Philemon 17-22: Paul Intercedes
Paul, inserting himself as an intercessor, is confident that Philemon will forgive Onesimus
Teaching Notes
Outline
Philemon 1-3 - Greetings
Philemon 4-7 - Philemon’s Character
Philemon 8-16 - Paul’s Request
Philemon 17-22 - Paul Intercedes
Purpose of Philemon
Paul wrote Philemon requesting a transformed relationship between him and Onesimus
Main point of Philemon 17-22
Paul, inserting himself as an intercessor, is confident that Philemon will forgive Onesimus
Philemon 17-21 - Paul Intercedes on Behalf of Onesimus
So if you consider me a partner,
Receive him as you would receive me.
④ to extend a welcome, receive in(to) one’s home or circle of acquaintances
If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything,
② to cause damage to or mistreat
① to be indebted to someone in a financial sense
Charge that to my account.
to charge with a financial obligation
I, Paul, write this with my own hand:
I will repay it — to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.
to make compensation, pay damages
owe besides, still owe (POxy 101, 42 and oft. pap) τινί τι someth. to someone of debts outstanding
Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord.
Æ 1. Voluntative Optative (a.k.a Optative of Obtainable Wish, Volitive Optative)
a. Definition
This is the use of the optative in an independent clause to express an obtainable wish or a prayer. It is frequently an appeal to the will, in particular when used in prayers.
to be the recipient of a favor or benefit or to have someth. for one’s use, have benefit of, enjoy.
The word translated “benefit” (the verb onaimēn) is somewhat similar to the name “Onesimus” (Onēsimos), and a number of interpreters suggest therefore that Paul might intend another play on words (as in v. 11): “You, Philemon, will truly be ‘Onesimus’ (“useful”) to me.” It is argued, to the contrary, that the verb is not all that unusual.143 But, in fact, the verb is found only here in the New Testament and only once in the LXX, so it is unusual enough. Paul may well intend the pun.
Refresh my heart in Christ.
① to cause someone to gain relief from toil,
② as often in the ancient world, inner body parts served as referents for psychological aspects
Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
② The 2 pf. (w. plpf.) has pres. mng. (B-D-F §341; Rob. 881), to be so convinced that one puts confidence in someth.
① a state of being in compliance, obedience (one listens and follows instructions)
• of obedience to God’s chosen representatives, the apostle and his emissaries
Philemon 22 - Paul’s Travel Plans
At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
① petition addressed to deity, prayer
Theology in Action
The Gospel Working in Action
Paul’s willingness to meet Onesimus’s debt to restore his relationship with Philemon is a marvelous picture of Christ’s work. Philemon, like God, had been wronged. Onesimus, like the sinner, stood in need of reconciliation. Paul offered to pay the price to bring about that reconciliation. That is the same role Jesus plays in the relationship between the sinner and God. Paul, like Christ, was willing to pay the price of reconciliation.