He’s Now Your Brother! Paul’s letter to Philemon

Adapted from a Ron MacArthur sermonhttp://www.sermoncentral.com/print_friendly.asp?ContributorID=&SermonID=65907

ChristMissionWorker

Slave ConvertApostle

Church Leader

The letter to Philemon is sandwiched in between Titus and Hebrews, it is one of a small group of

personal letters that Paul wrote. They are grouped together and include 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. All of Paul’s teaching

letters were sent to churches in certain cities or provinces, but these four letters are directed to

specific individuals. So they may give us a more personal view of Paul in everyday life.

Paul wrote the letter to Philemon in approximately 57-60A.D. probably during his first imprisonment in Rome. This letter was

written at about the same time that he wrote his letters to the church at Ephesis (Ephesians) and

to the church at Colosse (Colossians).

The subject of the letter is a runaway slave named Oneisimus who had ‘apparently’ stolen some money or things of worth from Philemon, his master, and fled to Rome where he could blend in with the large population and not be

easily found. Somewhere in his travels he became involved with Paul and the Christian

Church in Rome. It is apparent that he became a believer and a much loved co-worker with

Paul.

Philemon 1:1 NET From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to

Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier,

and to the church that meets in your house. 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Paul identifies himself and mentions Timothy.

Philemon is addressed as a “dear friend and colaborer” which shows there was a warm personal relationship already established

between Philemon and Paul.“Apphia our sister” Most consider Apphia to be

Philemon’s wife & Paul’s sister in Christ.

For Archippus he uses the term “fellow soldier” which is the term he used for Epaphroditus.

Philippians 2:25 NET But for now I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, coworker and fellow

soldier, and your messenger and minister to me in my need. Fellow soldier and coworker would

be interchangeable. Again showing that this was a man of Christian influence. Many

commentators suggest Archippus is Philemon’s son or brother in-law.

“the church that meets in your house” "Up to the third century we have no certain evidence of the existence of church buildings for the purpose of worship; all references point to private houses for this. In Rome several of the oldest churches appear to have been built on the sites of houses

used for Christian worship." (Oesterley)

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. 6 I

pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing

that belongs to you in Christ. 7 I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love,

for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers It deserves attention, that he at the same time prays for that very thing for which he

“gives thanks.” Philemon had been such a blessing to Paul so he prayed often and was grateful for him. I remember you means that

Paul did not always pray long, intricate prayers for Philemon, but he did often remember,

mention, Philemon in his prayers.

Paul reminds Philemon that he is thankful to God for him because, even in Rome, “I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all

the saints.”According to the commentators verse 6 is hard

to translate. 6 I pray that the faith you share with us… Paul prays that Philemon will actively

share the faith with us sounds like witnessing or preaching. Actively sharing, “may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to

you in Christ.”

On the other hand the word translated share is used in some of Paul’s other letters when he

talks about monetary support.

Romans 15:26 NET For Macedonia and Achaia are pleased to make some contribution for the

poor among the saints in Jerusalem.The KJV also translates the word as communion

& fellowship in other passages.

A 3rd viewpoint is Paul is talking about the faith in Christ that they have in common.

Any or all could be true. Philemon is sharing their mutual faith in Christ by telling others &

also sending money to support Paul and others who are spreading the Word.

7 I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints

have been refreshed through you, brotherAgain Paul mentions great joy and

encouragement he has because… the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you

(Philemon). (Probably in three ways, spiritually, financially

and physically)

Now, if you were going to write a letter to someone requesting a huge favor wouldn’t you

use a beginning format like this? A warm greeting, a prayer of thanksgiving for them

which builds them up and encourages them to read the remainder of the letter with warmth and

a smile in their heart.

8 So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper, 9 I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love — I, Paul, an old man and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus — 10 I am appealing to you concerning my child,

whose spiritual father I have become during my imprisonment, that is, Onesimus, 11 who was

formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me.

Paul continues by saying he could use his authority as an Apostle to order Philemon to do

what he asks. (Note that he doesn’t, but the fact that it has

been written puts the idea in Philemon’s head anyway)

But instead he appeals on the basis of love. “I, Paul, an old man and even now a prisoner for

the sake of Christ Jesus…I am appealing to you concerning my child …Onesimus, Who became

my son while I was in chains.”

Note how Paul is using psychology by still referring to his own sufferings while bringing up

the subject of the runaway slave.

11 who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me.

[Onesimus means “useful.”]

Note Paul adding value to Onesimus by relating his usefulness to himself.

12 I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you. 13 I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel. 14 However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so

that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.

15 For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally, 16 no longer

as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even

more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

Notice how Paul puts great value on Onesimus in verse 12 I have sent him (who is my very

heart) back to you. It’s like sending you back a piece of me!

13 I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the

sake of the gospel.He is doing the same kind of job for me that you would do if you were here. He could take your

place in helping me’.

14 However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own

willingness.

What is Paul saying here? Is he saying I sent him back to you so that you might do the favor and send him back to me? Or is he just asking

for spontaneous acceptance of Onesimus’ return to Philemon?

15 For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally, 16 no longer

as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even

more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

Again Paul masterfully appeals to the Christianity of Philemon. Since Onesimus is a

believer now he will be a better man and will be trustworthy and work with you.

Why does Paul make this continuous plea for Onesimus? To us he seems to be over doing it.

But there is good reason for Paul’s appeal; it deals with Onesimus very life.

Under Roman law (which was the law of the land at that time) a returned slave could be

killed if his master determined to do so. Paul was being very sure that Philemon understood his meaning. And we will continue to see Paul’s appealing to Philemon’s Christian character for

the remainder of the letter.

17 Therefore if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 Now if he has

defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what he owes to me. 19 I,

Paul, have written this letter with my own hand: I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe

me your very self.

Again on a personal level, “So if you regard me as a partner accept him as you would me.”

(comrade-in-arms–MSG, friend-CEV)Now what more could he ask of Philemon? How

much more pressure could he exert to save Onesimus’ life? Surely he would welcome Paul, his brother in the faith with open arms and Paul

is saying welcome Onesimus the same way! Now that is tremendous loving pressure!

And even more! “Now if he has defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what

he owes to me.” Paul knew about the Good Samaritan didn’t he?

Could it get more personal than that? Yes it could! 19 I, Paul, have written this letter with my

own hand:

NOTE: This is only one of a couple of times in his epistles that Paul actually writes something in his own hand. It is speculated that Paul had

some sort of eye trouble—Notice that he says in Galatians 6:11 NET See what big letters I make

as I write to you with my own hand!

So here Paul adds the most personal touch that he can, surely all the believers know about his vision problem but here he says “I am making this as personal as I can by writing it myself.”

I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self.

As his child in the Gospel, Philemon owed to Paul much more than the trifle of money of

which Onesimus had robbed him; namely his spiritual life, which he had received through the Apostle’s ministry. But he will not insist on that.

True love never presses its claims, nor recounts its services.

Claims which need to be urged are not worth urging. A true, generous heart will never say, "You ought to do so much for me, because I

have done so much for you." To come down to that low level barter is a dreadful descent from

the heights where the love which delights in giving should ever dwell.

Does not Christ speak to us in the same language? We owe ourselves to Him, as

Lazarus did, for He raises us from the death of sin to a share in His own new, undying life. As a

sick man owes his life to the doctor who has cured him, as a drowning man owes his to his rescuer, who dragged him from the water and

breathed into his lungs till they began to work of themselves, as a child owes its life to its parent -

so we owe ourselves to Christ.

But He does not insist upon the debt; He gently reminds us of it, as making His commandment sweeter and easier to obey. Every heart that is really touched with gratitude will feel, that the

less the giver insists upon his gifts, the more do they impel to affectionate service.

To be perpetually reminded of them weakens their force as motives to obedience, for it then appears as if they had not been gifts of love at

all, but bribes given by self-interest; and the frequent reference to them sounds like

complaint. But Christ does not insist on His claims, and therefore the remembrance of them

ought to underlie all our lives and to lead to constant glad devotion. (Maclaren)

20 Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Since I was confident that you would obey, I

wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more than what I am asking you to do.

Paul is sure of the response he will get, knowing full well that he has completed this task as

directed by the Holy Spirit. What a trial lawyer he would have been!

I May Stop By To Check On You The closure and a point of interest maybe

unseen by others.22 At the same time also, prepare a place for

me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.

Now this is a seemingly innocent closure statement, “prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given

back to you.” But think about it, it also is a means of making sure that Philemon follows through with Paul’s request about Onesimus.

Philemon would have some tall explaining to do if Paul were to visit him and find out that

Onesimus had been killed or treated badly.

So is it a nice friendly goodbye or is it a way of saying, “I may be stopping by to check up on

you brother Philemon?” Makes you think doesn’t it?

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you. 24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my colaborers, greet you too. 25 May the

grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Five of the then faithful ministers with Paul are mentioned in the 23rd & 24th verses. Epapras, a faithful Christian and founder of the Church at Colosse. Mark (John Mark) the writer of the

Gospel of Mark, Aristarchus Paul's companion on his third missionary tour, and dragged into the theater with Gaius by the mob at Ephesus. According to tradition he was martyred during

the persecution of Nero.

Demas who would later desert Paul. (2Tim 4:10) And finally Luke the writer of the letters called

The Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles.

So here we have a masterfully written letter. One that tugged at the heartstrings, leaned

heavily on a Christian’s faith and forgiveness, and trusted heavily in the value of a relationship

between two men, Paul and Philemon.

Paul going the extra mile for Onesimus is a wonderful testimony to his character. Paul said if

this man owes any debt at all charge it to me. And now he’s a servant of Christ like you & I, so

you should treat him as a brother and forgive him. And because of this Onesimus could stand

before Philemon without fear of retribution.

Jesus did the same thing when he went to the cross for our sins. We were unworthy and

deserving of punishment for our sin but His shed blood covered our sins and paid our debt for us.

Now if we accept Him as Lord and Savior, we may stand before our Father God without sin

and without fear.