The Epistle to Philemon

 ¹ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, ² to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, ⁵ hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, ⁶ that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ⁷ For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. ⁸ Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, ⁹ 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—¹⁰ I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, ¹¹ who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. ¹² I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, ¹³ whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. ¹⁴ But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. ¹⁵ For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, ¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. ¹⁸ But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. ¹⁹ 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. ²⁰ Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. ²¹ Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. ²² But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. ²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, ²⁴ as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. ²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Brief Introduction

Philemon is the shortest of the thirteen epistles that the Apostle Paul has given us. It has been placed right after Titus; therefore, it is his finial epistle in the N.T. Scripture. In it we learn that it was written during Paul’s imprisonment at Rome while waiting to make his appeal before Caesar, roughly 62. A.D. Though short in length this is one of Paul’s most personal letters, being written by his own hand (vs. 19) and being addressed to a certain wealthy Christian named Philemon who resided at Colossae. The reason for Paul’s writing him though is not for his own sake, but rather as an appeal for a certain runaway slave named Onesimus, who had fled to Rome and sought Paul knowing that his persons only hope was to have Paul intercede on his behalf. Now Rome was an empire that was kept alive by slaves, by the enslavement of those peoples whom they had conquered. Slaves then were the backbone of this vast empires massive building programs, as well as how its citizens made and sustained their own privileges and wealth. That said slaves had very little or no rights under Roman law, for they were considered nothing more than mere property, (or a commodity that could be bought and sold), and so they were treated however their masters saw fit, and as such they could face brutal reprisals from their masters for even the smallest offenses. Contrasted with that form of slavery is that which we read of in the law of Moses which regulated the treatment of slaves, which had provisions and protections for them, as well as a guarantee of release for those who were enslaved because of their inability to pay their debts etc. Thus, slavery amongst the Jews often took the form of servanthood rather than what the world around them did with and too their slaves. That all said, the Apostle Paul (and all the Apostles) did not seek to violate Roman law and free all of Rome’s slaves by some sort of revolt or uprising, which would’ve only ended in the annihilation of the early church and all believers with the empires grasp. Rather they sought to change hearts and minds regarding slaves and their treatment, beginning with believers who held slaves. And so, within this brief letter we get to see the great tact which the Apostle employs in seeking the wellbeing and welfare of Onesimus, and how he appeals to Philemon his master to no longer see Onesimus as a mere slave, but rather now as a beloved fellow brother in the Lord. And this he does while facing his own trial and death for his faith In Christ.

Commentary

Vs.1-3 ¹ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, ² to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul beings his epistle by addressing himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus; thus, not a prisoner of crimes against the state, or any person, but a prisoner for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now along with Paul was his beloved son (i.e., disciple) Timothy, who began with Paul way back at Ephesus, and who remained faithful to him even to their imprisonment together here at Rome. Paul then addresses his letter to Philemon whom he calls a beloved friend and fellow labor, who thus was a believer and one who also worked for the Gospels furtherance. Now along with Philemon Paul also greets Apphia, which most believe to be Philemon’s wife. And finally, a man named Archippus whom the Apostle Paul calls “our fellow solider”; who may have been their son, for after greeting him, Paul goes on to greet the church that is in their house (vs. 2). And so here we see that Philemon though a wealthy man, was a hospitable one, who was hosting a group of believers in his own home. This then is how the early churches gathered for worship, for prayer, for Bible study, in the homes or residence of believers. 

Having then greeted Philemon and His household and the church there, the Apostle Paul now extends all Christians graces to them all saying, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” ^{Vs. 3}

Now if you too are a Christian, a believer, then please take those words to heart as for you too. For believing in and thus belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ you also have grace from God our Father and peace through and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Vs. 4-7 ⁴ I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, ⁵ hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, ⁶ that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ⁷ For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

The Apostle Paul now begins his address to Philemon by telling him that he thanks God for his fellowship, and that he makes mention of him always in his prayers (vs. 4). For in hearing of Philemon’s love for the Lord Jesus and all of the saints; that is everyone who believes in Jesus Christ; and so, every believer regardless of their social standing or their gender; therefore, the Apostle Paul finds solid ground to commend him for this; for his love and for his faith (vs. 5); which as Paul says in verse six was being manifested towards all, and not just in word, but especially in deed. That is what the Apostle Paul is saying when he says to him, “that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” ^{Vs. 6}

Philemon then was not only being acknowledged as a Christian, but he was also being encouraged to continue on being a benevolent and charitable Christian man, whom again the Apostle Paul acknowledges as coming from Philemon’s own faith in and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. For it is the Lord Jesus Christ who in changing our hearts and persons and lives also does many gracious works and generous deeds towards one and towards all through us all. For that is always the mark of a Christian their good and gracious deeds. Therefore, the Apostle Paul says that he and those with him have great joy and consolation in his love, because even though Paul was then imprisoned, he was greatly consoled by Philemon’s faith and outworking of love which had refreshed the hearts of the saints, that is fellow believers, therefore Paul is not only joyful and consoled by hearing of this, but he now calls him his brother (Vs. 7).

Vs. 8-16 ⁸ Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, ⁹ 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—¹⁰ I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, ¹¹ who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. ¹² I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, ¹³ whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. ¹⁴ But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. ¹⁵ For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, ¹⁶ 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.

Starting in verse eight the Apostle Paul ever so tactfully begins his appeal to Philemon for Onesimus; the slave who had run away and had come to him and had himself now become a follower of Jesus Christ. And so, to begin the Apostle Paul makes it clear that as an Apostle of Jesus Christ he could command Philemon to do what is fitting, that is receive Onesimus his runaway slave back without any repercussions to this frightened slave. And yet Paul does not go that route, rather he now appeals to him for loves sake, that is just as Philemon has already shown much love towards the saints; that he would do so once again; and this time not simply as act of benevolence towards Onesimus, whom it appears he had been quite upset with, but towards the Apostle Paul himself as an aged man and also a prisoner of Jesus Christ, which he would be doing if he would receive Onesimus back. For the Apostle now tells Philemon that he has begotten Onesimus to Christ while in his chains (vs. 9-10), that is Onesimus has now become a disciple of Christ, which itself is not unusual since many people come to receive the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves when they too are also brought to the place of despair, (Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son perfectly pictures this). Therefore, in asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back, Paul also tells him that though Onesimus may have been unprofitable to him, yet he has become profitable to him (vs. 11), that is he has changed, or better been changed, therefore in doing so Philemon would be receiving his own heart, thus tying what Philemon does with Onesimus with himself (vs. 12).

The Apostle Paul continues on by saying that he even wanted to keep Onesimus there with himself; thus, indicating to Philemon that such has Onesimus changed that the Apostle Paul has now found him to be a good and profitable servant, ministering to him while he was in chains for the gospel’s sake (vs. 13). However, Paul once again ever so tactful now says to Philemon that without his consent he wanted to do nothing, saying he’d much rather have Philemon do a good deed not by compulsion, but rather as it were, a voluntary act and choice of love (vs. 14). Nonetheless Paul was going to send Onesimus back to Philemon, and thus he will ever so subtly make the point that now he himself will now suffer loss by doing so, in order to prepare Philemon to receive Onesimus back in a spirit of reconciliation and peace just as Paul has done. For Paul now says that perhaps Onesimus left for this very purpose; to minister to him while he was in chains for the gospel’s sake, and for himself to become a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, so that Philemon could receive him back to himself forever. No longer then as a mere slave, but now as a beloved brother in the Lord, both to Paul and now to himself (vs. 15-16). Thus, rather then seeing Onesimus’ departure as an act of rebellion or wronging him, Paul is appealing to Philemon to see all of the good that has now come out of it. It’s a great display of both tact and mercy on the Apostle Paul’s part, which could only have only positive effects on all those believers there in Philemon’s household. For just as spirit of anger flavors the people and places where it is allowed to flourish, so does the spirit of reconciliation and peace.

Vs. 17–25 ¹⁷ If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. ¹⁸ But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. ¹⁹ 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. ²⁰ Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. ²¹ Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. ²² But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. ²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, ²⁴ as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. ²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Having then ever so tactfully laid the groundwork for Philemon to receive Onesimus back, the Apostle Paul now returns to his Apostle authority, saying to Philemon, “If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.” ^{Vs. 17} Thus Paul not only elevates Onesimus from the place of slave to beloved brother, who is to be received as Philemon would receive Paul himself; but now he also elevates Philemon as his equal, as a partner in the Gospel. For true leadership always elevates those they lead. In verses eighteen and nineteen then the Apostle Paul makes his strongest appeal for clemency for Onesimus, saying, ¹⁸ But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. ¹⁹ 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.

Thus, the Apostle Paul now makes it clear that he himself will bear whatever burdens or debts that Philemon has incurred through Onesimus, verifying this by saying that this epistle was not being dictated, but was being written by his own hand. Having done so Paul now reminds Philemon that he himself owes himself to him, that is, his own faith to the Apostle Paul. And so, the idea is not to hold grudges or indebtedness against another believer, because we are all indebted to Christ (consider Matt. 18:21-35)

Verse twenty then is an appeal to Philemon by the Apostle Paul to refresh his heart by receiving Onesimus back graciously. While in verse twenty-one the Apostle Paul affirms to Philemon that he is confident that he will obey him in this, and that Philemon will do even more than this to make Onesimus feel accepted again, now as a brother in the Lord. In verse twenty-two then Paul requests that Philemon prepare a room for him there at Colosse, for Paul believes that through Philemon’s prayers for him he shall soon be released and will come to him. The Apostle Paul concludes his epistle by mentioning a man named Epaphras whom Paul calls his fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus who also greets Philemon (vs. 23), along with Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers (vs. 24). The Apostle Paul’s finial statement to Philemon this is, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” ^{Vs. 25} And may I add to yours as well!

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.