He’s Now Your Brother! Paul’s letter to Philemon, Adapted from a Ron MacArthur sermon http://www.sermoncentral.com/print_friendly.asp?ContributorID=&SermonID=65907

1. He’s Now Your Brother!Paul’s letter to Philemon Church Leader Adapted from a Ron MacArthur sermonhttp://www.sermoncentral.com/print_friendly.asp?ContributorID=&SermonID=65907

2. The letter to Philemonis sandwiched in between TitusandHebrews, it is one of a small group of personal letters that Paulwrote. They are grouped together and include 1 & 2 Timothy,Titus, and Philemon. All of Paul’steaching letters were sent to churches in certain cities or provinces, but these four letters are directed to specific individuals. So they may give us a more personal view of Paulin everyday life.

3. Paulwrote the letter to Philemonin approximately 57-60A.D. probably during his first imprisonment in Rome. This letter was written at about the same time that he wrote his letters to the church at Ephesis (Ephesians) and to the church at Colosse (Colossians).

4. The subject of the letter is a runaway slave named Oneisimuswho had ‘apparently’ stolen some money or things of worth from Philemon, his master, and fled to Rome where he could blend in with the large population and not be easily found. Somewhere in his travels he became involved with Pauland the Christian Church in Rome. It is apparent that he became a believer and a much loved co-worker with Paul.

5. The Greeting Philemon 1:1 NETFrom Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer, 2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house. 3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

6. Paulidentifies himself and mentions Timothy.Philemonisaddressedas a “dear friend and colaborer” which shows there was a warm personal relationship already established between PhilemonandPaul.“Apphia our sister” Most consider Apphiato be Philemon’s wife &Paul’ssisterin Christ.

7. ForArchippushe uses the term “fellow soldier” which is the term he used for Epaphroditus. Philippians 2:25 NETBut for now I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to me in my need. Fellow soldier andcoworkerwould be interchangeable. Again showing that this was a man of Christian influence. Many commentators suggest ArchippusisPhilemon’s son or brother in-law.

8. “the church that meets in your house” "Up to the third century we have no certain evidence of the existence of church buildings for the purpose of worship; all references point to private houses for this. In Rome several of the oldest churches appear to have been built on the sites of houses used for Christian worship." (Oesterley)

9. Prayer and thanks 4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. 6 I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ. 7 I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

10. 4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayersIt deserves attention, that he at the same time prays for that very thing for which he “gives thanks.” Philemonhad been such a blessing to Paulso he prayed often and was grateful for him. I remember you means that Pauldid not always pray long, intricate prayers for Philemon, but he did often remember,mention, Philemonin hisprayers.

11. PaulremindsPhilemonthat he is thankful to God for him because, even in Rome, “I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.” According to the commentators verse 6is hard to translate. 6I pray that the faith you share with us… Paulprays that Philemonwill actively share the faith with ussounds like witnessing or preaching. Actively sharing, “may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.”

12. On the other hand the word translated share is used in some of Paul’s other letters when he talks about monetary support. Romans 15:26 NETFor Macedonia and Achaia are pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. The KJV also translates the word as communion&fellowshipin other passages.

13. A 3rd viewpoint is Paulis talking about the faith in Christ that they have in common. Any or all could be true. Philemonis sharing their mutual faith in Christ by telling others & also sending money to supportPauland others who are spreading the Word.

14. 7I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother AgainPaulmentionsgreatjoy and encouragement he has because… the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you(Philemon). (Probably in three ways, spiritually, financially and physically)

15. Now, if you were going to write a letter to someone requesting a huge favor wouldn’t you use a beginning format like this? A warm greeting, a prayer of thanksgiving for them which builds them up and encourages them to read the remainder of the letter with warmth and a smile in their heart.

16. An Appeal of Love 8So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper, 9 I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love — I, Paul, an old man and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus — 10 I am appealing to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become during my imprisonment, that is, Onesimus, 11 who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me.

17. Paulcontinues by saying he could use his authority as an Apostle to order Philemonto do what he asks. (Note that he doesn’t, but the fact that it has been written puts the idea in Philemon’s head anyway)But instead he appeals on the basis of love. “I, Paul, an old man and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus…I am appealing to you concerning my child …Onesimus, Who became my son while I was in chains.”

18. Note how Paulis using psychology by still referring to his own sufferings while bringing up the subject of the runaway slave.11who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me. [Onesimusmeans “useful.”] Note Pauladding value to Onesimusby relating his usefulness to himself.

19. 12I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you. 13I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel. 14However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness. He is your Brother Now

20. 15 For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

21. Notice how Paulputs great value on Onesimusin verse 12I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you.It’s like sending you back a piece of me!13I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.He is doing the same kind of job for me that you would do if you were here. He could take your place in helping me’.

22. 14However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.What is Paulsaying here? Is he saying I sent him back to you so that you might do the favor and send him back to me? Or is he just asking for spontaneous acceptance of Onesimus’ return toPhilemon?

23. 15For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally, 16no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

24. AgainPaulmasterfully appeals to the Christianity of Philemon. Since Onesimusis a believer now he will be a better man and will be trustworthy and work with you.Why does Paulmake this continuous plea for Onesimus? To us he seems to be over doing it. But there is good reason for Paul’s appeal; it deals with Onesimusvery life.

25. Under Roman law (which was the law of the land at that time) a returned slave could be killed if his master determined to do so. Paulwas being very sure thatPhilemonunderstood his meaning. And we will continue to see Paul’s appealing to Philemon’sChristian character for the remainder of the letter.

26. If He Owes You, You Owe Me More 17Therefore if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 Now if he has defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what he owes to me. 19 I, Paul, have written this letter with my own hand: I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self.

27. Again on a personal level, “So if you regard me as a partneraccept him as you would me.” (comrade-in-arms–MSG,friend-CEV)Now what more could he ask of Philemon? How much more pressure could he exert to save Onesimus’ life? Surely he would welcome Paul, his brother in the faith with open arms and Paulis saying welcome Onesimusthe same way! Now that is tremendous loving pressure!

28. And even more! “Now if he has defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what he owes to me.”Paulknew about the Good Samaritan didn’t he? Could it get more personal than that? Yes it could! 19I, Paul, have written this letter with my own hand:

29. NOTE: This is only one of a couple of times in his epistles that Paulactually writes something in his own hand. It is speculated that Paulhad some sort of eye trouble—Notice that he says in Galatians 6:11 NETSee what big letters I make as I write to you with my own hand!

30. So here Pauladds the most personal touch that he can, surely all the believers know about his vision problem but here he says “I am making this as personal as I can by writing it myself.”

31. I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self. As his child in the Gospel, Philemonowed to Paulmuch more than the trifle of money of which Onesimushad robbed him; namely his spiritual life, which he had received through the Apostle’s ministry. But he will not insist on that. True love never presses its claims, nor recounts its services.

32. Claims which need to be urged are not worth urging. A true, generous heart will never say, "You ought to do so much for me, because I have done so much for you." To come down to that low level barter is a dreadful descent from the heights where the love which delights in giving should ever dwell.

33. Does not Christ speak to us in the same language? We owe ourselves to Him, as Lazarus did, for He raises us from the death of sin to a share in His own new, undying life. As a sick man owes his life to the doctor who has cured him, as a drowning man owes his to his rescuer, who dragged him from the water and breathed into his lungs till they began to work of themselves, as a child owes its life to its parent - so we owe ourselves to Christ.

34. But He does not insist upon the debt; He gently reminds us of it, as making His commandment sweeter and easier to obey. Every heart that is really touched with gratitude will feel, that the less the giver insists upon his gifts, the more do they impel to affectionate service.

35. To be perpetually reminded of them weakens their force as motives to obedience, for it then appears as if they had not been gifts of love at all, but bribes given by self-interest; and the frequent reference to them sounds like complaint. But Christ does not insist on His claims, and therefore the remembrance of them ought to underlie all our lives and to lead to constant glad devotion. (Maclaren)

36. Confident You Would Obey 20Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Since I was confident that you would obey, I wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more than what I am asking you to do.

37. Paulis sure of the response he will get, knowing full well that he has completed this task as directed by the Holy Spirit. What a trial lawyer he would have been!I May Stop By To Check On You The closure and a point of interest maybe unseen by others.22At the same time also, prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.

38. Now this is a seemingly innocent closure statement, “prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.”But think about it, it also is a means of making sure that Philemonfollows through with Paul’s request about Onesimus.Philemonwould have some tall explaining to do if Paulwere to visit him and find out that Onesimushad been killed or treated badly.

39. So is it a nice friendly goodbye or is it a way of saying, “I may be stopping by to check up on you brother Philemon?” Makes you think doesn’t it? 23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you. 24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my colaborers, greet you too. 25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

40. Five of the then faithful ministers with Paul are mentioned in the 23rd&24thverses.Epapras, a faithful Christian and founder of the Church at Colosse. Mark(John Mark) the writer of the Gospel of Mark, AristarchusPaul'scompanion on his third missionary tour, and dragged into the theater with Gaius by the mob at Ephesus. According to tradition he was martyred during the persecution of Nero.

41. Demaswho would later desert Paul. (2Tim 4:10) And finally Lukethe writer of the letters called The Gospel of Lukeand The Acts of the Apostles.So here we have a masterfully written letter. One that tugged at the heartstrings, leaned heavily on a Christian’s faith and forgiveness, and trusted heavily in the value of a relationship between two men, PaulandPhilemon.

42. Paulgoing the extra mile for Onesimusis a wonderful testimony to his character. Paulsaid if this man owes any debt at all charge it to me. And now he’s a servant of Christ like you & I, so you should treat him as a brother and forgive him. And because of thisOnesimuscould stand before Philemonwithout fear of retribution.

43. Jesus did the same thing when he went to the cross for our sins. We were unworthy and deserving of punishment for our sin but His shed blood covered our sins and paid our debt for us. Now if we accept Him as Lord and Savior, we may stand before our Father God without sin and without fear.