Philemon- True Christian Love

V.1-3

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

To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,

(2)and to Apphia our sister, and to 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.

As we begin examining our text, there are some key points that ought to be discussed in order for us to understand the direction and time in which the Apostle Paul penned this short letter.

First, we note Paul’s description of himself in the opening line. If you examine the rest of the Pauline letters you will often find the title of Apostle in the opening description.

This title carries with it a significant amount of authority, thus its absence was not without purpose.

Paul describes himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. Held as a prisoner of Rome, Paul does not see Caesar as his captor, but instead understands that his imprisonment is for the glory of Christ.

Historically, we see this as a common theme for servants of God. (John Bunyan)

Paul’s purpose in this was not just remind Philemon of his suffering, but it was to begin the letter with a sense of humility that Paul will carry over into the rest of the letter.

Second, Philemon was Gentile Christian who also was a slaveholder in Colossae.

His title of beloved brother points to an intimate connection with Paul that will be unpacked further in our text.

What should be clear from this point is that though there are others addressed in this opening, this letter is primarily a personal letter written from Paul to his friend and co-laborer in the gospel.

This endearment we see from Paul continues as Paul ventures into another commonplace in his writings, intercessory prayer for the recipients.

V. 4-7

(4)I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers,

(5)because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;

(6)and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the full knowledge of every good thing which is in you for the sake of Christ.

(7) For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Paul thanks God for the love and faith that Philemon has toward God and His people.

Faith should here be understood as loyalty or faithfulness, thus Philemon is a man that truly loves and trust God and His people. His commitments are notable by all in their community.

He then goes on to pray that the fellowship he has with the saints, or the sharing of his resources with the other saints around him would become effective through the knowledge of everything within him for Christ’s sake.

Paul is praying that Philemon would continue in the love that He is showing for his fellow believers, and that this drive to love, care, and provide would be driven by seeing more clearly that depth of What Jesus’ has done within him.

This notion is solidified as verse 7 shows that Paul is greatly comforted by the continual love and support Philemon shows.

All of this sets the stage for Paul to now transition into his request.

V. 8-14

( 8)Therefore, though I have much boldness in Christ to command you to do what is proper,

(9 ) yet for love’s sake I rather plead with you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—

(10) I plead with you for my child Onesimus, of whom I became a father in my chains,

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

(12) I have sent him back to you in person, that is, my very heart,

(13) whom I intended to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel,

(14) but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but voluntarily.

Paul is sending Philemon’s slave who had run away back to his master, and is requesting he be returned to Paul, and what we will see further on in the letter that Philemon receive not as a slave who wronged him but as a brother.

There are some very notable things in Paul’s request that would be fruitful for us to unpack.

First, we see the humility from Paul resurface.

In the beginning we said it was notable that Paul had left out his title of apostle, this is where that significance surfaces.

Instead of commanding Philemon, he makes it known that Paul wishes to keep Onesimus with him, but he did not want to do this without the approval of Philemon.

Paul instead of commanding his friend is showing a caring and compassionate heart to Philemon.

Second, notice the pastoral heart of Paul toward the two men in verse 9-10.

For Philemon, he is requesting that He do the right thing. Paul is providing the oppurtunity for Philemon to serve him and help the gospel ministry.

For Onesimus, this runaway slave that Paul could have faced severe punishment for helping Paul refers to him as his child.

Paul has led this man to Christ, and is guiding him in his growing faith.

This is the heart every Christian should have for those around them. Do I care about my brothers and sisters around me and how they are growing with Christ?

Third, we have the Paul making a play on words with Onesimus’ name.

Onesimus means useful, and we can see the way Paul makes this point saying that once Onesimus was useless to Philemon as a runaway, but now with this new heart, Philemon has become useful for the advance of the gospel, and as a helper for Paul, providing services that Philemon himself would do to help his friend.

It is this understanding of the new nature of Onesimus that leads us into Paul reinforcing his request.

V. 15-20

(15) For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back 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 regard me a partner, accept him as you would accept me.

(18) But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account.

(19) I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).

(20) Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ!

Paul continues to develop the new perspective that Philemon and his household ought to see Onesimus with in V 15-16.

First, he notes that Onesimus’ separation was much more than a slave running away, for in Onesimus running away God used this man’s sin and flight to bring him to salvation.

No longer just a slave, but now as a brother in Christ forever.

Philemon’s relationship with Onesimus has fundamentally changed, as he is no longer just his servant, but his brother, meaning that Philemon in his actions must seek to do what is best for his brother.

While it is not explicitly stated, many point that this is Paul’s way of requesting the freedom of Onesimus, or at the very least that Philemon not receive him with anger, but love.

It is this notion that we see further solidified when Paul states that if you see him as a partner in the gospel, then Philemon would accept Onesimus just as he would accept Paul.

This speaks to our treatment of other brothers and sisters.

How do we receive those who have wronged us. Love and charity, or bitterness.

Paul does not stop here however.

Paul understanding the law, and the right for compensation that Philemon has, goes on to say that whatever he owes charge it to Paul’s account.

Here we have the love and example of the Lord Jesus on display.

Paul taking on the debt that Onesimus owed so that Onesimus can be received back reconciled to those he was once separated.

This example is clearly seen in 2 Cor. 5:17-18

2 Corinthians 5:17–18 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

Christ has reconciled us to God, thus making the payment for sin so that you and I can be loved and accepted by our God.

Paul models his Lord’s love when he says “I’ll pay the debt” though he has no tie or duty to do so, outside of the love that he has for his two friends.

Paul concludes his request with reminding Philemon that it was Paul himself that led him to Christ, and instead of lording it over him, he simply requests that Philemon be faithful receiving Onesimus and allowing him to continue in the gospel ministry.

Paul concludes the letter with a stamp of confidence that Philemon will do the right thing and that he prepare a place of Paul in the hopes that he would visit them.

So what are our main takeaways?

Are our lives marked with the forgiving nature that Paul shows is necessary, and the sacrificial love that he models?

If we are Christians, we must be the most forgiving people, for we recognize how much God himself has forgiven us.

An unforgiving bitter Christian is likely not a Christian at all.

Are we sacrificial in our love, not out of obligation but true love for God and his people?

Are you truly a loving person?

Legacy Standard Bible CHAPTER 2

8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.

9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.

10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness blinded his eyes.

If we do not demonstrate love and mercy we show ourselves for what we really are, dead and depraved.

As a Christian seek the good of those around you, exalt God, forgive, and seek to see Christ formed in the men and women around you.