day 3

Read Philemon

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philemon&version=NIV

This letter is the only source of information about Philemon. He was a slaveholder who had been converted, possibly as a result of Paul’s ministry (Philem. 1:19). At least, Philemon was indebted to Paul in some way. Because the church met at his house, he must have been a person of wealth and influence. Apphia is not specifically identified. Paul calls her a sister (1:2), and this is evidence that she was a believer. Archippus was a believer at Colosse and a fellow soldier with Paul and Timothy (1:2; cf. Phil. 2:25). Although the letter contains personal matters, it is also addressed to the church (1:2). Paul wanted to make this a public matter, perhaps to encourage other slaveholders to follow Philemon’s example, or to apply social pressure on Philemon so that he might heed Paul’s request.

Paul wrote this letter to Philemon on behalf of Philemon’s slave, Onesimus of Colosse (Col. 4:9), who had run away to Rome. There he had evidently been converted under Paul’s ministry. Onesimus had become a useful servant of the apostle in his imprisonment (Col. 4:9), and Paul desired to keep Onesimus with him to continue his ministry. But Paul recognized that Onesimus was the property of Philemon and must be subject to his master (cf. Eph. 6:5). Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon with Tychicus (Col. 4:7–9) with a letter requesting Philemon to demonstrate grace and receive Onesimus as a brother in the Lord.



1:4–7 These verses begin with Paul’s encouragement of Philemon to be gracious toward Onesimus. Paul reminded Philemon first to consider all the good things Christ had given him so that he would have an effective sharing (fellowship) of his faith, in this case goodwill toward Onesimus.

1:8–16 Paul could have used his apostolic authority to command Philemon to do what was right, but instead he appealed to the principle of “love” to encourage Philemon to show kindness to Onesimus. The name “Onesimus” means “useful.” As a runaway, Onesimus was useless, but now, returning as a believer, he had become “useful,” both to Paul and to Philemon. Onesimus left as a mere slave but would return as a beloved brother in Christ. Paul’s request on Onesimus’s behalf was the practical outworking of his prayer in Philemon 1:6.
1:17–22 Paul asked that any debts or damages charged to Onesimus be placed on his own account. Paul promised to pay them in full. The word “charge” (1:18) means to “impute” or “reckon” (cf. Rom. 5:13). This well illustrates Christ’s work for the Christian. The debt of the believer’s sin has been charged to Christ’s account. Now God the Father receives all who believe in him as he would his own dear Son. Philemon 1:21 may indicate that Paul was hoping that Philemon would release Onesimus from slavery. Philemon 1:22 provides an important clue regarding Paul’s travel plans after being released from his first Roman imprisonment. His first destination appears to have been Colosse.

1:23–25 Epaphras (1:23) was a native of Colosse and was apparently the founder of the church (Col. 1:7). The term “fellow prisoner” suggests that he voluntarily remained with Paul during his house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16, 23). Mark (1:24) refers to John Mark, author of the second Gospel (cf. Acts 13:5, 13; 15:37, 39). Aristarchus was a Thessalonian and traveling companion with Paul (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Col. 4:10). Demas was a companion of Paul’s (cf. Col. 4:14) who deserted him during his last imprisonment (2 Tim. 4:10). Luke was the Gentile physician, companion of Paul, and author of the third Gospel and Acts (Acts 16:10; Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11).


Discussion and reflection question

Paul says “refresh my heart in Christ. What does this mean to you?