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Philemon
All scripture is from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. Before beginning this study, I suggest you pray and ask God to guide you through this study. I also suggest that you do you own study of this material in order to ensure its accuracy.
(Phile 1:1) Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
Paul was in prison in Rome. We piece that information together from several verses including Acts 28:30-31, and Colossians 4:9-10. At this imprisonment he wrote to Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, and Philemon. This letter is from Paul and Timothy, though Timothy says nothing in this letter. Paul and Timothy must have been in agreement about its contents.
Philemon, a convert of Paul, was a beloved brother. He was active in his church, which was in his own house (v. 2). He was a freeman and evidently had means (v. 22), for he was a slave owner.
(Phile 1:2) And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
Philemon was not the only addressee. According to tradition, Apphia was Philemon's wife, and Archippus was a fellow laborer at Colosse (Col 4:17). Since the letter is also adressed to Archipus of Colosse, it is evident that Philemon was a Colossian. Philemon graciously accommodated his house to the church for it's meeting place. There is no evidence that this was the church to which the Epistle to the Colossians was written.
(Phile 1:3) Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul's hallmark. This greeting is missing from the Epistle to the Hebrews and for this and other reasons, many scholars believe that Hebrews was not written by Paul.
(Phile 1:4) I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
Paul prayed for them regularly.
(Phile 1:5) Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
Paul had had words telling of Philemon's passion for Jesus and the saints. I am sure that these reports helped Paul make the decision to send Onesimus back to Philemon.
(Phile 1:6) That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Philemon's good works and actions helped him to be a good witness. People saw his works and were more willing to believe. Those works were only good through Jesus Christ. Isaiah tells us that "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isa 64:6). But in Christ we receive righteousness making our good works righteous acts (Philippians 1:11).
(Phile 1:7) For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Philemon must really have been a blessing to the saints. Bowels is idiomatic. The corresponding idiom in English would be our hearts. So, in other words, Philemon blessed the hearts of the saints, refreshing them.
(Phile 1:8) Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
It may seem like Paul was buttering him up (speak of idioms!). Not so--Paul was sure Philemon would do the right thing. Paul was reminding Philemon of his good reputation. He would not order Philemon, as he had the right to do, he was making request.
(Phile 1:9) 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.
Paul, an aged man, was appealing to Philemon.
(Phile 1:10) I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Paul's appeal was for Onesimus. He was Onesimus' spiritual father and he had led him to Christ while he was still in prison. His prison was a hired house (Acts 28:30) and he had many freedoms there, though he was always attached to a Roman soldier (literally, with a chain).
(Phile 1:11) Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
This is a play on Onesimus' name, which means profitable. Onesimus must not have been a good servant. He was not profitable to Philemon in the past but now, in Christ, he would live up to his name.
(Phile 1:12) Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
The KJV English implies that Paul had sent Onesimus once before. But it more precisely reads: "Whom I am returning to you" (Onesimus was a runaway slave--v. 16). Onesimus was Paul's own heart. Paul loved him dearly.
(Phile 1:13-14) Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: {14} But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
Paul would have kept Onesimus with him, but he would not do so without Philemon's consent. That way, Philemon would willingly accept Onesimus as a brother.
(Phile 1:15-16) For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; {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?
Even though he ran away from his master, and probably stole money from him, perhaps it was for good rather than bad. In Romans 8:28, Paul said "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." That is probably what Paul meant here. After all, Onesimus had become a believer and was now returning willingly to his master.
He left for a while but was returning forever. Philemon should receive him as a brother in Christ.
(Phile 1:17) If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
The word for partner is koinonos, meaning sharer or associate. They were brothers and sharers in Christ. Philemon was to receive Onesimus as though he were Paul--as a fellow sharer in Christ.
(Phile 1:18) If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
Chances are that Onesimus stole money from Philemon. He would have needed money for the trip from Colosse to Rome. Paul says to charge the money to him and he would repay it:
(Phile 1:19) 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.
Paul signed the letter in his own hand, indemnifying Philemon. Paul signed the letter as a note to Philemon, legally binding himself to repay him the money that Onesimus took. Paul reminds Philemon that he owes his eternal soul to Paul. I believe, and this is just an opinion, that Philemon annulled the debt.
(Phile 1:20) Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
Do this and bless my heart and refresh me just as you did for the other believers. Justify your reputation.
(Phile 1:21) Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
Paul had confidence that Philemon would not only accept Onesimus back as a brother, but that he would do more, like forgiving him. He might even free him. I believe, and this is just another opinion, that Philemon emancipated Onesimus.
(Phile 1:22) But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
Paul planned to visit so he asked Philemon to prepare the guestroom.
(Phile 1:23-24) There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; {24} Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
Epaphras was probably a prisoner in Colosse; the others were fellow servants of Christ.
(Phile 1:25) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
This is Paul's marvelous benediction, another hallmark.
Why did this letter requesting the acceptance of Onesimus make it into the canon? It has a great spiritual message for all of us. It is a letter about forgiveness. Onesimus had asked the LORD to forgive his sins through Jesus Christ, and now he must ask his master to forgive him for his commission of sin against Philemon.
In order to forgive Onesimus, Philemon had to change his attitude about Onesimus. He had to forget that the slave had robbed him and illegally run away from him. It would be easy enough for Philemon to assert his rights and to seek retribution against Onesimus. But Philemon had to have a change of heart. Paul showed him that that would be necessary.
Even when we have a right to seek retribution against someone, we should make sure our attitudes and our reasons are the right ones. We may need to have a change of heart.
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