The book of Philemon:
Paul is still under house arrest when he writes this letter to Philemon and is also addressed to Paul’s church through his acolyte, Timothy:
Paul, a prisoner [for the sake] of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), and our brother Timothy,
To Philemon our dearly beloved friend and fellow worker, and to [your wife] Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier [in ministry], and to the church that meets in your house: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Phm. 1:1-3. AMP
Philemon is a Christian leader in the Colossian church, and he hosts church in his house as well. He was also a slave owner. Paul recognizes his contribution to the church:
I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of your faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints (God’s people). I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective and powerful because of your accurate knowledge of every good thing which is ours in Christ. For I have had great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints (God’s people) have been refreshed through you, my brother. Phm. 1:4-7. AMP
During Paul’s house arrest (60-62 A.D.), he was allowed visitors. One such visitor was a slave of Philemon’s, named Onesimus. There was a dispute between Philemon and Onesimus, (it is not explained). Paul is determined to right the wrong:
Therefore [on the basis of these facts], though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is appropriate, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner [for the sake] of Christ Jesus—
I appeal to you for my [own spiritual] child Onesimus, whom I have fathered [in the faith] while a captive in these chains. Phm. 1:8-10. AMP
So, Paul has converted Onesimus to Christianity. Thus, Paul appeals to Philemon to recognize that change:
Once he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you as well as to me. I have sent him back to you in person, that is, like sending my very heart. I would have chosen to keep him with me, so that he might minister to me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I did not want to do anything without first getting your consent, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. Phm. 1:11-14. AMP
Paul is not using his position in the church to dictate an order. He is compassionately trying to get Philemon to come to the same conclusion by himself. Paul continues:
Perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, so that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but [as someone] more than a slave, as a brother [in Christ], especially dear to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh [as a servant] and in the Lord [as a fellow believer]. Phm. 1:15-16. AMP
The apostle then touches upon the possible dispute between Philemon and Onesimus and Paul offers to right the wrong himself:
So, if you consider me a partner, welcome and accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; I, Paul, write this with my own hand, I will repay it in full (not to mention to you that you [owe to me even your own self as well). Yes, brother, let me have some benefit and joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
I write to you [perfectly] confident of your obedient compliance, since I know that you will do even more than I ask. P 1:17-21. AMP
Paul would end his letter by asking Philemon to prepare a guest room for him when he was released.[1] (This would never happen).
The book of Philemon is the shortest one in the Bible. Yet it portrays the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, Gospel transformation, and freedom from past sins – Christian foundational messages to us all…
Goodnight and God Bless.
[1] Phm. 1:22
Leave a Reply