The Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to Philemon

The Epistle to Philemon Who is Philemon? + ‘Philemon’ is a Greek name, meaning ‘Lover.’ + He was a citizen of Colossae, as it was said about his slave, Onesimus, that he was one of the Colossian residents: “A faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you” (Colossians 4:9) + It is possible that he was one of St. Paul’s own converts, where he became Christian in Ephesus, during the apostle’s long stay there: “Not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides” (Philemon 1:19)

The Epistle to Philemon + He was considered among those in the high class and was of great love, liberality and true friendliness: “For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother” (Philemon 1:7) + The believers used to gather in Philemon’s house and from them the church was formed, thus we see St. Paul writes ‘The Church in your house,’ which could refer as well to Philemon’s true Christian family: “To the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house” (Philemon 1:2) - It is likely that Apphia was Philemon’s wife and Archippus his son, who…

The Epistle to Philemon seemed to have a leading role in the service: “And say to Archippus: Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it” (Colossians 4:17) + Philemon was ordained as a bishop over Colossae. Time and Place of Writing: + The epistle was written in Rome by the hand of Onesimus, during St. Paul’s 1st imprisonment around A.D. 62: “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus” (Philemon 1:1)

The Epistle to Philemon “My fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus” (Philemon 1:23) - Hence, the epistle is one of St. Paul’s ‘Captivity Epistles,’ in addition to those sent to the Ephesians, the Philippians, and the Colossians. + It was written at the same time as that of the epistles to Colossae and Ephesus. It was sent to Philemon by Onesimus, who was accompanied by Tychicus. Both carried the epistle to the Colossians, and Tychicus carried the one to the Ephesians: “Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus” (Colossians 4:7-9)

The Epistle to Philemon “But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose” (Ephesians 6:21-22) + This epistle is strongly connected to the epistle to the Colossians for they were written during the same time and were sent to the same city. With the exception of Justus, the two epistles incorporate greetings from the same persons: “Epaphras… greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers” (Philemon 1:23-24) “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you,…

The Epistle to Philemon welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus… Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you…  Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you” (Colossians 4:10-12,14) - However, the epistle differs than the one to the Colossians in that it is a personal letter. Not to ignore though, that it was sent as well to Philemon’s household and to the believers gathered at his house. Characteristics of the Epistle: 1. The epistle is magnificent and rich, revealing St. Paul’s delicate feelings, his kind manner and his good relations with his friends. 2. It is characterized with eloquence, gracefulness and plasticity for what it has of courtesy and good manners. That is why some scholars have…

The Epistle to Philemon called it the: ‘Well mannered epistle.’ 3. In it, the apostle addresses Philemon in phrases that are both skillful in speech, and of delicate heartedness. Eloquently, he reminds Philemon himself of his indebtedness to St. Paul, having become Christian on his hands. And while he has great trust in whatever he commands, he still does not command but rather requests: “Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you” (Philemon 1:8-9) 4. St. Paul points to the spiritual benefits that proceeded from what we call material loss: “Who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me” (Philemon 1:11)

The Epistle to Philemon 5. The story contained in this epistle is an expression of what Christ did for us. He, not only intercedes for us when we disobeyed and went astray, but rather does what is far greater. He Himself has paid our debts: “Put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay” (Philemon 1:18-19) 6. Perhaps the Holy Spirit deemed it proper to preserve this epistle for our benefit, for it shows the value of each soul in God’s heart and thus in the hearts of his shepherds. Purpose of Writing: 1. St. Paul sent Onesimus, meaning ‘Beneficial,’ to Philemon carrying this epistle to ask for his forgiveness, urging Philemon to receive him,…

The Epistle to Philemon in spite of his prior misconduct, that Onesimus, being his slave, had stolen from his master and fled to Rome, where he met St. Paul during in his 1st imprisonment, and believed on his hands: “But if he has wronged you or owes anything” (Philemon 1:18) 2. Though St. Paul wanted to keep Onesimus for his own service during his imprisonment in Rome, yet he did not want to do so without his master’s agreement: “Whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary” (Philemon 1:13-14)

The Epistle to Philemon 3. St. Paul asked Philemon to treat Onesimus in light of the Christian love, which elevates the value of man equating all the people alike: “No longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord” (Philemon 1:16) - Hence, this personal letter proceeding from God’s servant is like a symbol of social reorganization, where Christianity breaks the yoke of slavery. Receiving the Epistle: + The Coptic Synexarium states that when Onesimus took the epistle to his master Philemon, the latter was pleased by his faith and repentance and treated him as the apostle commanded. Furthermore, he offered…

The Epistle to Philemon him more money but Onesimus refused saying, ‘I am rich with Christ’. + Onesimus then bid Philemon farewell and returned to Rome. He continued to serve St. Paul until his martyrdom and deserved to be ordained as a priest. + Tradition says that St. Onesimus then became bishop of Pirie and was martyred. Contents: I. Salutation: (vv. 1-3) “To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer” (Philemon 1:1)

The Epistle to Philemon II. Thanksgiving and Prayer: (vv. 4-7) “I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgement of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus” (Philemon 1:4-6) III. St. Paul’s Plea: (vv. 8-22) 1. An Appeal for Onesimus: “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains” (Philemon 1:10)

The Epistle to Philemon “I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart” (Philemon 1:12) 2. Philemon’s Obedience Encouraged: “If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me” (Philemon 1:17) “Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord” (Philemon 1:20) “Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say” (Philemon 1:21)

The Epistle to Philemon “But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you” (Philemon 1:22) IV. Farewell: (vv. 23-25) “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen” (Philemon 1:25)