Hermogenes

Hermogenes is named once in scripture, in Paul's second letter to Timothy, as one of two men singled out from a wider group of Asian believers who had turned away from the apostle. The notice gives only his name and his association with that turning.

One Who Turned Away in Asia

The mention falls in Paul's account of his own circumstances toward the close of the letter: "This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes" (2Ti 1:15). The verse opens with a sweeping statement — all in Asia turned away — and then narrows to two named figures, Phygelus and Hermogenes, as representatives of that movement. The verses immediately following draw a contrast with Onesiphorus, of whose house Paul writes that "he often refreshed me, and wasn't ashamed of my chain; but, when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me" (2Ti 1:16-17). Hermogenes' name stands on the opposite side of that pair: among those who turned away, not among those who sought Paul out.