Reference: Philemon, Epistle To
Easton
was written from Rome at the same time as the epistles to the Colossians and Ephesians, and was sent also by Onesimus. It was addressed to Philemon and the members of his family.
It was written for the purpose of interceding for Onesimus (q.v.), who had deserted his master Philemon and been "unprofitable" to him. Paul had found Onesimus at Rome, and had there been instrumental in his conversion, and now he sends him back to his master with this letter.
This epistle has the character of a strictly private letter, and is the only one of such epistles preserved to us. "It exhibits the apostle in a new light. He throws off as far as possible his apostolic dignity and his fatherly authority over his converts. He speaks simply as Christian to Christian. He speaks, therefore, with that peculiar grace of humility and courtesy which has, under the reign of Christianity, developed the spirit of chivalry and what is called 'the character of a gentleman,' certainly very little known in the old Greek and Roman civilization" (Dr. Barry). (See Slave.)
Hastings
PHILEMON, EPISTLE TO.
1. Occasion and contents.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
You were a slave when you were called? Never mind. Of course, if you do find it possible to get free, you had better avail yourself of the opportunity. But a slave who is called to be in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord. Just as a free man who is called is a slave of Christ read more. (for you were bought for a price; you must not turn slaves to any man). Brothers, everyone must remain with God in the condition of life where he was called.
For this reason I Paul, I whom Jesus has made a prisoner for the sake of you Gentiles ??2 for surely you have heard how the grace of God which was vouchsafed me in your interests has ordered it,
As the Lord's prisoner, then, I beg of you to live a life worthy of your calling,
Be sure of this, that no one guilty of sexual vice or impurity or lust (that is, an idolater) possesses any inheritance in the realm of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with specious arguments; these are the vices that bring down God's anger on the sons of disobedience. read more. So avoid the company of such men. For while once upon a time you were darkness, now in the Lord you are light; lead the life of those who are children of the light (for the fruit of light consists in all that is good and right and true),
for the sake of which I am in custody as its envoy. Pray that I may have freedom to declare it as I should.
It is only natural for me to be thinking of you all in this way, for alike in my prison and as I defend and vindicate the gospel, I bear in mind how you all share with me in the grace divine.
What does it matter? Anyhow, for ulterior ends or honestly, Christ is being proclaimed, and I rejoice over that; yes and I will rejoice over it.
Servants, obey your masters here below at every point; do not work simply when their eye is on you, like those who court human favour, but serve them with a single heart out of reverence for your Lord and Master.
Masters, treat your servants justly and fairly; remember you have a Master of your own in heaven.
and pray for me as well, that God may give me an opening for the word, to speak of the open secret of Christ for which I am in custody.
let your talk always have a saving salt of grace about it, and learn how to answer any question put to you.
He is accompanied by that faithful and beloved brother Onesimus, who is one of yourselves. They will inform you of all that goes on here.
This salutation is in my own hand, from Paul. 'Remember I am in prison. Grace be with you.'
This salutation is in my own hand, from Paul. 'Remember I am in prison. Grace be with you.'
Paul a prisoner of Christ Jesus and brother Timotheus, to our beloved fellow-worker Philemon,
I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers; for as I hear of your love and loyalty to the Lord Jesus and to all the saints, read more. I pray that by their participation in your loyal faith they may have a vivid sense of how much good we Christians can attain. I have had great joy and encouragement over your love, my brother, over the way you have refreshed the hearts of the saints. Hence, although in Christ I would feel quite free to order you to do your duty, I prefer to appeal to you on the ground of love. Well then, as Paul the old man, who now-a-days is a prisoner for Christ Jesus,
I prefer to appeal to you on the ground of love. Well then, as Paul the old man, who now-a-days is a prisoner for Christ Jesus,
I prefer to appeal to you on the ground of love. Well then, as Paul the old man, who now-a-days is a prisoner for Christ Jesus, I appeal to you on behalf of my spiritual son born while I was in prison. It is Onesimus!
I appeal to you on behalf of my spiritual son born while I was in prison. It is Onesimus!
I appeal to you on behalf of my spiritual son born while I was in prison. It is Onesimus! Once you found him a worthless character, but now-a-days he is worth something to you and me.
Once you found him a worthless character, but now-a-days he is worth something to you and me.
Once you found him a worthless character, but now-a-days he is worth something to you and me. I am sending him back to you, and parting with my very heart.
I am sending him back to you, and parting with my very heart. I would have liked to keep him beside me, that as your deputy he might serve me during my imprisonment for the gospel;
I would have liked to keep him beside me, that as your deputy he might serve me during my imprisonment for the gospel;
I would have liked to keep him beside me, that as your deputy he might serve me during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness to me might come of your own free will, without any appearance of constraint.
but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness to me might come of your own free will, without any appearance of constraint. Perhaps this was why you and he were parted for a while, that you might get him back for good, read more. no longer a mere slave but something more than a slave ??a beloved brother; especially dear to me but how much more to you as a man and as a Christian!
no longer a mere slave but something more than a slave ??a beloved brother; especially dear to me but how much more to you as a man and as a Christian! You count me a partner? Then receive him as you would receive me,
This is in my own handwriting: 'I Paul promise to refund it' ??not to mention that you owe me, over and above, your very soul.
This is in my own handwriting: 'I Paul promise to refund it' ??not to mention that you owe me, over and above, your very soul. Come, brother, let me have some return from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ.
Come, brother, let me have some return from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. I send you this letter relying on your obedience; I know you will do even more than I tell you.
I send you this letter relying on your obedience; I know you will do even more than I tell you. And get quarters ready for me, for I am hoping that by your prayers I shall be restored to you.
And get quarters ready for me, for I am hoping that by your prayers I shall be restored to you.