Hermogenes as we shall see later were not the last to abandon Paul during the church age! The essence of this reference case is to serve as a warning to us of the importance for us to follow the leading of the Holy Ghost, our guide into all of the truth. All of the truth includes Paul’s gospel, which was given to fill up (fulfill) the word of God.

Please read here what Brother Copley wrote in his commentary of these two Phygellus and Hermogenes. “By the phrase, “all they which are in Asia,” the apostle did not mean literally every believer on Jesus, but the Gospel workers. He names two of them, because they were prominent. The meanings of their names express their character and conduct. Phygellus means “a little fugitive.” He backslid from God; and, hence, from Brother Paul. To know Paul’s Gospel and turn from it, no matter for what reason, is to turn away from the Lord. Hermogenes signifies “lucky born.” He was so fortunate in the natural that he did not need the Lord. He was well to do, had a good education, knew no sorrow, nor trouble, was highly esteemed among men, and always fared fine. Therefore, he could not appreciate salvation, especially Paul’s narrow way of dependence upon God. Satan soon had these two fellows meet and scamper off together. Phygellus led the way – note he is named first; and Hermogenes footed the bills. Fugitive counts himself lucky, and Lucky gladly becomes a fugitive – any way to get out of sight of Paul or the Gospel of grace.” {End of quoting Brother Copley’} — *Living Waters Tabernacle

Hermogenes and Phygellus who left Paul during his second imprisonment in Rome demonstrated how adversity misunderstood will lead some astray making them prey to false teachers (Gal. 5:6; 2 Tim. 3:6). From the context of 2 Timothy 1:13-2 Timothy 2:1-14 it may be assumed that the apostasy included the repudiation of Paul’s doctrine. Note particularly 2 Timothy 1:13 and the comparative false teaching implicit in 2 Timothy 2:1-14, that suffering and endurance for the cause of Christ is incompatible with prevalent view of Christianity! Do not fall prey to false doctrine and false teachers portraying the gospel we preach as trouble and suffering free! (1 Pet. 2:19-24). Selah

Pastor Afolabi Oladele