Because Paul speaks of Onesiphorus only in the past tense, wishes blessings upon his house (family), and mercy for him "in that day", some scholars believe that Onesiphorus had at this point died.
Karena Paulus berbicara mengenai Onesiforus hanya dalam bentuk lampau (past tense), menyampaikan berkat atas keluarganya, dan memohon rahmat baginya "pada hari-Nya", beberapa akademisi meyakini bahwa pada saat itu Onesirous telah meninggal dunia.