Question: Does the Greek text of 2 Tim. 1:16-18 imply that Onesiphorus had already been dead by the time of writing these words?:

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> 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.
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Answer: 
The key of this text is the phrase **that day**, which occurs in the following three verses:

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> [**2 Tim 1:16-18**](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%201%3A12&version=NASB;SBLGNT) (NASB)  
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> 16 The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; 17 but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— 18the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on **that day**—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.
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> [**2 Tim 4:8**](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%204%3A8&version=NASB;SBLGNT) (NASB)  
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> 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on **that day**; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
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> [**2 Tim 1:12**](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%201%3A12&version=NASB;SBLGNT) (NASB)  
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> 12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until **that day**.
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If the author of the epistle refers to himself as receiving his reward of due compensation on **that day**, and the author was alive when he wrote these words, then why should we assume that Onesiphorus was necessarily already dead just because he too was supposed to receive his reward of due compensation on **that day**?
I think the question misses the point. It seems logical that Paul prays for mercy for Onesiphorus not because he was already dead, but because he too had turned away and abandoned Paul like the others. Rather Paul, not wanting O. to fall under God's judgment for this act, prays that God will have mercy on him and remember his many kindnesses on Paul's behalf.