Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
PHILEMON
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Application Notes
1:1 Paul wrote this letter from Rome in about AD 60, when he was under house arrest (see Acts 28:30-31). Onesimus was a domestic slave who belonged to Philemon, a wealthy man and a member of the church in Colossae. Onesimus had run away from Philemon and had made his way to Rome, where he met Paul, who apparently had led him to Christ (Philemon 1:10). Paul convinced Onesimus that running away from his master wouldn't solve all his problems, and he persuaded Onesimus to return to Colossae even though serious punishment could await him there. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon to encourage him to reconcile with his runaway slave.
1:1 For more information on Paul's life, see his profile on page 1899. Timothy's name is included with Paul's in 2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, the last three of which are from a group known as the Prison Letters. Timothy was one of Paul's trusted companions, and Paul wrote two letters to him: 1 and 2 Timothy. See Timothy's profile on page 2103.
1:1 Philemon was a Greek landowner living in Colossae. He had converted to following Christ under Paul's ministry, and the Colossian church met in his home.
1:2 Apphia may have been Philemon's wife. Archippus may have been Philemon's son or perhaps an elder in the Colossian church. In either case, Paul included him as a recipient of the letter, possibly so Archippus could read the letter with Philemon and encourage him to take Paul's advice. Paul mentions that Timothy also was sending the letter, perhaps so Philemon would know that Paul was not alone in making this request
1:2 Often, the early churches met in people's homes. Because of sporadic persecutions and the great expense involved, church buildings were typically not constructed at this time.
1:4-7 Like cold water on a long hike, this Christian brother Philemon knew how to be refreshing. He was able to revive and restore his brothers and sisters in the faith. His love and generosity had replenished and stimulated them. Philemon had also encouraged Paul by his love and loyalty. Are you a refreshing influence on others, or do your attitudes and temperament add to the burden they carry? Instead of draining others' energy and motivation with complaints and problems, replenish their spirits with encouragement, love, and a helpful attitude.
1:6 Paul's prayer for Philemon was setting the stage for the request he would make in this letter. Philemon was active in his faith and generous in sharing its blessings. As he gained a fuller understanding of all that Christ had done on his behalf, this knowledge would likely have caused him to respond appropriately to Paul's request regarding Onesimus. Are you active and effective in sharing your faith, your resources, and your love? How have you experienced a generosity of spirit in your own life as a result of your walk with God? What are the good things you experience in Christ? Put your generosity into action by sharing your time, resources, and wise counsel with others.
1:8-9 Because Paul was an elder and an apostle, he could have used his authority with Philemon, commanding him to deal kindly with his runaway slave. But Paul based his request not on his own authority but on Philemon's Christian commitment. Paul wanted Philemon's heartfelt. not grudging, obedience. When faced with the prospect of confronting someone about a specific issue, do you appeal to your authority or to the other person's commitment? Like Paul, assume the person has good intentions, not malice in his or her heart, and present your request boldly.
Paul provides a good example of how to deal with conflict between Christians. When reconciling a separation or mediating a dispute, trust must be rebuilt between the conflicting parties. Notice the steps that Paul took to help rebuild the trust: (1) He identified with those involved, calling Philemon "brother" (1:7) and Onesimus "my son" (1:10). (2) He requested--not ordered--Philemon to do what was right. (3) He sought Philemon's voluntary consent, not his submission to rules or authority. (4)He appealed to Christian love, not to power or authority. (5) He agreed to absorb the loss and pay any cost for restoration. Instead of overusing power or position, use Paul's approach to rebuild a trusting relationship.
1:10-17 From his prison cell, Paul had led Onesimus to the Lord. Paul urged Philemon to do the unimaginable-not only to forgive his runaway slave who had become a Christian, but also to move beyond forgiveness to accepting Onesimus as a brother. As Christians, we should forgive as we have been forgiven (Matthew 6:12; Ephesians 4:31-32). True forgiveness means that we treat the person we've forgiven as we would want to be treated. Who do you still need to forgive? If the person is a believer, extend kindness to him or her as a brother or sister in Christ. If the person is not a believer, extend kindness to him or her as a demonstration of the forgiveness Christ extends to all people, even though we don't deserve it.
1:10 A master had the legal right to kill a runaway slave, so Onesimus feared for his life. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon to help him understand his new relationship with Onesimus, who was now a Christian brother, not a mere possession. "Who became my son" means that Onesimus had become a Christian.
1:11-15 Onesimus's name means "useful." Paul used a play on words, saying that Onesimus had not been much use to Philemon in the past but now had become very useful to both Philemon and Paul. Although Paul wanted to keep Onesimus with him, he was sending Onesimus back, requesting that Philemon accept him not only as a forgiven runaway servant but also as a brother in Christ.
1:15-16 Slavery was widespread throughout the Roman Empire. In these early days, Christians did not have the political power to change the slavery system. Paul didn't condemn or condone slavery, but he did work to transform relationships. The gospel begins to change social structures by changing the people within those structures. (For more on master-slave relationships, see 1 Corinthians 7:20-24; Ephesians 6:5-9; and Colossians 3:22-4:1.)
1:16 What a difference Onesimus·s status as a Christian made in his relationship with Philemon. He was no longer merely a slave, but he was also a brother. That meant that both Onesimus and Philemon were members of God's family--equals in Christ. A Christian's status as a member of God's family transcends all other distinctions among believers. These distinctions today include men and women of different backgrounds and races, refugees or foreigners and native-born citizens, people with education and people with no education, and people who are rich and people who are poor--none of these distinctions separate us in Christ. Some Christians look down on their fellow believers because they feel they are superior to them in some way. Remember, we are all equals before Christ (Galatians 3:28). How we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ's family reflects our true understanding of the grace and mercy Jesus has shown us.
1:17-19 Paul genuinely loved Onesimus. Paul showed his love by personally guaranteeing payment for any stolen goods or wrongs for which Onesimus might be responsible. Paul's investment in the life of this new believer certainly encouraged and strengthened Onesimus·s faith. Your church most likely has young believers who need you to demonstrate such self-sacrifice toward them. Joyfully invest in the lives of others, helping them through Bible study, prayer, encouragement, support, and friendship.
1:17 Paul called Philemon his partner, but he did not mean a partner in the business sense of the word. Philemon was a partner in grace. Paul and Philemon shared the same experience in Jesus Christ ot being saved; in that sense, they were equals. Too often, our relationships in the church don't possess true partnership but reflect merely tolerance of one another. Move beyond tolerance by asking God to help you truly care about other believers the way he loves them. Treat them as partners in God's grace and love, not just fellow workers. Let your common interest in Christ and your common feeling of gratitude for Christ's love knit you together with others.
1:19 Philemon owed himself to Paul, meaning that Paul had led Philemon to Christ. Because Paul was Philemon's spiritual father, he was hoping that Philemon would feel a debt of gratitude that he would repay by accepting Onesimus with a spirit of forgiveness.
1:22 Paul was released from prison soon after writing this letter, but the Bible doesn't say whether he ever returned to Colossae.
1:23 Epaphras was well known to the Colossians because he had founded the church there (Colossians 1:7). He was a hero to this church, helping to hold it together despite growing persecution and struggles with false doctrine. His report to Paul about the problems in Colossae had prompted Paul to write his letter to the Colossians. Epaphras's greetings to the Colossian Christians reveal his deep love for them (Colossians 4:12-13). He may have been in prison with Paul for preaching the gospel.
1:24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke are also mentioned in Colossians 4:10-14. Mark had accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 12:25-13:5) and also wrote the Gospel of Mark. Luke had accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey and was the writer of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Demas was faithful to Paul for a while but later deserted him (see 2 Timothy 4:10).
1:25 Paul urged Philemon to be reconciled to his slave, receiving him as a brother and fellow member of God's family. Reconciliation means reestablishing a relationship. Christ has reconciled us to God and to others. Many barriers come between people-race, social status, sex, personality differences--but Christ can break down these barriers. Jesus Christ changed Onesimus's relationship to Philemon from slave to brother. Christ can transform our most hopeless relationships into deep and loving friendships.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)