The Book Of Philemon Commentary; Part 1 Series

THE BOOK OF PHILEMON COMMENTARY; PART 1

Note: The New King James Bible is used throughout,

except where noted otherwise.

INTRODUCTION

Philemon (meaning "beloved") has only one chapter; it was written to the man called Philemon, and that is almost all we know about this person, except, of course, that which can be ascertained from the Epistle itself. It is short and of a private nature, but it is another volume of fabulous inspiration from our God.

The life of Philemon was a testimony. Paul describes it in a lovely way. He showed love toward the Lord Jesus and other believers. His faith was toward the Lord Jesus, and he was faithful to other believers.

Philemon

The authors are the Apostle Paul and Timothy (directly named in Philemon 1:1). Paul is considered the primary author. Philemon, an affluent Christian in the city of Colossae, is located in modern-day southwestern Turkey. This man was a member of the Colossian church that met in his own home. Mentioned in the book's second verse, Apphia was likely Philemon's wife, while Archippus was his son (he is also mentioned in Colossians 4:17). Both are described in ways that suggest all three family members had become believers. Philemon was wealthy enough to own a home large enough for church meetings and at least one slave named Onesimus. This slave is the primary character in the letter. He and the church members in Colossae knew Luke (writer of Luke and Acts, see Colossians 4:14) and Epaphras, who was apparently from Colossae (Colossians 4:12). The church also had close connections with churches in Laodicea and a church led by Nympha (Colossians 4:15–16). They also appear to have known, at least, the following men by name: Aristarchus, Mark, Barnabas, and Jesus called Justus (Colossians 4:10), as well as Timothy (Philemon 1:1).

The letter was written in approximately AD 60—62, during Paul's house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30–31). Based on information from Colossians and Philemon 1:22, this letter was probably written near the end of this arrest, closer to AD 62.

Philemon is the shortest of Paul's 13 letters. It is one of only four letters written to individuals; 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Philemon, and Titus. This is also one of four Prison Epistles, along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Paul wrote this letter concerning Philemon's runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus and Tychicus likely delivered the letter during the same trip described in Colossians 4:7–9. Runaway slaves, at that time, could be put to death in the Roman Empire for violating Social rules. After leaving Colossae, Philemon traveled to Rome, where he connected with Paul and became a Christian. Paul then sent Onesimus back to Colossae and back to Philemon. Onesimus carried this letter with him, which encourages Philemon to forgive his slave and release him. Tradition states that Onesimus later became a leader in the church.

COMMENTARY

1PAUL, A PRISONER[1] OF CHRIST JESUS, AND TIMOTHY[2], OUR BROTHER,

This letter is from Paul, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. I greet you from the 12 tribes of the Jews scattered among the nations of the world. The letter was written in approximately AD 60—62, during Paul's house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30–31). Based on information from Colossians and Philemon 1:22, this letter was probably written near the end of this arrest, closer to AD 62.

Philemon is the shortest of Paul's 13 letters. It is one of only four letters written to individuals; 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Philemon, and Titus. This is also one of four Prison Epistles, along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Paul wrote this letter concerning Philemon's runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus and Tychicus likely delivered the letter during the same trip described in Colossians 4:7–9. Runaway slaves, at that time, could be put to death in the Roman Empire for violating social rules. After leaving Colossae, Philemon traveled to Rome, where he connected with Paul and became a Christian. Paul then sent Onesimus back to Colossae and back to Philemon. Onesimus carried this letter with him, which encourages Philemon to forgive his slave and release him. Tradition states that Onesimus later became a leader in the church. Paul accepted Onesimus as a fellow believer in Christ, despite being a runaway slave. Onesimus was also from Colossae, which is why Paul could claim he "is one of you."

The first thing Paul states is that he is a prisoner of Jesus Chrest. He was not made a prisoner by Christ, though he was caught, restrained, and detained by Christ as a prisoner at his conversion. However, that is not what he intended here: instead, Paul was a prisoner at Rome for the sake of Christ, on account of professing him and preaching in his name.

His chains were for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. He was not a prisoner for any capital crime and therefore had no reason to be ashamed of his chains, nor was he. Rather he gloried in them, as shown by his taking the title "prisoner of Christ" and a humble character to himself. Prefixing it to this epistle shows which title he chooses to use, rather than that of a servant of God, or an apostle of Christ, as he does in another place. Therefore, he might not show his authority by restraining him in chains. Instead, by love, he will move the pity and compassion of Philemon to grant his request and kindly receive his former servant into his home. But, should he deny him entrance, affliction would be added to his captivity.