Philemon 1:1-25

(Philemon 1:1-25)

prisoner of Jesus Christ Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 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. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 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? If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 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. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, myfellowlabourers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

 

The author of Philemon is Paul (verses 1, 9, 19). Philemon's writing date would be around 60 AD. This epistle has much to do with Colossians, and seems to have been written in Roman prisons at about the same time as Colossians. Philemon is a short letter in one piece. The apostle Paul calls Philemon, the recipient of this letter, "our beloved and co-worker." The word "coworker" means working together. It means those who work together in the work of God to preach the gospel of God, to save souls and to establish a true church. This includes preaching and pastoral work and teaching the Word. Philemon seems to have been a pastor or pastor in a church. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-9『 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 』

 

Apbia, the beloved sister, seems to be Philemon's wife. Akipbo is described as Akipbo, military with us. He seems to have been the son of Philemon and a participant in the ministry of the church. Paul in Colossians 4:17『 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. 』 All saints are Christ's soldiers. The saints are the soldiers fighting Satan, especially to deliver the spirits trapped in Satan's oppression is likened to spiritual battles. The word “Church in Your Home” shows that the Early Church began as a house church. Romans 16:5 says, “Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. In Colossians 4:15, 『Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 』

The apostle Paul always lived a life thanking God. Even in prison, he never ceases to be grateful. He wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 『In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 』. When the saint realizes that he is "out of Satan's oppression," the moment of living, the moment of gratitude. The apostle Paul mentioned Philemon when praying. The apostle Paul thanked God in prayer for Philemon, because he heard the Lord Jesus and his love and faith in all the saints. 『 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus..』 Through fellowship between the saints, we realize that God is good and that we are thankful that we have been born again as Christ. In 1 John 1:3, 『That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 』

Saints' fellowship is the sharing of faith in Jesus Christ. So, we encourage each other, wake up spiritually, and fight evil. Through this fellowship of faith, the saints know all the good in us through the atoning work that Christ Jesus has accomplished, and run to salvation while living on this earth. “All the good things in us” means God-given truth, salvation, new life, new inclination of godliness and love, righteousness, eternal life, and hope for heaven. The Saints were at peace through Philemon. It was because of his true faith and love. The hearts of the saints are to gain true faith, hope, and peace and strength within. This is the benefit of Saints' fellowship. The apostle Paul received much thanks and comfort because of the fact that the Saints' hearts were at peace and strength through Philemon, and because of Philemon's love. In the midst of imprisonment, it was Paul's appreciation and comfort. 『 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 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. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds.』

Onesimus was Philemon's servant and fled from his master, but was saved through Paul. Now, the apostle Paul asks Philemon for Onesimus. Although, as an apostle, he can command something good, he does not command it, but by love. Paul was laboring for the Lord for many years and is now asking for an older man who is in prison for Jesus Christ. Philemon will not be able to ignore his request and supplication. Onesimus was a fruitless servant to Philemon before, but now he has become a beneficial to Paul and Philemon. This is the transformation made by the gospel of Christ. The gospel is God's power to make the unprofitable. Sinners are useless before God and man, but saved believers become beneficial before God and man. In the past, it was a tree that produced bad fruit, but now it is a tree that produces good fruit. Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon. In slavery, the slave was the owner's property.

Paul described Onesimus as "he is my heart." Onesimus received great favor and became a loyal servant for his spiritual teacher, Paul. Paul also cherished him. Paul wanted to keep him on his side and make him a servant for his gospel ministry, but Paul said, “But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.』 Onesimus was Paul's favorite, loyal assistant to Paul, but Paul knew that his possessions belonged to Philemon. Therefore, Paul wanted Onesimus to be with him under the consent of the owner. Paul wanted Philemon's good work to be voluntary. 『 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?.』

Onesimus is now more than a slave to Philemon and a beloved brother. If it were to Paul, it would be to Philemon, who was concerned in the flesh and in the Lord. God wanted a gradual improvement of society. Changes in the mindset of the owners, superiors, and possessors were first necessary for the improvement of society. God has made the relationship between the master and the slave in the Lord a brotherly love. Paul recommended Onesimus. He asks Philemon to accept Onesimus like me if you consider me a friend. How can his friend Philemon turn away or oppose Onesimus, whom Paul values as a brother in the Lord? Receiving God's beloved servant is to receive God. Likewise, to receive Paul's beloved assistant Onesimus will soon be to receive Paul.

Onesimus made a mistake at the owner and ran away, damaging his property. But Paul says that he will take care of this. In writing this letter in his own hand, Paul says he will pay off Onesimus' debt. This is like he stamping or signing his words. But Paul added that he would not talk about what Philemon owed him. It would have meant spiritual debt. He would have received God's word and grace through Paul. God's Word of Truth is incomparably more precious than the gold and silver gems of the world. Philemon is Paul's brother in the Lord. If it is true, he will have to do Paul's good will to bring him joy and peace of mind and strength. Paul was convinced that Philemon would obey his words. Paul says Philemon knows more than he can do. Paul asked him to prepare a place for him, and in their prayers he wanted him to come to them. It is up to humans to prepare for a place, but it is up to God to get Paul out of prison and go to Colossae. People plan, but it is God who accomplishes the work.

 

『 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 』 The Saints, redeemed by the blood of the Lord, want to be co-workers to work together for the Lord's work, and they are sometimes held together in prison because of Christ Jesus. This suffering and persecution is because we love Christ's cross. Because saving the lost spirit is the best thing.