Paul’s Epistle to Philemon, - 2015

Paul’s Epistle to Philemon,                           April 18, 2015

 

Little bit of background to the book 

Written from Rome (Paul’s first imprisonment - prison letter) 

Written around 60 AD, about 30 years after the resurrection of our Lord and Creator, Jesus the Messiah. This letter consists of only 445 words and 25 verses in the Bible. 

This epistle was strictly a private letter, but the greetings at the beginning and end imply it was intended for public reading. That is why we have it today. 

Philemon name means Loving.  He was a wealthy person, owner slaves, able to entertain the local Christian congregation in his home.

Onesimus name means useful, profitable.  A runaway slave. 

Paul intercedes for Philemon runaway slave Onesimus, with tact, its tenderness and courtesy.  Onesimus apparently, robbed his master and headed for Rome. Instead of finding refuge in the crowded city, he came in contact with Paul and was converted.  Although Paul would have liked to have kept him as his friend and helper, he insists he return to his wronged master in Colossae. 

But since he left as a pagan, and returned as a Christian, Philemon is asked to receive him as a “brother beloved” (v.16). It can be assumed that Philemon did, indeed, respond to Paul’s appeal, since he would not have circulated a letter he refused to obey. 

This all occurred about the time that Paul received news from Epaphras of the threat to the faith in Colossae, which gave rise to the epistle to the Colossians. 

Paul entrusted  Tychicus with the responsibility to protect Onesimus from arrest by slave catchers on the return journey and delivering the letters to the Laodiceans (Ephesians?) and Colossians, in addition to this letter to Philemon. 

Slavery

Estimates suggest that there were 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire at this time; men and women were traded like merchandise. The average slave sold for 500 denarii. (One denarii was a day’s wage for a common laborer.) Educated and skilled slaves were sold for as much as 50,000 denarii. A master could free a slave, or a slave could buy his freedom if he could raise the money. 

If a slave ran away, the master would register the name and description with the officials and the slave would be on the “wanted” list. The law permitted a master to execute a rebellious slave. While some masters were cruel, many of them were reasonable and humane. A slave was an expensive and useful piece of property and it would cost the owner to lose him. 

Philemon would be facing a dilemma. If he forgave Onesimus, what would the other masters (and slaves) think? If he punished him, how would it affect his testimony? 

Play the audio of the book – it is about 3 and half minutes

 

Paul the Beloved Friend (vv.1-7) 

Paul Greeting  vs. 1 – 3 

Philemon 1:1 NKJV  Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,  

To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, Paul identifies himself not as an apostle, but as a prisoner, 

No record of Paul had never been to Colossae, Philemon was apparently converted during Paul’s three-year ministry at Ephesus. The greetings sent by Timothy serve to remind Philemon that fellow believers are bound together in the bonds of brotherhood; patterned after Christ.  

This same love must be extended to the slave whom Paul calls “a brother beloved” (v.16). Philemon is also Paul’s “fellow-worker,” thus sharing the common task of witnessing to the Gospel by word and deed (vv.5,7) and by consecrating his house to His service (v.2). 

Philemon 1:2 NKJV  to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 

Apphia is apparently Philemon’s wife. As the lady of the house, she had to supervise the duties of the slaves, and her own response would be a crucial factor in influencing her husband.

Archippus may have been Philemon’s son.  

Very important, to a Home Churches

The church was the congregation which would have to recognize Onesimus as a Christian. This would also put pressure on Philemon to heed Paul’s request. If Paul had not included this church in his salutation, they might have gossiped when they saw Onesimus had returned. 

The practice of churches meeting in private homes for worship was common up to a.d. 200. Not until the third century did churches meet in separate buildings. Home churches were frequently mentioned by Paul (Rom 16:5; Col 4:15). 

Rom 16:5 NKJV  Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. 

Col 4:15 NKJV  Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. 

Philemon 1:3 NKJV  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Grace is the unmerited favor of God, and peace is the state of spiritual well-being which flows from the reception of this grace.  Grace remind him of God's mercy to us. 

There is no grace unless God bestows it, and there is no real peace unless it flows from God. 

Thanksgiving 

The Character of Philemon vs. 4 - 7 

Philemon 1:4 NKJV I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 

Thanksgiving and prayers 

Paul does not congratulate Philemon on his conduct as a Christian. Here Paul will introduce themes to be elaborated on in the body of the letter.  

Here Paul says, he mentions Philemon always in my prayers.  Paul, in his private devotions, was in the habit of mentioning churches and individuals by name.   

Philemon 1:5 NKJV hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 

Paul heard about Philemon’s faith and love from others. He is particularly glad that Philemon is so forward in showing love for all saints, because he is about to ask for a further demonstration of it. 

Philemon 1:6 NKJV  that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 

The sharing of his faith may demonstrate what God desires believers to perform. Paul is preparing Philemon for the request, by acting out what God’s grace has first worked in; Philemon will be drawn closer to Christ, and serves to glorify Him. 

Philemon 1:7 NKJV For we have great joy and consolation (encouragement) in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. 

This may include particular ministry in time of crisis, possibly the great earthquake in A.D. 60. The word “brother” at the end makes an effective appeal which he is about to be called on again in the way he receives Onesimus! 

Now Paul starts to be the Intercessor

Intercession of Onesimus  vs. 8 - 21 

Philemon 1:8-9 NKJV  Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,  (9)  yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— 

Love is regarded as the principle which demands respect. Paul reinforces his appeal as “an old man” who is was nearly 60, and prematurely aged by his sufferings.  Paul said he could demand it, but will ask in love.  Paul died about 4 years later. 

Philemon 1:10 NKJV I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 

Having prepared the way, Paul now comes to his request.  His son, begotten while in my chains, 

Philemon 1:11 NKJV  who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 

Onesimus means “profitable.” He apparently rendered only grudging service before his flight. Paul seems to be indulging in some playful humor: the slave that had been unprofitable to him in the past has now become profitable to them both. 

Philemon means “affectionate,” or “one who is kind.” If the slave is to live up to his name, what about his master? 

Receive Him 

Philemon 1:12 NKJV  I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 

This shows the strength of Paul’s affection for his new son in the faith, most intense affection as that of a parent for a child.   Can there be any question on how Philemon will treat what Paul sends him? 

Philemon 1:13 NKJV whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 

Onesimus has demonstrated such a dramatic change that Paul would have loved to retain him. Onesimus’ conversion did not alter his legal position as a slave, nor did it cancel his debt to the law or his master However, it did give him a new standing before God and before God’s people, and Philemon has to take this into consideration. 

Philemon 1:14 NKJV  But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. 

We know Love cannot be compelled, so Paul refuses to intrude on a decision that must be Philemon’s own; his reception of Onesimus must not even seem to be constrained.  

Left for a Season 

Philemon 1:15 NKJV For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 

Very delicate words.  Paul uses a more gentle type of speech, but in reality, he ran away.  Paul suggests God’s purpose in this brief parting was that Philemon might enter into a new relationship with Onesimus which not even death could dissolve.  We can assume that Philemon and his family had witnessed to Onesimus and prayed for him. He had left for Rome as a runaway slave and returned as a brother. 

He uses a more gentle type of speech, but in reality, he ran away.

A Brother Beloved 

Philemon 1:16 NKJV  no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 

Although still a slave, now much more than that. The relationship be- tween master and slave is now on an entirely different plane because both are in Christ. Onesimus was now both Philemon’s slave and his brother. He had a brother for a slave and a slave for a brother. 

Philemon’s Dilemma 

This posed a real dilemma for Philemon: If he was too easy on Onesimus, it might influence other slaves to “become Christians” to influence their masters. If he was too hard on the man, it would affect Philemon’s testimony and ministry at Colossae. 

Philemon 1:17 NKJV If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 

Philemon was to receive Onesimus as Paul himself! To do otherwise is to deny the reality of the bond which makes all believers fellow-members of the body of Christ. 

A partner — in the Christian fellowship of faith, hope, and love. 

“Receive” means “to receive into one’s family circle.” Imagine a slave entering his master’s family! [Imagine a guilty sinner entering God’s family!...Some heavy lessons here!] 

Charge that to my account 

Philemon 1:18 NKJV  But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 

Paul just said,  I am ready to make good the loss to thee if required. 

Isn’t this exactly what Christ has done for us as his believers? My sins were put on His account. He was treated the way I should have been treated.

God’s people are so identified with Christ that He receives us as He receives His own Son. We are “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph 1:6) and clothed in His righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). 

The reality of Galatians becomes evident here in Philemon: “There is neither...slave nor free...in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28). 

Mine Own Hand 

Philemon 1:19 NKJV  I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 

Paul said he wrote the entire Epistle with his own hand, because this was not his usual practice, because he used a shorthand writer.   

Paul seems to take up the pen and sign this IOU and make it legally binding.

(Paul does not, however, really expect to have it taken up! Philemon owes Paul far more. Paul does not expect him to collect the lesser debt. It appears that it was Paul that led Philemon to Christ. Both Philemon and Onesimus have the same spiritual father.) 

Philemon 1:20 NKJV  Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. 

Looking all that Paul has said on behalf of Onesimus, and adds a final personal plea. Since Philemon has refreshed the hearts of the saints with his deeds of love (v.7), he must not neglect this opportunity to refresh Paul’s heart. Only the Lord could enable him to show such grace to the one who had wronged him. 

Philemon 1:21 NKJV Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 

Paul is confident that Philemon will do even more than he says.  Paul does not specify how the love is to be expressed.) 

Paul did not “condemn” slavery, though he had many words for both slaves and masters.  In fact, he encouraged slaves to obtain their freedom if they could. 

Christians are the salt of the earth and light of the world and their influence must be felt in society for the glory of God. 

Conclusion:  Personal Remarks 

Philemon 1:22 NKJV  But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. 

Paul evidently anticipates an early release from prison and solicits a guest room be readied. Paul plans to come and see for himself that Philemon has not disappointed his expectations. 

As a side.  The testimony of Clement (95 a.d.) suggests that he fulfilled this long cherished ambition before he was again arrested and brought back to Rome to suffer death at the hands of Nero (67 a.d?). 

Greetings from others  

Philemon 1:23-24 NKJV  Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,  (24)  as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. 

Five “fellow workers” include their greetings. (It is now 11 years after Mark’s leaving Paul; two years later he tells Timothy to bring Mark with him.) Aristarchus, of Thessalonica, was Paul’s companion on his third missionary tour and Luke, of course, remained with Paul until the end.  

Luke wrote the two background documents to precede Paul’s appeal to Rome, known to us as the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. 

Philemon 1:25 NKJV The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. 

After addressing Philemon in the singular from v.4, Paul reverts to the plural “your” as he prays that Christ’s grace may rest on the entire community who will hear the letter read as they meet for worship (v.2). 

Paul’s word “grace” is the fitting conclusion as his trademark in every epistle. 

Misc items – Now the rest of the story 

Paul wrote:  Col 4:7-9 NKJV  Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.  (8)  I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,  (9)  with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. 

Onesimus is mention here as an Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. 

The Menaia ( 12 books used by the Eastern Orthodox Church for one each month) of 22 November speak of Philemon as a holy apostle who, in company with Apphia, Archippus, and Onesimus had been martyred at Colossae during the first general persecution in the reign of Nero, around 67 A.D.   (this is about 3 years after Paul’s death, 64 A.D. – 7 years after the personal letter to Philemon)

In the list of the Seventy Apostles, attributed to Dorotheus of Tyre, Philemon is described as bishop of Gaza.