Philemon is the 18th book of the new testament and the 57th of the Holy Bible. Philemon is one of the shortest books in the new testament with only one chapter of twenty five verses and was written by Paul. This short book falls between Titus and Hebrews. Some say he wrote this letter about the same time he wrote Colossians. Philemon along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians are known as Paul’s prison epistles or letters and it is believed they were written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome.
The book of Philemon is about a slave Onesimus who was Philemon’s slave who had run away and eventually ran into Paul who led him to the Lord and he got saved. It is believed that Philemon and Onesimus lived in Colosse or maybe Laodicea. Onesimus was at least a Colossian. (Colossians 4:9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.) Paul wrote this letter to Philemon who it seems Paul also led to the Lord in asking Philemon to forgive Onesimus and receive him back as a new brother in Christ rather than as a slave. Philemon had the authority under Roman law to punish Onesimus, but Paul was asking Philemon not to punish him as now he was worthy as a Christian brother. Paul reminded Philemon how much he owed Paul for leading him to the Lord and he asked for the same treatment for his former slave. The number twenty five means forgiveness of sins and as I said earlier Philemon only has twenty five verses and this book is all about forgiving sins of those who have wronged us. Eighteen means bondage and the book of Philemon is about the bondage of Onesimus and the bondage of sin of the unsaved.
Philemon teaches us that all who are Christians are equal in Jesus Christ, no matter if we are rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, servant, or free or what color of skin we have or male or female. Jesus places us all on a level playing field. Onesimus had run away from his master in Philemon for whatever reason. God guided him to Rome where he met Paul and got saved. God will often supernaturally guide people to Christians that he knows will give them the gospel they need to hear. Paul was one of those Christians. As Christians we need to be ready for someone coming to us. Paul reminds Philemon that his servant was now saved and so they were equal in Jesus Christ.
(Philemon 1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,) The first verse shows us that Paul was a prisoner at the time he wrote this book. Paul was a prisoner in Rome at the time yet he does not say he was a prisoner of the Roman emperor, but rather of Jesus Christ as it was because of his preaching of Jesus Christ that Paul was in prison. It appears that Timothy was in prison with Paul though it is possible that he was just there for encouragement and comfort though we know Timothy was in prison at least once and Paul often mentions him with him in his prison epistles. (Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.) Philemon is shown as a fellow Christian when referred to as a fellwolabourer and Paul clearly loves him.
(Philemon 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:) Paul also mentions a couple other believers with Archippus being a fellowsoldier so he must have been strong in spreading God’s word. Philemon apparently had a church in his house. Most churches were house churches at this time due to persecution of believers. History says Apphia was Philemon’s wife and Archippus his son. This may or may not be true.
(Philemon 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.) Paul wishes grace to all of them and peace, but shows these things only come from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Philemon 4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,) Paul says he thanks God and that he mentions Philemon always in his prayers. Paul was always remembering those he taught and ministered to even after he had long moved on to a new location. We should to. Paul also realizes that it is only by God that he can do this and he also thanks God for letting him having met Philemon.
(Philemon 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;) Paul said he has heard of Philemon’s great love to the Lord Jesus as well as to the saints (all true Christians). Philemon also had great faith. These two things are necessary to make a strong Christian who is a soul winner. Philemon seems to have Jesus first in his life just as he and all of us should.
(Philemon 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.) Paul tells Philemon that his faith will remain strong if he understands that all he has is due to Jesus Christ. True faith will be seen in our communication.
(Philemon 7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.) Paul said that fellow believers have been refreshed by Philemon in the great joy he brings them. When a Christian is on fire for the Lord this will bring great joy to believers especially if it is someone you led to the Lord as Paul had with Philemon.
(Philemon 8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,) Paul is saying he needs to talk to Philemon about a matter (Onesimus) and he could be bold about the matter as an apostle, but he will not use that authority, but rather seek out Philemon as a friend and brother in Christ.
(Philemon 9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.) Paul said that he would talk to Philemon not as an apostle, but in love’s sake almost as a dad to Philemon as Paul was now getting old. Paul again says he is a prisoner of Jesus Christ and not of Nero who was probably the Roman emperor. Paul is proud to be in prison for serving Jesus and not the least bit ashamed. We should not be either.
(Philemon 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:) Paul now says he is writing to Philemon on behalf of his son Onesimus. Onesimus was not a literal son of Paul, but a child in that Paul had led him to the Lord while in bonds (while still in prison). As an older Christian this would make Paul his dad as we are to treat older Christians as dads and younger as brothers. (I Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;)
(Philemon 11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:) Paul says he know Onesimus had been unprofitable to Philemon, but he says he is now profitable to him as a fellow believer. It is only Jesus who makes a person profitable. Onesimus had been an unbeliever and just a slave to Philemon, but now as a fellow believer he had become profitable as he worked for the Lord.
(Philemon 12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:) Paul says he has sent back Onesimus to Philemon as this was the right thing to do even though he was more profitable to Paul there in Rome with him. Paul says for Philemon to receive him back as if he was Paul’s own son.
(Philemon 13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:) Paul says he would have preferred to have kept Onesimus with him since he has ministered unto him while Paul was in bonds.
(Philemon 14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.) Paul says he wants Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a believer, but he as an apostle will not force Philemon to do so, but wants Philemon’s own conscience to do the right thing.
(Philemon 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;) Paul says that perhaps God had Onesimus to run away knowing that he had ordained a meeting with Paul so that Onesimus would get saved which he would not have if he had not run away. Paul says by Onesimus running away Philemon could receive him back forever as a brother in Christ rather than as a servant.
(Philemon 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?) Paul says to Philemon to no longer see Onesimus as a servant, but rather a brother in Jesus Christ. In the flesh Onesimus was a servant to Philemon, but in the Lord Philemon is a brother.
(Philemon 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.) Paul say if you see him as a partner in the service to the Lord then to receive Onesimus just as he would if Paul came. Paul was showing that all in Jesus Christ are equal including a former servant being equal with an apostle.
(Philemon 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;) Paul says to put on his account for any wrong that Onesimus had done to Philemon. Paul says you should forgive Onesimus’s debt to you, but if you cannot then Paul will pay for it just as Jesus paid for our sin debts.
(Philemon 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.) Paul says he has written with his own hand that he will repay any debt owed by Onesimus as in a signed written contract, but reminds Philemon that he owes Paul for Paul having led him to the Lord so that now Philemon has everlasting salvation which he probably would not have were it now for Paul’s preaching to him of the gospel.
(Philemon 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.) Paul says that for Philemon to honor his request would bring him great joy in the Lord not just for Paul, but also for Philemon as he believes this request is also from God. Doing the right thing would also bring joy to Philemon.
(Philemon 21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.) Paul says he has confidence that Philemon will listen to Paul’s request and will receive Onesimus as a brother. He also believes that Philemon will also do the right thing in freeing Onesimus so that he may serve the Lord.
(Philemon 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.) Paul also asks for Philemon’s prayers for his own release and for Philemon to prepare lodging for him when he comes to visit as he trusts that through Philemon’s prayers he will be released. By making this request, Paul seems to trust that his release will be soon.
(Philemon 23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;) Paul also asks for prayer for a fellow Colossian who is also in prison as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. (Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.) These men are all prisoners for preaching Jesus and not from doing any sinful thing that landed them in prison.
(Philemon 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.) Paul names some other fellowlabourers in the Lord that need to be prayed for as well. Notice that Mark and Luke are one of them to be prayed for. Remember at one time Paul did not trust Mark as he left him on the missionary field, but now he was profitable to Paul. (II Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.)
(Philemon 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.) Paul says may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with Philemon’s spirit as he reads this letter and makes his decision about Onesimus. We see again how grace comes from God. Scripture never says what Philemon ever did with Onesimus, but history seems to suggest that Philemon obeyed Paul’s request and released Onesimus from servant hood. This short book teaches us all about forgiveness and how once a person is saved they become equal with us. This applies to even a person who was a longtime enemy who then gets saved. Onesimus’ salvation was sincere as apparently he made a true change in his life to now serve the Lord and his people. His was not a fake conversion in an attempt to gain freedom. May we all as Christians grant Paul’s request that is really the Lord’s request to receive all true believers as our brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of their past, but especially those who truly love the Lord and serve him as Onesimus was doing.
