Bible 120 – New Testament
Notes on Philemon
I. Preliminary
A.
Authorship – probably Pauline. There is generally held to be a close
connection between Colossians and Philemon. Pauline authorship is generally
supported for Colossians though some scholars feel that additions were made to
the epistle at a later time. As early as Origin, the letter of Philemon was ascribed
to Paul. Both Macion and the Muratorian fragment hold that it is a Pauline letter.
B.
Destination – Some believe that Philemon is the letter from Laodicea in
Col. 4:16. The names in this letter and in Colossians are the same: Onesimus,
Archippus, Epaphrus, and Demas. It is thought that Colossians and Philemon
were written at the same time to the same or to neighboring churches (whether
or not the slave was owned by Philemon or Archippus is unsettled). It is thought
that Archippus lived either in Colossae or Laodicea (Col 4:16-17). Most
authorities indicate that Paul was writing from Rome in prison late in his career.
However, Ephesus has been suggested as an alternative place of his
imprisonment. It would be much closer to Colossae than Laodicea. Paul asks
that lodging be prepared for him. That would make it more likely that he was
close to them. Yet it would seem that this Colossians which was written at the
same time comes later in Paul’s life than his Ephesian stay. II Cor. 11:23 talks
about “far more imprisonments.” Was this one of them? Came from Rome or
Ephesus.
C.
Theme: liberation. Request from Paul that young Onesimus, a slave, be
freed.
D.
Condition: Onesimus was a runaway slave. He had robbed his owner
(probably Philemon). This request is astounding in view of the fact slaves of this
type were given brutal treatment, even thrown to wild beasts. The reason for it is
that the owner was a Christian and Philemon had become a Christian.
II. Content
A.
Salutation and blessing (1-3)
1.
Addressers
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Bible 120 – New Testament
a.
Paul – prisoner of Jesus Christ’s two meanings: one, that
Paul was in prison because of his service in the gospel; two, that Paul was a
prisoner of the love of Christ, for His love binds us to freedom and to the Lord’s
work. Paul certainly was a slave to Christ, for in Christ, he was freed from the
burden of the Law.
b.
Timothy our brother
Timothy was not physical brother of Paul but a spiritual brother in Christ.
Paul had met Timothy in Lystra on missionary journey and had taken him as a
spiritual son. Timothy studied for the ministry under Paul and did his “internship”
under Paul’s tutelage.
2. Addressees
a. Philemon – normally considered a wealthy slave owner, and the
head of a house.
b. Apphia, Archippus – some have suggested that Apphia was
Philemon’s wife and Archippus was Philemon’s son. Others say that these were
not related but separate individuals who would have had an interest in this letter.
c. “church in thy house” – pronoun “thy” may refer to Philemon or
Archippus. Traditionally to Philemon but could refer to Archippus. If the church
were the house of Archippus, then Col. 4:17 becomes meaningful. The “ministry
which thou hast received of the Lord” could be the matter referred to by the
Philemon letter: the freeing of Onesimus for Christian service.
Churches had only houses (or possibly synagogues) in which to
meet. The house church was like a Marxist cell group. It met wherever and
whenever it could and was intensely dedicated to the work of the gospel.
3. Blessing – grace and peace
“Grace” of God is free, unmerited gift of God’s love and forgiveness which
comes to us through Christ from God. “Peace” is reconciliation with God, men,
and self; unity; wholeness; integration of personality which is seen is a state of
“health” and not sickness.
B.
Paul’s Expression of Gratitude (4-7)
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Bible 120 – New Testament
1.
Gratitude expressed to God (4). We spend too much time
complaining to God or making requests as if God were a Sears mail-order
catalogue. Paul includes a section on thanksgiving in each of his letters. Are we
thankful to God? Why not express our thanks and live out a spirit of gratitude?
Thankful for Jesus Christ, thankful for life, thankful for families, thankful for our
Christian family
2.
Cause of thanksgiving (5) – Philemon’s love and faith toward the
Lord Jesus and all his saints. Paul is appealing to the best in Philemon. The
apostle is utilizing the power of positive thinking and the power of expectancy.
He does not take a negative approach toward Philemon, for he would never be
able to get Philemon in position to grant his request. The way that we relate to
all the saints of God and to Jesus should be love and not hate, envy, or jealousy.
Love is possible because of faith. Faith is a verb and not a noun. In faith
we trust Jesus; we also trust the saints. This means that we live among them
expecting the Lord’s blessings to be upon them. We take them into our
confidence because they are our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We allow a
bond to form between ourselves and them. I too, would give thanks if we
enjoyed that kind of relationship.
3.
Paul’s fond desire (6). Obscure verse. Troubled textual tradition
“that the sharing of your faith may become effectual through coming to know
every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus”
Paul is attempting to say that he hopes that the good he is doing in Christ Jesus
(his example, his witness) may stimulate Philemon to share his faith or make
Philemon’s sharing of his faith more effectual in all of his Christian activity but
especially in the matter of Onesimus the runaway slave.
Are we doing any good in Christ Jesus that might stimulate someone else
to share their faith more effectively or to live by faith more effectively? People
will usually notice what we do more than they will notice what we say.
4.
Paul’s joy – lay in the fact that Philemon was already demonstrating
his love and faith. The “bowels of the saints” had been refreshed by him. This
means the “affection of the saints.” What Philemon had done actually was to be
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Bible 120 – New Testament
a blessing to the saints of his church already at some time in the past. Is not that
what we are called to do in Christ – to be a blessing?
Songs:
“Make Me a Blessing,” “Make Me a Channel of Blessing”
Paul was referring to this example of the active love and faith of Philemon to use
as a precedent or as a stimulant to accomplish his desires with regard to the
slave Onesimus.
C. Paul’s Request (8-10)
A. Concession (8) Paul realized that he could have ordered Onesimus to
do his duty (that which is required). Paul’s boldness is an outgrowth of his sense
of authority as an apostle. We, too, have duty as Christians to do those things
which Christ tells us to do. What does Christ tell us to do? The story of the rich
ruler (Luke 18: 18-23); Love God and love your fellow man. What authority do
we have as Christians? He is the authority of a life of consonant with the will of
God. He is a spiritual authority.
B. Appeal to Philemon (9) Paul did not appeal to his authority (duty) but he
appealed to Philemon’s sense of love. He also appealed as one aged or as an
ambassador (  ) and as one in chains. There was
something authentic about Paul’s appeal, for he was a hard worker. He would go
anywhere or do anything for the Lord. His sincerity was authenticated by his
many prison books. He was not asking of Philemon anything which he himself
would not do. He was calling on Philemon for sacrifice, and Paul himself was a
master of sacrifice. Sacrificial living is what Christianity is all about.
3.
Paul asks for Onesimus (10) “his son” whom he had begotten in his
bonds. Paul was Onesimus’s spiritual father, proving that it did not matter where
one witness to someone else; disciples of Christ can be made anywhere. C.
Coson’s ministry to the sick and dying is never too late. Paul appealed on behalf
of this outcast. Jesus can take any sinner, outcast, etc., and make a new man
out of him. Isn’t there someone in our hearts for whom we yearn?
What is the meaning of “for?” Does Paul want Onesimus related to him or
is he simply appealing on behalf of the runaway slave? Either way, Paul
demonstrates that God can use us whoever and whatever we are.
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Bible 120 – New Testament
a.
Once unprofitable to Philemon (11) He was a runaway thief,
but in Christ he had changed and had the capability of being a tremendous asset.
There is a play on words. “Onesimus” means I had not lived up to his name;
now, in Christ he was living up to his name. His usefulness was as a servant in
God. Kingdom work.
b.
Paul has sent Onesimus back to Philemon as he out to have
done. The apostle did not take unfair advantage of his friend. But it was hard to
let him go, for it was like sending Philemon Paul’s own heart (bowels or
affections), so deeply did he love this young man.
c.
13: Paul would have retained him in the place of Philemon to
minister to Paul in the “bonds of gospel” (that is, in prison for the gospel). It is
possible that Paul even seriously considered doing this.
d.
14: The apostle decided this course of action feeling that
such a tactic would force Philemon’s hand. He would rather have Philemon
release Onesimus willingly without compulsion. We should appeal to one
another’s best sides and not compel each other to do things. Ask so that we may
respond willingly, realizing all the while that we may say no.
4.
15-16: Paul suggests that Philemon lost Onesimus for a season
(providence) so that he might receive him back forever but no longer a slave. He
would be a brother. Onesimus was already a brother to Paul; why could he not
be a brother to Philemon in the Lord?
This letter is not a prescription for revolution, but it is one isolated incident
in which Paul asks a Roman-Christian slave owner to let God’s will rule in giving
this slave freedom and a chance to minister.
5.
Request of Paul that Philemon receives his runaway slave as if he
were receiving Paul himself. 17: Because of their friendship and partnership in
Christ, Paul asks Philemon to do this.
6.
What about the debt of money owed by the slave? Paul would pay
it all; this was a written guarantee (18-19). Good Samaritan part for the injured
man. Jesus paid for our sins.
D.
Paul’s expectation of Philemon (20-22)
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