PHILEMON

W. J. Franklin

INTRODUCTION

The letter of Philemon is a personal letter. It serves as a splendid example of Christian courtesy.

Paul's object in writing this letter to his friend, Philemon, seems to have been twofold. First, to intercede for the runaway slave, Onesimus, and second, to ask Philemon to prepare a lodging for Paul himself.

Philemon was a generous-hearted man whose home was the gathering center for the local church--V. 2. He was a source of refreshing to the saints--V. 7.

In the letter, Paul implied that he expected him to free the lately converted slave, Onesimus--V. 21. Paul felt free to ask these favours because that under God, Philemon owed his salvation to Paul--V. 19.

Onesimus was, evidently, a runaway slave who had wronged his master in some way--Vs. 11,18. He was of the city of Colosse, and the letter to the Colossians and this brief epistle seem to have been written at the same time. See Col. 4:7-9.

OUTLINE

1. Salutations--Vs. 1-3


2. Thanksgiving--Vs. 4-7.


3. Entreaty for Onesimus--Vs. 8-21.


4. Conclusion--Vs. 22-25.

SALUTATIONS

"Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer"--V. 1. Verses 1,9,10,13,23 all indicate that Paul wrote this epistle from his prison in Rome. So this is one of the prison epistles. Paul's closest earthly friend, Timothy, was associated with him in writing the letter.

The principal character addressed, Philemon, whose name means, affectionate, was a fellow-labourer. Whether he had an official place in the assembly or not is not stated.

"And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"--Vs. 2,3. Tradition holds that Apphia was the wife of Philemon. However, there is no internal evidence to confirm this.

"Archippus" whose name means, master of the horse or horse chief, was Paul's fellow-soldier, and a minister of the Gospel--Col. 4:17. He may have been pastor of the assembly in Colosse. The "Church in thy house" indicates that, as in most places, the church met in local places or homes of some of its members. Paul's usual benediction of grace is found in these verses.

THANKSGIVING

"I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints"--Vs. 4,5. Paul's prayer list was long. As he mentioned some to God in prayer, he was thankful. As he prayed for others, they brought tears to his eyes. Philemon and his associates were some for whom he could pray with thanksgiving. Philemon's great faith and love were items of exceeding joy to the apostle.

"That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother."--Vs. 6,7. The word "Communication" means, fellowship. Paul prayed that the fellowship of his faith might become effectual or operative. "By acknowledging" is, a full knowledge in the Greek language and we can render the verse further by this, "Of every good thing in us for Christ."

Paul was overjoyed and the saints refreshed by Philemon. He must have been a beloved brother.

"Bowels" have reference to the affections of the heart or of the tender affections.

"Refreshed" is, to cause to rest, soothe or refresh. Certainly it is a blessing to be associated with such a person. He was a sweet savor of Christ.

ENTREATY FOR ONESIMUS

"Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ"--Vs. 8,9. Paul had authority from the Lord to command or enjoin. Yet because of his love for Philemon, he used entreaties instead. His feelings for his friends were very deep.

"Paul the aged" is rendered by not a few as in the R. V. margin, Paul an ambassador." At the time of this writing, we do not feel that Paul was more than sixty at the outside, hence being far from being aged. We would prefer to go along with the Amplified Version and others, that he was Paul the Ambassador, which is in keeping with his letters elsewhere, as well as being in keeping with facts. Also, in this entreaty, he was a Prisoner of Jesus Christ, which fact would add to his weighty letter.

"I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds"--V. 10. "My son Onesimus" indicates that Paul had led the man to Christ and was his father in the Gospel. The proper name, "Onesimus," means, useful or profitable. One gives its meaning as "helpful."

Note Paul's use of the words, "I beseech thee" in both verses 9 and 10.

"Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me"--V. 11. "Unprofitable" means, useless, detrimental, causing loss. "Profitable" means, highly useful, very profitable. Paul seems to make a play on the name of Onesimus, one meaning of which is, profitable. The word "Joy" in V. 20 is a similar word in meaning. It means, to receive profit, which seems again to be a play on words.

"Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels"--V. 12. Paul recognized his duty to two fellow believers. Onesimus should have and did go back to his owner. "My own bowels" is rendered by the R. V. as "My very heart." This is probably Paul's full meaning. Parents of the time and day in which this was written used this term in speaking of their children.

"Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the Gospel"--V. 13. Paul needed devoted men with him to make trips to the churches, to carry epistles, and messages, and to minister to him personally, as he was unable to minister to himself while in prison. However, as much as he needed Onesimus, he realized that he was duty-bound to return him to his master.

"But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly"--V. 14. "Without thy mind would I do nothing." Onesimus was the property of Philemon. Paul would not try to retain the slave without the permission of the owner.

If Paul had kept Onesimus in his service and requested Philemon to leave him with him in Rome, we do not doubt that his request would have been approved and granted. But by sending him back, whatever Philemon did, it would be from grace and not from restraint.

to be continued

Upward Calling