Commentary

Philemon

Introduction

Outline

Commentary

Works Cited

I.  Introduction (1-3)

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,  To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul
The Apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, is the author of this letter. 

a prisoner for Christ Jesus
Paul calls himself an Apostle in the opening of nine of his Epistles. But here he refers to himself as a prisoner for Christ Jesus. Most of Paul's letters were written to Churches and intended to be read to a group of people. Only the Letter to Philemon, along with 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, were addressed to individuals. These two facts give the letter a more personal feel.

Paul recognizes that in the sovereignty and providence of God he is serving a purpose and a will higher than his own. Though he was arrested by Roman officials at the behest of the Jews, the Apostle sees through spiritual eyes and understands that God still has a plan in play. Paul yields to that plan for the good and advancement of the Gospel of Christ. 

and Timothy our brother
Timothy is listed as a co-author / co-sender of the letter, though the words appear to be primarily Paul's. Paul, as an instrument of God, converted Timothy during his First Missionary Journey. Timothy became a disciple, trusted companion, and a co-laborer who was eventually ordained through the laying on of hands (1 Timothy 4:14). 

Timothy probably had little to do with the content of the letter itself. His inclusion, John MacArthur suggests, was to position Timothy as a future leader in the Church as Paul’s beloved pupil and mentee.   

To Philemon our beloved fellow worker
Philemon is the main recipient of the letter. Philemon means loving or affectionate. He is, according to the Apostle, a fellow worker in the ministry of the Gospel. 

and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier,
Additional recipients are listed.  Archippus is referred to as a fellow soldier, a reminder of the daily warfare we face. Our warfare is not against the people or governments of this world. Rather we are engaged in ongoing spiritual battle against Satan, fallen angels, and demons who combine to form the hierarchy of the Kingdom of Darkness (see Ephesians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 10:4-6).

Many writers believe through inference that Apphia and Archippus are Philemon's wife and son but this is not directly stated by the text.

and the church in your house
Though the letter to Philemon was in a sense more personal it is nonetheless addressed also to the 'church in your house' - that is to say, the local house church.

For the first couple of centuries Churches assembled in the homes of believers, not in separate buildings dedicated specifically as Churches. House Churches are also mentioned in Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, and Colossians 4:15.

In many countries around the world today where Christianity is illegal, believers meet secretly in homes at risk of persecution, arrest, or even death. It may be that the Church in the West may face a similar situation just prior to the coming of our Lord. It would not hurt for hearts and minds to begin preparing for this eventuality.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul uses this signature blessing or benediction in most of his New Testament Letters. In the days of the Apostles Greek speakers used chairein as a common greeting. This word meant rejoice. Paul adapted this greeting, using a similar word that derives from the same root - charis (χάρις), meaning grace. Peace comes from the Hebrew greeting shalom, meaning peace. Thus Grace and Peace - perhaps a nod to the revelation that Jew and Gentile believers in Christ are together heirs and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17, Ephesians 3:6). 

II. Thanksgiving and Blessing (4-7)

In the next section of the letter Paul offers Thanksgiving for Philemon and words of blessing and encouragement. There is no reason to question Paul’s sincerity but it also seems clear that he is being very diplomatic because he has a certain purpose and outcome in mind.

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers

Paul was a man of prayer as should be all Christians. Elsewhere Paul writes:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Jesus did not say if you pray, he said when you pray (Matthew 6:5-7, Luke 11:2). A prayerless Christian is an ineffective Christian.

Thanksgiving is an integral part of prayer. Having the right attitude is a sign of spiritual maturity. Those in Christ have so much for which to be grateful! 

because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus
It is a joy to see those we know and love pressing on in the Lord, growing in maturity, and bearing fruit. The Apostle John said,

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. - 3 John 1:4

and for all the saints

Those who love Christ love His Church. All who are born again are saints. It is not a special category reserved only for those who are super spiritual or holy. A true believer is a saint. 

and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective

vs 6 NLT?

The Greek word for effective can also be rendered power. Many have reduced our faith to improved morals but the Bible says the Gospel is the power of God (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1;18). Many seek this power but they intend to use it for their own plans and purposes. According to Scripture the way to power and effectiveness is through weakness death to self:

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. - 2 Corinthians 12:9  

 for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

The Apostle Paul tells the Church at Ephesus that they have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. Here is a partial synopsis of Ephesians 1:3-14, the longest single sentence in the Bible:

In Christ we are chosen, predestined, and adopted into the Family of God. We are blessed in the Beloved. We are redeemed and forgiven. The mystery of God’s will and His eternal purposes have been made known to us. We have an inheritance as Sons and Daughters of God and the Holy Spirit has sealed us as a deposit toward Eternal Life to come.  

For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

Paul calls Philemon his brother. All true believers are members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19) and included in the Father’s spiritual family. 

By Paul’s words Philemon was a fellow worker for the Gospel known for his love and faith. He actively shared his faith with others and made his home available for the local assembly at Colissae. He was likely a leader within that context. In short Philemon ministered to and blessed the saints.

III. Paul’s Appeal

Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—  I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.  

Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required,

Paul could have appealed to his Apostolic authority. An Apostle is ‘one who is sent’, selected by Jesus Christ Himself (Acts 9:15). Paul chose not to lord his authority over Philemon but to take the path of humility instead (cf. Matthew 20:25-28).

yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you

Paul’s appeal instead is based upon love.

I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus

The Apostle, likely in his 60s, appeals to Philemon’s empathy and respect

I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, 

We reach the main purpose of the letter, Onesimus is the main subject.

whose father I became in my imprisonment.

Paul, while imprisoned, led Onesimus to faith in Christ, becoming his spiritual father.

(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 

Onesimus means useful, so Paul indulges in a little word play:

Formerly ‘Useful’ was useless but now he is useful.

I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent

Paul wants Onesimus to minister with him in Rome but seeks Philemon’s permission first. Paul shows us how Christians should constantly and mutually submit one to another (Ephesians 5:21).

in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 

Philemon will be more fully rewarded before God if he is not compelled.

For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, 

An example of things working together for good for God’s people, even though at first circumstances might seem difficult or uncertain (cf. Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20). 

that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.  

Paul, still making his appeal, tells Philemon that he has gained a Brother in Christ in the eternal sense rather than receiving his slave back in a physical sense. The Apostle encourages Philemon to receive him in love as a fellow believer. 

Paul does not appeal for Onesimus’ freedom but he does ask that he be received with dignity, kindness, and respect. In Christ there is no slave or free (Galatians 3:28). 

So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.  

So if you consider me your partner

In verse 1 Paul calls Philemon a fellow worker. Here he appeals to him as his partner. Perhaps this implies that wealthy Philemon had previously supported Paul financially. 

receive him as you would receive me.

Paul asks Philemon to accept Onesimus as he would accept Paul himself. Believers are not to regard each other according to the flesh, but to acknowledge each other according to the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:16- 17). 

Runaway slaves in the Roman Empire often received the death penalty, but Paul asks for mercy and forgiveness. 

If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it

Paul offers to make restitution for whatever loss was caused by Philemon, be it lost labor or stolen property. We aren’t told exactly what occurred. 

In a similar way, the righteous Jesus took upon Himself the sins of mankind, charging them to His own account as it were. But the good news doesn’t end there - He then credits His righteousness into the accounts of those who believe.  

to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 

Paul reminds Philemon that he led him to the Lord and the gift of eternal life. Perhaps Paul is hoping Philemon will forgive whatever debt is owed.  

Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. 

The word Paul uses for benefit is oninemi, closely related to Onesimus, so he is using another play on words here. 

Refresh my heart in Christ.  

By doing the right thing of his own accord Philemon will bless and minister to Paul. 

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 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.

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 

Paul expects Philemon to grant his request and even go beyond what he asks. 

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.

The Apostle anticipates being released from prison, allowing him to visit Philemon and the people of Colossae. 

He values their prayers and takes their doing so for granted. 

IV. Closing (23-25) 

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

Compare those listed here to those listed in Colossians 4:10,14,17. (See note on Colossians in Intro.) 

Mark is John Mark, who wrote the Gospel of Mark on behalf of Peter. He was Barnabas’ nephew and had a dispute with Paul that was eventually healed (Acts 15:36-39), a fact that may have been known to the hearers of this letter.

Luke is the same physician who authored Luke and Acts. 

Epaphras was with Paul in Rome (Col 4:12), was from Colossae (Col 4:12), and was a faithful minister (diakonos) of Christ (Col 1:17).  

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.