August 14, 2011
Evening Service

Philemon 1

 

Intro:

1. This is one of the prison epistles of Paul while in Roman custody.
2. This letter introduces the question will brotherly love really work? 
3. This letter addresses one Onesimus, a worthless runaway slave, thief, and deserter.
4. It is written to Philemon, the slave owner, and also to the family in which the church meets.
5. As we will see this letter shows us the role of Christ for us, to God the Father, as the Apostle Paul acts as redeemer, and substitute for Onesimus to Philemon.

 

LET’S LOOK AT IT.

 

Phm 1:1-25  Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer,  (2)  And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house: 

• Here we see who the letter is written too.  If this is as supposed, Paul is addressing a family.
• Philemon , the husband– dearly beloved;  and fellow laborer.  So Paul considers Philemon a fellow laborer in the work of the gospel.  This would take a special position in each of these men’s lives.
• And then Apphia, the wife, and Archippus the son, and fellow minister of the gospel.
• And as we can see the church is meeting in their house.  And this would have been fine.  The church is in its infancy at this time.  They are collectively getting together as in Act 2:46-47  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  (47)  Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
• You see eventually as the church evolves, they are kicked out of the temple, and as they grew larger they would find a common meeting place to accommodate everyone.  And as they begin to follow God’s instructions from the Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy concerning the structure of the church, they will eventually put in place a Bishop, or Pastor, and Deacons, which will comprise the Presbytery, or councilors to the Pastor.  They will learn, and accept Paul’s teaching of the 5 fold Ministry in the letter to the Ephesians.  They will learn, and accept the different gifts of the Holy Ghost, that Paul teaches in the letters to the Corinthian, and Roman church.  THE CHURCH DOES EVOLVE, AND YOU CAN READILY SEE IT IN THE SCRIPTURES.

THEN PAUL’S WONDERFUL SALUTATION:

(3)  Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

• I like this so much, I try to start my letters out with this salutation.

(4)  I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 

• He’s speaking to Philemon here, when he says, thee.  So Philemon was a special friend of Paul’s.

(5)  Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 

• Philemon’s conversation, or manner of life is well known by the Apostle, and probably others as well.  He not only loves God, but his fellow man also.  It’s a must for us Christians.  Listen to Jesus.
• Joh 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
• John said;  1Jo 4:7-11  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  (8)  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.  (9)  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  (10)  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  (11)  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
• I get the impression that Philemon had this kind of love for the saints.

(6)  That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.  (7)  For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. 

• Paul is saying “Philemon you are doing a lot of things right.  I am impressed with your actions.”

(8)  Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,  (9)  Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 

• Though I should be able with boldness in Christ to ask you this favor, but instead, for love’s sake, I will ask it.
• I am now aged, and older man.   And to think this is the same person described in Acts 7 as a young man named Saul.  Now some 30 or so years later he considers himself elderly.

(10)  I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 

• Here Paul intercedes for one of his converts while in prison.  Paul no doubts witnesses to Onesimus while both are in bonds.  And Onesimus is converted to Christianity.

(11)  Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 

• At one time he was a useless, rebellious slave to you, but now is profitable to you, and to me.  I think Paul is thinking, His testimony will win many to the Lord.  He will also serve you faithfully, and be a good servant in the house of the Lord.

(12)  Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 

• Receive him as if it were me.

(13)  Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:  (14)  But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 

• I would have loved to kept him with me, to minister to my needs, but I would not do it without you willingly offering it to be so.

(15)  For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him forever; 

• This touched my heart as I read it for the umpteenth time.  I saw a young man, rebellious, no purpose in life, no specific direction, other than being a slave all his life, but now he has accepted Jesus into his life, and has direction, and a heart filled with love.

(16)  Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord? 

• Paul said in; Gal 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
• Paul is saying, “Philemon you have every right to claim Onesimus as your bond slave, for he is, but I am asking you to receive him as a brother in the Lord.

(17)  If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.  (18)  If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account;  (19)  I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it:

• Here Paul is willing to step in and pay whatever the price is that Onesimus owes.  Just as Jesus stepped in for us to pay the sin dept, Paul is willing to do this for Onesimus.
• But then Paul puts in a little reminder.

albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 

• So evidently Philemon is a convert to the Apostle also.  

(20)  Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 

(21)  Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.  (22)  But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. 

• These words had to be very inspiring to Philemon.  Just the thought of the Apostle coming and spending some time in their presence. 

(23)  There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;  (24)  Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.  (25)  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

• And in the company of these men I write this letter, and they salute, and wish you the best in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

The Apostolic Canons (73) make him to have been emancipated by Philemon. The Apostolic Constitutions (7:46) make him to have been consecrated bishop of Berea by Paul, and martyred at Rome. Ignatius (Ep. ad Ephes. i.) makes an Onesimus the Bishop of the Ephesians. Instead of violently convulsing society by stirring up slaves against their masters, Christianity introduces love, a principle sure to undermine slavery at last; "by christianizing the master, Christianity enfranchises the slave" (Wordsworth).