Philemon

Salutation

1:1 From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer,

The Greek word for "Paul" is Παῦλος (Paulos), meaning little. According to Roman Law, Paul was a little man in the Roman Empire who did not deserve to live. His teachings about the Lord Jesus Christ were a threat to the Roman Empire, so they beheaded him. This was a rare judicial decision, since Pail himself was a Roman citizen protected by Roman law. Paul's teachings eventually brought down the Roman Empire.

Paul did not introduce himself as an apostle of Christ, because the recipient of the letter was a personal friend of Paul in Christ. The recipient already was aware of Paul's apostolic position in the Kingdom of God. Instead, Paul introduced himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.

Notice that the Romans did not place Paul in jail. He was imprisoned by Christ Jesus. Rome thought they had captured a criminal, an insurrectionist, and a false teacher. What actually happened was that Rome was only a tool used by God. Rome could have never touched Paul, unless God allowed it. It was the will of God for Paul to be in prison. Paul was going to write some letters that would be inspired by God and read by believers throughout all of history and all over the world.

Christ is the Messiah, the Messianic King predicted in the Old Testament. The name Jesus means "Jehovah is salvation." 

Timothy was a co-worker of Christ who Paul was training for the ministry. He had a pagan father, but a Jewish mother who taught him the Old Testament Scriptures.

This letter was addressed to Philemon, who was a dear friend of Paul. The Greek word for "friend" is ἀγαπητός (agapaytos), meaning a friend who shares agape love, or divine love. They were friends who had experienced the divine love of Christ. Paul most likely never knew that this personal letter would become a part of Scripture.

The Greek word for "colaborer" is συνεργός (sunergos), meaning that they were working together for the cause of Christ.

1:2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house.

Apphia was most likely the wife of Philemon, since they lived in the same house. Philemon is a Greek name, but Apphia is a Phrygian name, suggesting that Philemon traveled east, possibly on business, met his wife there, and then they both met Paul and became believers and fellow-workers in Christ. Evidently, without satellite, internet, television, radio, or telephone, Paul knew many people in the Roman Empire.

Archippus was most likely their son. He was not a Roman soldier, but a soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was drafted into the army of God by predestination and election. According to Ephesians 6, all believers are drafted to do battle in the angelic warfare.

Notice that the church met in their family house. There was no rent to pay, no utilities, and no travel. The church was only large enough to handle the right amount of people without becoming a mega-church that compromises its teaching with the world. All of the donations could be used to support the apostles first, and then the pastor teacher. Most Christians today have too much pride to attend a home church, although this was the method of the early church.

For the first 200 years, the church met in homes. It was a very powerful church. Many of the great ancient monasteries were built not for housing Bible studies, but as a large decoration to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. This money should have been used to support missionaries to take the gospel around the world. Too many churches are spending money on rent, building, and basketball courts, instead of sending out the gospel. Satan wants country club churches. Large country club churches were not the type of churches that the apostles established under the authority given to them by the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

The Greek word for "grace" is χάρις (chars), meaning a gift that is given out of kindness. God is a nice and kind personality that loves to give gifts to His children. Eternal life is a gift. This was the typical Greek greeting in Paul's day.

The Greek word for "peace" is εἰρήνη (eiraynay), which comes from the Hebrew word שָׁלום (shalom), meaning peace with God. Man is a sinner and because of his depraved and evil condition, he can never have peace with God. Therefore, Christ died on the cross for all men, which transferred man's sin to Christ and Christ's righteousness to man. When man believes in this work of Christ, then he is saved and will have peace with God. This was the typical Hebrew greeting. 

Thanks for Philemon’s Love and Faith

1:4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,

According to Paul's other letters, he had a very long prayer list. Philemon and his family were on the list.

1:5 because I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.

The works of Philemon had spread to Paul, even though he was imprisoned in Rome.

1:6 I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.

Philemon shared his faith with others.

1:7 I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Paul was encouraged that one of his converts had such influence for Christ in the local community. 

Paul’s Request for Onesimus

1:8 So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper,

Paul possessed the apostolic authority to command Philemon to do whatever he asked.

1:9 I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love – I, Paul, an old man and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus –

Paul had a request for Philemon. He could have commanded him to do it, but he would rather ask him on the basis of love. Paul was sixty years old at this time, but the persecutions that he suffered made him an old man by this time. He was a prisoner in Rome for sharing the faith. Therefore; he could not come to Philemon in person to make his request. Paul had placed his life on the line in order to bring the news of the one true God not only to Philemon, but to Jews and Gentiles all over the Roman Empire.

1:10 I am appealing to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become during my imprisonment, that is, Onesimus,

Paul was not married, but he had many spiritual sons. Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and now Onesimus had become Paul's spiritual children. Paul had led them all to Christ. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon. During the Roman Empire, 50% of the people were enslaved.

1:11 who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me.

The Greek name Onesimus means "profitable". Paul used the Greek language to make a play on words. Paul was basically saying that “When you had Profitable, you didn’t have Profitable. Now that you don’t have Profitable, you do have Profitable.” Onesimus was not interested in being a slave, so since his heart was not in it, he was not profitable to Philemon. However, Onesimus was very profitable to Paul.

1:12 I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you.

Paul was sick, old, cold, and in prison. He needed Onesimus to care for him while he was in this condition of suffering.

1:13 I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.

Paul wanted to keep Onesimus with him in prison for the sake of the gospel. Onesimus was a great servant to Paul and also to Christ.

1:14 However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.

Paul wanted to keep Onesimus, but he knew that this would not be right. Philemon loved Paul. Paul was his spiritual father. He most likely sent Onesimus back to Rome with a bunch of suppies for Paul. However; Scripture is silent on this issue. We will have to wait until we get into heaven to ask Philemon what happened. 

1:15 For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally,

Paul saw God's sovereignty in this matter.

1:16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

Onesimus had been promoted from slave on earth to a co-reigner with Christ in the New Jerusalem. Onesimus was still a slave according to Roman law, but he was now a brother-in-Christ to Philemon.

1:17 Therefore; if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me.

Paul always received the best guest room. He asked the same for Onesimus. 

1:18 Now if he has defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what he owes to me.

This is a picture of the Doctrine of Imputation. If Onesimus had done anything wrong, then Paul would pay for it. If the believer in Christ has done anything wrong, Christ has already paid for these sins in advance.

1:19 I, Paul, have written this letter with my own hand: I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self.

How could Philemon ever repay Paul?

1:20 Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Paul pleads for Onesimus.

1:21 Since I was confident that you would obey, I wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more than what I am asking you to do.

True believers will do more than what is requested.

1:22 At the same time also, prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.

This letter was most likely written during Paul's first imprisonment. If so, then this prayer was most likely answered.

Concluding Greetings

1:23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you.

Epaphras possibly was the pastor of Colossae, meaning that Philemon was a member of the Colossian church.

1:24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my colaborers, greet you too.

Paul listed these five as members of the Colossian church in Colossian 4:10-14.

1:25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Paul ended with his typical benediction. If all slave owners would have followed Paul's advice, then slavery would have ended in the Roman Empire.