2 Timothy 1:18

(the Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day); and in how many things he ministered at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

The parenthesis here is alleged by some to be an authentic New Testament example of prayers offered for the dead, but there is no proof at all that Onesiphorus was dead; and, even if he was, the expression of this fervent hope on Paul's part cannot be called a prayer, except in the most accommodative sense. It is not in the form of a prayer, qualifying rather as a prayerful hope, and not as a petition in the form of a specific request. Carl Spain wisely observed that, "If Onesiphorus was awaiting trial, Paul avoids language that might be used against him."[23] Before any proposition that justifies prayers for the dead could be supported by this passage, it would have to be proved that Onesiphorus was dead, and Paul's omission of his name in 2 Timothy 1:16 simply does not constitute any such proof. As DeWelt noted:

Where was Onesiphorus when this letter was written? If he was in Rome, and Paul was writing from Rome to Ephesus, how could Paul (in a letter addressed to Timothy in Ephesus) greet someone who wasn't there? Does this prove he was dead? How ridiculous![24]

Lenski affirmed that "The analogy of Scriptures is solidly against anything in the nature of prayers for the dead,"[25] a fact no student of the word may deny. A further word on this from Hendriksen will suffice:

Paul at times expresses the wish that eschatological blessings be granted to those who, while the apostle is writing, are still living on earth (1 Thessalonians 5:23b); (and therefore) the conclusion that Onesiphorus had actually died is not necessary.[26]

It is best, therefore, to view this rather difficult passage, not as any kind of prayer on behalf of the dead; but, as Gealy suggested, "It may be that we should see in the prayer - it is not in the form of direct address - merely a gracious fervent wish or expression of hope."[27]

[23] Carl Spain, op. cit., p. 123.

[24] Don DeWelt, Paul's Letters to Timothy and Titus (Joplin, Missouri: College Press, 1961).

[25] R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 776.

[26] William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 240.

[27] Fred D. Gealy, op. cit., p. 477.