Unlocking Scripture With Greek Word StudySýnishorn

Refresh: Anapsychō

Is there someone who cheers you up when you’re hurting? Who walks through the door and their presence signals something deep within your soul that everything will be all right? We could say that these individuals refresh us, like a thunderstorm that invigorates the skies, or rainfall that washes away the grime. 

Often, we can experience God’s presence in and among other people. Therefore, when God wants to refresh you with His presence, He sends a person into your life. We see an example of this in 2 Timothy 1:16. 

Paul was in prison again, and this time he wasn’t getting out. Unlike his house arrest in Acts 28:16, the apostle was in the Mamertine Prison in Rome. This was a grueling sentence. Paul knew that, this time, he was finished. Acquittal wasn’t happening. This was the end of his race. 

If things weren’t bad enough, it was extremely dangerous for anyone to give sustenance to a Mamertine prisoner. For this reason, many of Paul’s companions had abandoned him. Yet Onesiphorus was faithful to Paul despite the risk. Paul said Onesiphorus’s presence “refreshed” him. 

The Greek word for here “refreshed” is anepsyxen. It means “revive,” “cool,” and “give relief.” It described a breath of fresh air, like a revitalizing breeze that gusts through the window and purifies the room. It had been a long time since Paul had smelled anything pleasant. The prison’s constant fetid odor had become his norm. Yet, when Onesiphorus visited Paul, it was like a pure, refreshing breeze. 

Sometimes, God doesn’t change the circumstances to help us. Instead, He sends someone into our lives who can bring His refreshing presence and revitalize our joy, endurance, peace, and hope. 

You may be in the darkest situation of your life, a condition where you feel that you cannot endure it on your own, but God has placed those around you who can be a breath of fresh air. Or maybe you aren’t going through a difficult time, but you know someone who is, and God has placed you in their life so you can be that breath of fresh air to them. 

God refreshes us through people. He will either send someone to you or send you to someone else. When you notice this, thank God that He is wafting through the lives of those He loves.