Series: Paul’s Letters
Philemon 1:1b-3 ESV
Philemon 1:4-6 ESV
Philemon 1:7 ESV
Philemon 1:8b-12 ESV
Philemon 1:13-16 ESV
Philemon 1:17-21 ESV
Philemon 1:22 ESV
While little is known about Philemon it is believed that he was a ‘man of means’. He hosted house church in his home and he had slaves.
In Philemon 1b-3 we are told, “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.”
The overarching theme of Paul’s letter to Philemon highlights the band of believers for Christ and one very special brother in Christ.
We read in Philemon 1:4-6, “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.”
I am amazed that from a prison cell while in chains, Paul utilized the time communicating with believers throughout the region.
Conditions in a prison cell in the first century varied based on the site of the prison and the charges against the prisoner. It was common for prisoners to be chained and guarded. There were a few places in Rome Paul could have been held. Because he was a Roman citizen he could have been held under house arrest. During that time he would have had a food allowance but Paul did have the support of other believers who probably provided him with daily meals.
Paul probably would have been guarded day and night by the elite Praetorian Guard.
Near the end of his time in prison scholars believe he was held in an underground cell in Rome (https://www.olivetree.com/blog/imprisonment-in-the-roman-world/).
We also know from Paul’s letter to Philemon that he was able to have some kind of contact with other believers. He knew that Philemon exhibited love and faith toward Jesus and other believers.
Clearly, Paul utilized his time in prison to pray for the early church.
At various times in my life I have felt like I’ve been cut off from the outside world. While I pondered what God would have me do during that time, the answer was usually God wanted me to pray. That’s exactly what Paul did for the early church. His prayers would have been specific and detailed.
When I was younger that was,action oriented and I didn’t think praying was so important, but as time wore on I came to accept it. I think that’s because I had learned how very important prayer can be…it is a sacred holy task.
We know from Philemon 1:7, “I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”
Paul did not take love from a brother lightly. He counted it as a joy and a comfort as he sat alone at night in the dark.
I use the word ‘alone’ lightly because it refers to companionship from another human. Paul would not have been alone. The Spirit would have been his constant companion and Angels would have guarded him.
Paul would have known God was ever-present in his prison cell.
We know from Philemon 1:8b-12, “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.”
Onesimus was a slave of Philemon. “Onesimus had robbed his master Philemon and fled to Rome, a large city where he could easily hide. Providentially, Onesimus encountered Paul in Rome where the apostle was serving time in prison” (https://www.gotquestions.org/Onesimus-in-the-Bible.html).
At the time Paul wrote the letter it was appropriate for Paul to send Onesimus back to Philemon.
We know from Philemon 1:10 (above) that Paul held Onesimus in high regard as he considered him like a son. Even while Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon he declared he was sending his heart back.
In Philemon 1:13-16 Paul pours out compassion when he states,“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.”
We get the sense that even though sending his adopted son Onesimus back was very difficult, Paul knew it was what God wanted him to do.
Paul’s compassion and love for both Philemon and Onesimus is clear.
In Philemon 1:17-21 Paul wrote, “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. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.”
The phrase ‘refresh my heart in Christ’ was a plea from one brother in Christ to another.
In Philemon 1:22 Paul wrote, “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.”
Clearly Paul and others had been praying that Paul would be released from prison.
Scholars believe Paul was not released and during the reign of Nero he was martyred in Rome.
The story of love between Philemon, Paul, and Onesimus was a prime example of what God desires for us even today. The saying ‘Love like there’s no tomorrow’ is fitting.
Give love away generously.
Spiritual Practice: Give Love
Consider how God would have you give love.
In God, Deborah
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