Philemon
Book Outhne
Key theme: Christian forgiveness
Key verses: ,
I. Appreciation: “I thank my God” (vv. )
A. Paul’s love (vv. )
B. Paul’s thanksgiving (vv. , , )
C. Paul’s prayer (v. )
II. Appeal: “I appeal to you” (vv. )
A. Philemon’s character (vv. , )
B. Onesimus’s conversion (vv. )
C. God’s providence (vv. , )
III. Assurance: “I will repay” (vv. )
A. Paul’s partnership (vv. )
B. Paul’s confidence (vv. )
C. Paul’s greetings (vv. )
Book Overview
Paul was a prisoner in Rome, his friend Philemon was in Colosse, and the human link between them was a runaway slave named Onesimus. The details are not clear, but it appears that Onesimus robbed his master and then fled to Rome, hoping to be swallowed up in the crowded metropolis. But, in the providence of God, he met Paul and was converted!
Now what? Perhaps Onesimus should remain with Paul, who needed all the assistance he could get. But what about the slave’s responsibilities to his master back in Colosse? The law permitted a master to execute a rebellious slave, but Philemon was a Christian. If he forgave Onesimus, what would the other masters (and slaves) think? If he punished him, how would it affect his testimony? What a dilemma!
Along with the epistle to the Colossians, this letter probably was carried to Colosse by Tychicus and Onesimus (). In it, we see Paul as he tried to help Philemon solve his problems. At the same time, we see a beautiful picture of what the Father has done for us in Jesus Christ. Martin Luther said, “All of us are Onesimuses!” and he was right.
“Be Transformed”
The greatest test of our understanding and acceptance of God’s forgiveness is whether or not we are willing to forgive others. We are prone to minimize our own offenses (and so require only a light dose of forgiveness), while maximizing the offenses of others (and the heavy dose of forgiveness they require that we find hard to dispense). But each of us is not only an ultimate offender, but a repeat offender as well. David put it well in the heart of his repentance psalm: “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight” ().
Paul probably had Philemon in mind when he wrote in his letter to the entire church at Colosse: “[Bear] with one another, and [forgive] one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (). If we understand deeply how much God has forgiven us and what it cost to provide that forgiveness, we will not be so reticent to offer others forgiveness. In sending Onesimus back for restoration, Paul asked Philemon to do what Jesus asks each of us to do—which is no less than He did in forgiving those who nailed Him to the cross (and all the rest of us they represented).
Greeting
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,
2to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon’s Love and Faith
4I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
5hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
The Plea for Onesimus
8Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,
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—
10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,
who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.
12I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
14But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,
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.
Philemon’s Obedience Encouraged
17If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
18But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.
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.
20Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
21Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
22But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
Farewell
23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Annotations for Philemon
, Paul expressed his deep love for his Christian friends, and he reminded them that he was a prisoner for Jesus Christ (see also vv. , , ). Timothy was included in the greeting, though the burden of the letter was from the heart of Paul to the heart of Philemon. Paul’s ministry was a “team” operation, and he often included the names of his associates when he wrote his letters. He liked to use the word “co-worker” or “fellow worker” (see , , ; ; ; ).
Paul told Philemon that he was praying for him and asking God to help him, “that the sharing of [his] faith may become effective.” He also prayed that his friend would have a deeper understanding and experience of all that he had in Jesus Christ. After all, the better we know Christ and the more we experience His blessings, the more we want to share these blessings with others.
Paul might have used apostolic authority and ordered his friend to obey, but he preferred to appeal in Christian love. See how tactfully Paul reminded Philemon of his own personal situation: “Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.” Who could turn down the request of a suffering saint and friend like Paul!
The name “Onesimus” means “useful,” so “profitable” in verse is a play on words. (The name “Philemon” means “affectionate” or “one who is kind.” If the slave was expected to live up to his name, then what about the master?) Paul loved Onesimus and would have kept him in Rome as a fellow worker, but he did not want to tell Philemon what to do. Voluntary sacrifice and service, motivated by love, is what the Lord wants from His children.
, Paul was not dogmatic (“perhaps”) as he made this telling point: As Christians, we must believe that God is in control of even the most difficult experiences of life. God permitted Onesimus to go to Rome that he might meet Paul and become a believer. (Certainly Philemon and his family had witnessed to the slave and prayed for him.) Onesimus departed so he could come back. He was gone a short time so that he and his master might be together forever. He left for Rome a slave, but he would return to Colosse a brother. How gracious God was to rule and overrule in these affairs!
, Here Paul uses an illustration of what Jesus Christ has done for us as believers. God’s people are so identified with Jesus Christ that God receives them as He receives His Son! We are accepted because we belong to Christ (see ) and are clothed in His righteousness (). We certainly cannot approach God with any merit of our own, but God must receive us when we come to Him “in Jesus Christ.”
Paul tenderly implored his friend Philemon to receive his disobedient slave and forgive him. But it would not be easy for Philemon to do this. If he was too easy on Onesimus, it might influence other slaves to “become Christians” and want to influence their masters. However, if he was too hard on the man, it might affect Philemon’s testimony and ministry in Colosse.
Paul says “I will repay.” It takes more than love to solve the problem; love must pay a price. God does not save us by His love, for though He loves the whole world, the whole world is not saved. God saves sinners by His grace (), and grace is love that pays a price. God in His holiness could not ignore the debt that we owe, for God must be faithful to His own law. So He paid the debt for us!
John Mark was with Paul (), the young man who failed Paul on his first missionary journey (; ). Paul had forgiven Mark and was grateful for his faithful ministry (see ).
Paul’s benediction was his “official signature” for his letters (, ), and it magnified the grace of God. After all, it was the grace of Jesus Christ that made our salvation possible (). It was He who said by His work on the cross, “Charge that to my account! Receive them as you would receive me!”
Philemon 1
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2 NU-Text reads to our sister Apphia.
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7 NU-Text reads had.
7 M-Text reads thanksgiving.
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12 NU-Text reads back to you in person, that is, my own heart.
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