2 Timothy 4:19 (KJV)

What does 2 Timothy 4:19 mean?

2 Timothy 4:19 is a personal greeting from Paul, asking Timothy to send his regards to Prisca (also known as Priscilla) and Aquila, as well as to the household of Onesiphorus. Paul is remembering specific friends and fellow believers as he closes his letter.

Paul is writing this letter from prison to Timothy, his younger coworker and friend. Prisca and Aquila were a married couple who often worked alongside Paul, and Onesiphorus was someone who had helped Paul in the past. These greetings show Paul’s personal connections and care for people in the early Christian community.

The Greek behind 2 Timothy 4:19

• "Salute" (ἀσπάσου, aspasou): This Greek word means to greet or send greetings, often with warmth and respect. Paul is not just acknowledging these people but expressing genuine affection and remembrance.
• "Prisca" (Πρίσκαν, Priskan): This is the formal version of the name Priscilla. The use of her formal name may show respect or familiarity in the early church.
• "Household" (οἶκον, oikon): This word means "house" or "household," and here it likely refers to all the members of Onesiphorus’s family or those living with him, not just one person.

Why 2 Timothy 4:19 matters

• This verse highlights the real, personal relationships among early Christians, showing that Paul’s ministry was deeply relational and not just organizational.
• By naming specific people, Paul reminds Timothy—and readers today—that individuals and families mattered in the life of the early church.
• The greeting to the household of Onesiphorus, rather than to Onesiphorus himself, may hint at Onesiphorus’s absence or possible death, which adds a layer of care and remembrance to Paul’s message.