INTRODUCTION
The Epistle of Paul to Philemon is unique in that it is addressed to a personal friend regarding a private matter. No doubt Paul wrote many such personal letters but this one alone has been preserved.
Philemon seems to have been a wealthy citizen of Colosse. He was a personal convert of the Apostle’s and there were strong bonds of friendship between them.
Paul writes on behalf of a thief and a runaway. Philemon had suffered serious loss through the irregular conduct of his servant Onesimus, and might well be hesitant about trusting him again.
Paul sees that it is the duty of the slave to return and of his master to receive him. By personal persuasion he had won over Onesimus to return, and by this letter he seeks to insure for him a welcome in his master’s house.
Onesimus goes back, not merely as a penitent but as a Christian. Paul pleads that he be received as a brother.
The Epistle was written from Rome, the natural center of attraction for all fugitives, and is associated with the Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians.
OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON
A PLEA FOR A RUNAWAY SLAVE
The Significance of His Absence
Paul’s Offer of Security
CONCLUSION
PAUL’S PLEA FOR ONESIMUS
Perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, so that you would have him back forever,
no longer as a slave, but [as someone] more than a slave, as a brother [in Christ], especially dear to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh [as a servant] and in the Lord [as a fellow believer]. [Col_4:9]
So if you consider me a partner, welcome and accept him as you would me.
But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account;
I, Paul, write this with my own hand, I will repay it in full (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).
Yes, brother, let me have some benefit and joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
I write to you [perfectly] confident of your obedient compliance, since I know that you will do even more than I ask.
At the same time also prepare a guest room for me [in expectation of a visit], for I hope that through your prayers I will be [granted the gracious privilege of] coming to you [at Colossae].
FINAL GREETINGS
Greetings to you from Epaphras, my fellow prisoner here in [the cause of] Christ Jesus,
and from Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
on
Philemon 1:15-25
TO BE RECEIVED AS A BROTHER
The Apostle’s pleas for the restoration of Onesimus to his old, trusted position in the household of Philemon are very touching. He suggests, first, that there may have been a divine purpose in it all, and that the former’s flight had been permitted as a step in the entire renovation of the slave’s nature. And, therefore, because Philemon and Onesimus were two Christians, their relationship had been transformed. “In the flesh, Philemon has the brother for his slave; in the Lord, Philemon has the slave for his brother.” Then in Phm_1:17 Paul identifies himself with Onesimus; and we are taught to think of our Lord identifying Himself with us, because, as Luther says, “we are all Onesimuses.” Further, in Phm_1:18 Paul offers to assume all the losses which Onesimus had brought on Philemon, and signs the bond with his autograph, as our Lord paid the great ransom price for us all. Finally, Paul delicately reminds his friend, in Phm_1:19, that Philemon owed him a great deal more than a trifle of money, namely, his spiritual life. Does not our Lord address us in similar terms? We surely owe ourselves to Him!
Note: Owing to the brevity of this Epistle Review Questions are omitted.
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