Philemon
© Copyright 2001 Darroll Evans-all rights
reserved.
Philemon 1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus
Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
In the letter to Philemon, Paul undertakes
the restoration of a person who was a thief and runaway slave to his legal
owner.
Slavery is abhorrent to modern humans, but in
Paul’s day slavery was accepted.
Under the law of that day, a runaway slave
was subject to death if the owner so requested.
When Paul wrote this letter and had Onesimus,
the slave, return to Philemon and take the letter,
there was no assurance that Philemon would accept him back without penalty.
Philemon 2 And to
our beloved Apphia, and Archippus
our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
This short letter is also addressed to Apphia, Archippus, and to the
Church that met in Philemon's house.
It is assumed by some that Apphia was Philemon's wife, and Archippus
his son.
No canonized source confirms that.
Philemon was a leader in the
Archippus may have been the Pastor of the Church at Colosse.
According to the letter to the Colossians,
the
There may have been two house Churches in Colosse.
They may have met in Philemon's home and Nymphas' home.
According to Romans 16:5
and 1st Corinthians 16:19, the Roman Church met in the home of Prescilla and Aquilla.
During the first century, house Churches were
normal.
Archippus is counted as a "fellowsoldier"
(Gr. sustratiootee-sustratiwth),
a co-campaigner, or associate in Paul's work.
That Archippus was
a fellow minister seems to be validated in Colossians 4:17.
Apphia joins Priscilla, Phebe, and
Philemon 3 Grace to you, and peace, from
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul uses his normal salutation, "Grace
(Gr. charis-cariV) and peace
(Gr. eireenee-eirhnh) to you
from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Let's discuss Grace. What is it?
According to the standard definition grace is
God's unmerited favor.
Grace is getting something we do not deserve.
Grace is far more than favor. It is God's
power to save.
It is by grace that we are saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God. (Ephesians 2:8)
Grace is an invaluable gift from God.
The English word "grace" appears
only 4 times in the synoptic gospels.
In the four Gospels it is never used in a
sentence spoken by Jesus Himself.
The English word "Grace" is used
once in Luke and 3 times in John all used to describe Jesus.
The Greek word that is often translated
"grace" is used 8 times in Luke and 4 times is the Gospel of John.
The word grace (Greek or English) is not
found in Matthew or Mark.
Paul used "grace" approximately 100
times.
The only time the KJV translators use the
English word "grace," as spoken by Jesus, is found in 2 Corinthians
12:9.
Speaking to Paul, Christ said, "My
'grace' is sufficient for thee."
Next in Paul's opening, we come to peace.
God's peace is not just an absence of open
conflict.
God's peace is true serenity.
God's peace is calm in the midst of conflict,
and calm in the eye of the life's hurricanes.
Grace and peace walk hand in hand throughout
Paul's writings.
True peace is available only through the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Philemon 4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
"Mention" (Gr. mneian-mneian) speaks of recollection.
Let’s make it plain. Paul told Philemon that
he prayed for him personally.
Philemon 5 Hearing of thy love and faith,
which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
"Hearing" (Gr. akouoon-akouwn) indicates hearing with understanding.
Paul told Philemon that had a reputation of
love toward all the saints of God, and of faith in Christ Jesus.
Notice that Paul is building his case for the
safe return of Onesimus, but he has not yet mentioned Onesimus by name.
Philemon 6 That the communication of thy
faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in
you in Christ Jesus.
"Communication" (Gr. koinoonia-koinwnia)
indicates a close relationship.
Our relationship is based on faith in
God---not faith in faith---not faith in human abilities.
If we have no faith in God or in the work of
Christ within us, there is no basis for personal relationship.
"acknowledging"
(Gr. epignosei-epignosei) means
"full discernment."
Christianity seeks full discernment of all
good things within the hearts of all people---leading them to Christ!
Philemon 7 For we
have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints
are refreshed by thee, brother.
"joy" (Gr.
charan-caran) indicates
cheerfulness resulting in calm delight.
"Consolation" (Gr. parakleesin-paraklhsin)
implies a solace in times of trouble.
"Refreshed" (Gr. anapepautai-anapepautai)
speaks of rest and relaxation.
“Bowels” (Gr. splangchna-splangcna) is an interesting word.
The Greek points to the
human spleen.
In ancient times, the spleen was considered
to be the center of human emotions.
However, due to social changes, today we
would say "because of the hearts of the saints".
Saying, "because of the spleens of the
saints" has an odd ring in Modern English.
God calls the Holy Spirit our Comforter.
It is in Him we find refreshing, because He
testifies of the great things Christ has done for us.
The love of God expressed through Christ
brings spiritual calm and joy even in the midst of great conflict.
It is God within our hearts Who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure
(Philippians 2:13).
Philemon 8 Wherefore,
though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
“Enjoin” (Gr. epitassein-epitassein) means command.
Now, Paul gets down to business.
He reminded Philemon that---using His
apostolic authority---Paul could order Philemon to reinstate Onesimus in his
household.
However, sometimes giving orders is not the
best way to get things done.
Philemon 9 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.
Beseech (Gr. parakaloo-parakalw) means encourage.
Prisoner (Gr. desmios-desmioV) means a captive.
As an Apostle of God, Paul had every right to
demand that Philemon accept Onesimus back on any terms Paul dictated.
However, to do so may have brought harm to
the cause of Christ.
So, Paul encouraged Philemon to do what was
righteous in the sight of God.
As an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ, he
requested Philemon to do the right thing.
And, he reminded Philemon that he was a
captive of Christ Jesus.
Being a captive means that Christ is supposed
to care for Paul’s safety and well being.
It is good to have Christ in charge of your
life!
Philemon 10 I beseech thee for my son
Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Paul uses the same Greek word for
"beseech" as he used in verse 9.
This is the first time Onesimus is mentioned
by name.
Paul calls him "my son!" Only two
others were referred to as Paul’s sons---Timothy, and Titus.
“Bonds” (Gr. desmios-desmioV), again speaks of Paul’s captivity.
This letter was written from
Paul’s bonds were in Christ.
In addition, it was illegal to bind a Roman citizen
without a trial by Romans.
The myth of Paul being chained to a Roman
guard in a dark, dank dungeon prior to his first trial is just that---a myth!
Prior to his first trial, Paul was held in
protective custody to prevent his assassination by Jewish fanatics.
In
At the end of Acts, Paul was living in a
rented house, presumably under the protective custody of the Romans awaiting
trial.
Philemon 11 Which in time past was to thee
unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
“Profitable” (Gr. euchreeston-eucrhston) means useful!
Onesimus (Gr. Oneesimon-Onhsimon) means profitable.
In the past, the one named profitable had
been very Unprofitable.
But, since coming to Christ, he had become
very profitable.
He had been useful to Paul in the spread of
the gospel.
And now, he would be useful to Philemon not
as a slave, but as a brother-in-Christ.
Philemon 12 Whom I have sent again: thou
therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
In my opinion, this verse is difficult to
translate.
The heart of this KJV English translation is
not found in the Greek.
However, the literal translation is,
"Whom I will be sending back to you he is my heart."
Paul is saying that Onesimus, whom he is
sending back to Philemon, is precious to him.
Philemon 13 Whom I would have retained
with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the
gospel:
“Retained” (Gr. katechein-katecein) means to hold or keep.
Paul told Philemon that Onesimus might have
remained with Paul to take part in the mission work in place of Philemon.
That was an alternative.
Philemon 14 But without thy mind would I
do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but
willingly.
Without they mind is an idiom
meaning---without your consent.
Paul knew that Philemon’s consent would be
necessary in correctly resolving this situation, and he wanted Philemon to
agree with his decision.
Philemon 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a
season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
“Season” (Gr. hooran-wran) indicates an hour.
"For ever"
(Gr. aioonion-aiwnion) speaks
of an age---this Greek word is often mistranslated "eternal." It
means “age,” a period of time that comes to an end.
Paul told Philemon that Onesimus left him for
an extremely short time so he may return to him for a long time.
Philemon 16 Not now as a servant, but
above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto
thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
It was Paul's contention that Onesimus left
Philemon for a short time so that Philemon might gain a brother-in-Christ for a
lifetime and beyond.
For that reason Paul asked him not to greet
Onesimus as a servant, but as a beloved brother, both in the flesh, and in the
Lord.
Philemon 17 If
thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
Partner (Gr. koinoonon-koinwnon) refers to a close associate.
It is one who shares equally in the endeavor.
This indicates that Philemon is an equal
partner with Paul in the grace of God.
Philemon 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
Paul goes on to tell Philemon that if Onesimus
has wronged (Gr. eedikeese-hdikhse) him in any way, or owes him anything to put it on
Paul’s account.
Christ Jesus did that with God the father
when He accepted our sins and paid the full and complete price for our sins.
1 Timothy 2:6 [Christ Jesus] Who gave
himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Can there be any doubt that Christ Jesus paid
sin’s ransom with His life that we may live in harmony with the Father?
Philemon 19 I Paul have written it with
mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
“Repay” (Gr. apotisoo-apotisw) means to pay in full.
Paul wrote this request personally, saying
that he would completely repay Philemon.
Paul also points out the while Onesimus owes
much to Philemon, and Philemon owes much to Paul.
That seems to put things into perspective.
Philemon 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy
of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
Again, there is a problem with the
translation.
Joy (Gr. onaimeen- onaimhn) speaks of pleasure derived from gaining another’s
help.
Again, Paul is asking Philemon’s help in
bringing this situation to a godly conclusion.
Some Greek texts end this verse with "in
Christ."
Both the Textus Receptus and the Majority Text
end with "in (the) Lord."
Philemon 21 Having confidence
in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more
than I say.
"Having confidence in they obedience" (Gr. Pepoithoos-PepoiqwV) might
be better understood as "Having trusted your compliance".
Paul wrote to Philemon trusting that his
request would be honored.
“Obedience” (Gr. hupakoee-upakoh) paints an interesting word picture.
Imagine a person listening intently to
another while being in complete agreement with whatever the other person says.
That is this type of obedience that results
in full compliance.
Philemon 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be
given unto you.
As Paul wrote to Philemon, he was planning to
fellowship with him in person.
It was Paul's expectation that he would be
given the opportunity to visit Philemon.
We do not know if that prayer came to
fruition.
Philemon 23-24
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
Epaphras is a shortened version of Epaphroditus.
Epaphroditus became a great worker for Christ
in second generation Christianity.
The Greek text of the Philippian letter lists
Epaphroditus as an Apostle (messenger).
Mark is John Mark, Barnabas' cousin.
It was Mark who was unprofitable to Paul on
the first missionary journey.
Later, Mark wrote Peter's memoirs that we
know as the Gospel of Mark.
Also, Later Paul asked Timothy to bring Mark
with him to
Aristarchus was a native of
He converted to Judaism then to Christianity.
Demas was a fellow-laborer with Paul.
He is highly spoken of here in Philemon and
in Colossians 4:14.
However, in 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul wrote that
Demas has deserted him, going to Thessalonica, probably his hometown.
Paul wrote that Demas loved the things of
this world.
Lucas is Luke.
He was a proselyte to Judaism, then was called by God to Christ.
Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of
Acts.
Luke, the physician, was highly educated.
Many theologians suppose him to be an
Apostle.
Philemon 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
The heart of the gospel is God’s grace being
with us all.
May he bless you greatly.
Amen!
This verse would be better translated, “The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ IS with your spirit!