Philemon

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

3 Grace and peace to you[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul is in prison as he writes this letter to the church that was held in Philemon’s house. Notice that he writes this letter with Timothy, including him in the greeting. He also refers to Timothy as a brother at this time instead of his son – giving him equal status in the ministry… No longer his pupil, but an esteemed co-worker. He greets Philemon, who is the head of the household, as well as Apphia and Archippus, and the church members that meet in Philemon’s house. Philemon was not only the head of this house, but he was also the owner of Onesimus, who we will see, is the main topic of concern for this letter from Paul.

Thanksgiving and Prayer
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Philemon was greatly loved by Paul, he had a good reputation as a minister and as a Christian. Paul expresses his pride in the work of Philemon and prays for his knowledge and understanding of the gospel to deepen and grow. He also referred to Philemon as a dear friend and fellow worker, showing that Paul considers him an equal in ministry, even though he was not an apostle. Philemon was a pastor. We see this in that the church was in his own home, he didn’t travel as an evangelist and he didn’t plant more churches as an apostle does. He was a minister with a love for the people in his care. Apphia is mentioned in the greeting because she was hurt by Onesimus, and her forgiveness and reconciliation is just as important as that of Philemon. In the small detail that Paul put her name directly after Philemon, Onesimus’ owner, yet before Archipus, shows that she was an important injured party. It is believed that she was Philemon’s wife, but I did not find concrete evidence to confirm this. Archippus and the church are included secondary. Archippus was a minister in the church of Colosse, a friend of Philemon, and possibly his co-pastor. Paul referred to him as a fellow soldier, showing that he would possibly have some input into Philemon’s decisions regarding Onesimus. Referring to him as a fellow soldier shows that he is speaking of the spiritual warfare, otherwise he would have only referred to him as a “Roman (Or other nationality)” soldier or his military title. Whatever Onesimus had done was more serious than just running away. This slave had wronged the household in some serious way and Paul was making a plea for forgiveness and reconciliation. Even in the best and most righteous families, there can be one who is rebellious and refuses to allow God to influence their lives. It seems that Onesimus was one such person, but now he had spent time learning the error of his ways and Paul was making a case for his forgiveness. Paul makes a point to mention the good-hearted reputation of Philemon to further soften his disposition toward his wayward servant.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus,[b] who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

Therefore, (Because of the good things I have heard about your love for others) Paul tells him not to consider doing what he is legally and rightfully able to do – what should be done according to the laws of the land. He instead tells him of the reform of Onesimus, how useful he has been to Paul, how important and close they have become, and how much good Onesimus will be able to do in the future if he is forgiven.

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

Paul knew that he was legally obligated to send Onesimus back to Philemon. He helped him reform, taught him the gospel, and was instrumental in his repentance. Onesimus has become important to Paul, yet he does not want to cause offense with Philemon or his church, so he instead offers to send him back – and even goes so far as to suggest that Philemon not only forgive him, but release him from his slavery and welcome him instead as a brother in Christ. With Paul in prison, Onesimus was probably a great help to him, so it was a sacrifice for him to send him back, but he knew that he must do what was right – even though it would cost him.

17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

Now Paul pulls his friendship with Philemon into the argument. He asks that he be accepted as if he were Paul himself… Onesimus must indeed have become important to Paul for him to put this into the argument. He offers to pay Philemon back whatever was owed, and reminds him that he “owes” him his very self. Then he concludes with a confident assumption that Philemon will do everything he asked and even more due to their relationship.

22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

Paul expresses confidence that their prayers for his release will be answered. He asks for a guest room to be prepared in anticipation of being able to come for a visit with them.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Paul closes with greetings from Epaphras, who is also a prisoner with him, and his fellow workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. He closes with a blessing of God’s power to be with their spirit. Notice that usually he closes with peace also, but this time he specifically only mentions grace – knowing that they will need to exercise that power from God that allows forgiveness and mercy in a situation that is personally painful to them. It is only God’s enabling grace that makes this possible. In and of our own earthly selves, it is impossible to offer true forgiveness and reconciliation where great injury is done. But with God, it is not only possible, but expected of us. That is why he has given us that power through his Holy Spirit.

Footnotes:
[a]The Greek is plural; also in verses 22 and 25; elsewhere in this letter “you” is singular.
[b]Onesimus means useful.