Heritage Reformed Baptist Mission
PHILEMON
A personal letter with edification for all
Sermon 1
Paul to Philemon
Philemon 1-25
A Roman jail, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, a runaway slave, a Christian master - all these come together in this personal letter from the Apostle Paul to a man named Philemon who lived in the Asia Minor city of Colosse. Though some have considered this letter in connection with the institution of slavery, it is obvious slavery was not the subject of the letter. A much higher purpose motivated the Apostle Paul, namely, Christian love and forgiveness. With that purpose in mind, we will take a closer look at the letter’s contents.
Not a few of the New Testament epistles written by the Apostle Paul were written while he was chained to a Roman soldier in a Roman prison. In not one case was Paul there because he had done anything worthy of incarceration. In every case, he was there because of his faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord had saved and ordained Saul of Tarsus for one purpose - to preach the Gospel of salvation, especially to the Gentiles. They had before been without God, without Christ and, therefore, without hope. But Christ died for His people all over the world. Among the Gentiles, there was an innumerable multitude of lost sheep who had been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. To them was the apostle sent. To them he was faithful to preach the Gospel. For them he was now imprisoned, having been completely faithful to the commission the Lord had given him.
In the present imprisonment, there were with Paul several co-workers. Among them was Timothy, who was one of Paul’s special students and helpers. It is Timothy whom Paul places, along with himself, in the forefront of the letter, as though Timothy had been instrumental in writing it. Perhaps he was, but there is something more important to note here. Paul was Timothy’s spiritual father (see 1Timothy 1:2), yet he here refers to him as “brother” showing the equality of all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Not even an apostle is of higher rank than the one he led to Christ. That equality applies to every child of God no matter what position is held in the administration of the body of Christ on earth. Those who claim special rank in Christendom and lord it over others are not obedient to the Lord, at best, and are imposters, at worst.
Philemon, to whom the letter was addressed, was another whom Paul had led to Christ. He was the host of a church, perhaps the church at Colosse, at least a group of believers who met in his house. He also had been led to the Lord by Paul, perhaps during the two years Paul spent preaching the Gospel in Ephesus. It is written in Acts 19:10 that everyone in Asia heard the Word of the Lord during that time. Whether in Ephesus or in some other place along the way, Philemon had encountered God’s apostle and was converted. God knows where His lost sheep are and everyone of them will be found. None will be lost forever.
Paul’s address to Philemon as “our dearly beloved” certainly indicates Philemon was dear to Paul’s heart. But from other letters it is clear that is how Paul thought of all believers, even of those whom he had not seen and those who sometimes caused him heartache. See Romans 12:19; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 2 Corinthians 7:1 and 12:19; Philippians 4:1; and 2 Timothy 1:2.
Paul terms Philemon a “fellow laborer” indicating Philemon was involved in some ministry in the work of the Lord. Perhaps it was only that he lent his house as a place for church meetings. More likely it was also because he was active in giving testimony of the grace of God.
Of the other two people Paul mentions in the salutation of the letter, Apphia was, perhaps, the wife of Philemon and Archippus may have been their son. Whether or not that was the case, Archippus was apparently a preacher of God’s Word and may have been the pastor of the church that met in Philemon’s house. Or, he may have been co-pastor with Epaphras of the Colossian church tending the flock while Epaphras was away at Rome with Paul. Whatever his position, Paul calls him a “fellow-soldier” indicating he was definitely involved in the ministry of the Word. That title could be fitly applied to any and all believers who are actively witnessing of the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
Each of these along with the believers who met in Philemon’s house are the recipients of the apostolic blessing with which Paul typically opened the letters he wrote. That blessing is abundant proof of Paul’s deep concern and love for the churches and all who were in them.
The Apostle Paul must have spent a copious amount of time in prayer. His prayer list, as much of it as is revealed in his letters, was quite large. Philemon’s name was on it and always mentioned. That is an example of constant and consistent intercessory prayer. To always mention someone or even some thing in prayer is not “vain repetition” if it expresses a heartfelt desire in the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul’s prayers for Philemon were inspired by the report he received of Philemon’s love and faith toward the saints of God. In that, Philemon demonstrated himself to be a true believer. See 1 John 5:1.
Prayer is doubtless more effective when it is specific. Paul’s specific request for Philemon was that he would be able to effectively share his faith in Christ so that others would see and acknowledge Christ in him by the good works he did. God sees believers’ hearts and knows Christ is in them. People can only see Christ in believers by the works of faith and love they do in His name. That is what Paul heard Philemon had been doing. He prays for him to continue.
what Paul heard Philemon had been doing. He prays for him to continue. Not a few of those converted under Paul’s ministry gave him heartaches. Some questioned his authority as an apostle. See 2 Corinthians 10:8-11. Others committed outright sin. See 1 Corinthians 5:1. Still others were deceived by false teachers, especially Jews who taught believers in Galatia and elsewhere they must be circumcised and observe the Law of Moses. See Paul’s letter to the Galatians. But Philemon was not one of those. Hearing of his faith and love shown to the saints brought “great joy” and comfort to Paul.
Paul had the special authority of the Lord which was committed to him and the other of the Lord’s apostles. But rather than use that authority to command Philemon to do that for which he wrote him the letter, he entered a plea to Philemon based on the love of God which was “shed abroad in his heart.” See Romans 5:5. Paul expected that love to be considerate both of his age and of his imprisonment for the sake of the Gospel. How old in years Paul was cannot be determined for certain. Perhaps in the neighborhood of sixty! But his many trials and hardships during his ministry certainly would have taken their toll upon his physical body making him aged in that respect beyond his years.
Paul’s plea to Philemon was on behalf of his spiritual “son”, Onesimus. Even in prison the apostle’s main purpose was to lead people to Christ. He had done that with Onesimus, whose name means “profitable.” But he was far from living up to his name until he became a new creation in the Lord Jesus Christ. A slave of Philemon, Onesimus had run away from his master, made his way to Rome and, by the providence of God, came into contact with Paul. As a result, he was now, not only profitable to Philemon as a brother in Christ who would be a faithful servant, but also to Paul as a spiritual son who would gladly serve his spiritual father.
Paul writes that he “sent” Onesimus back to Philemon. Did Paul command Onesimus to return to his master? He didn’t have the civil authority to do so. Whether he used his apostolic authority to issue such a command is not certain. What is certain is this. Onesimus, now a believer, had an obligation to return to Philemon and seek his forgiveness for running away and for everything else he had done as sin against him, and to make restitution of whatever he might have stolen from him. That is an obligation every believer has and must do when it is possible to do so.
Paul really desired Onesimus to stay with him in Rome and serve him in some way. Such service would have been as though Philemon himself was doing it. However, Paul checked that desire, not wanting to do anything without Philemon’s approval. Otherwise, it would have been service as though commanded rather than service done willingly. That Paul wanted to specifically avoid. It is best, especially in service to the Lord, to do it with a willing heart rather than as simply and reluctantly obeying a command. Service done in the latter way is unacceptable even though possibly useful.
Paul’s plea to Philemon was deepened by his desire that Philemon receive Onesimus as he would receive the apostle himself. It was further deepened by consideration of the providence of God. Onesimus’ departure from Philemon’s service was used by God to bring Onesimus to salvation and thus to usefulness, not only as a servant, but also as a brother in Christ, a much greater and more lasting relationship. Paul’s plea was still further deepened by his appeal to the fact he and Philemon were companions in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. Brotherly love is a powerful incentive to do anything for others.
There was no doubt Onesimus was in debt to Philemon. It is not written, but there seems to be implication he had not only abandoned his service to Philemon, service which he was legally obliged to perform, but had also stolen something from him. Paul implies such by writing, “If he . . . owes you ought.” But then the apostle makes the extraordinary statement, “Put that on my account,” which is not just an offer to pay Onesimus’ debt to Philemon, but is a definite commitment to pay it followed by a promise to do so. In this Paul gives a perfect example of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for all His people. Whether Paul actually paid this debt or not is not known. But the sins of God’s people were paid in full when they were charged to Lord Jesus who took them in His own body on the cross, being made sin for them and suffering their punishment so they could be made the righteousness of God in Him. See 1 Peter 2:24 and 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Paul personally writes the promise to pay Onesimus’ debt. This may indicate Paul personally wrote the entire letter. If so, he changed from his usual habit of using a stenographer and then just adding his signature at or towards the end.
Though he mentions the fact of his being the instrument God used in Philemon’s conversion, yet Paul calls him “brother,” once again emphasizing the fact that there is equality of all who are in Christ. In doing so, he emphatically requests Philemon to give him “joy” and comfort for his innermost being by doing what he asks. His request is made with “confidence” because he is sure Philemon will do, not only what he asks, but even more. By that it appears he may have believed Philemon would give Onesimus liberty from slavery.
In the close of the letter, Paul requests Philemon to prepare him a guest room in anticipation of a visit by him. In doing so, Paul discloses an expectation he would be delivered from prison. When that happened it would be an act of God, Philemon having a part in it through his prayers.
As was his custom in most of the letters he wrote, Paul closes this one to Philemon with greetings from those who are with him. Epaphras, who was probably the pastor of the Colossian church, Paul calls his “fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus.” In the letter to the Colossian church, written at the same time, Paul gives that distinction to Aristarchus rather than Epaphras. This seems to indicate the title has a spiritual rather than a physical meaning. Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke Paul titles his “fellow laborers,” no doubt involved in some ministry with him and to him in his incarceration.
The benediction Paul pronounces at the last is directed to those whom he greeted at the beginning of the letter, namely, Philemon, Apphia, Archippus and the church which met in Philemon’s house. Paul, like his Lord, was no respecter of persons, invoking the blessings of God upon all God’s people. That is an example for all believers to follow.