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
If you were a servant when you became a Christian, let it not be a grief to you; but if you have a chance to become free, make use of it. For he who was a servant when he became a Christian is the Lord's free man; and he who was free when he became a Christian is the Lord's servant. read more. It is the Lord who has made payment for you: be not servants of men. My brothers, let every man keep in that condition which is the purpose of God for him.
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles,
I then, the prisoner in the Lord, make this request from my heart, that you will see that your behaviour is a credit to the position which God's purpose has given you,
Being certain of this, that no man who gives way to the passions of the flesh, no unclean person, or one who has desire for the property of others, or who gives worship to images, has any heritage in the kingdom of Christ and God. Do not be turned from the right way by foolish words; for because of these things the punishment of God comes on those who do not put themselves under him. read more. Have no part with such men; For you at one time were dark, but now are light in the Lord: let your behaviour be that of children of light (Because the fruit of the light is in all righteousness and in everything which is good and true),
For which I am a representative in chains, and that I may say without fear the things which it is right for me to say.
So it is right for me to take thought for you all in this way, because I have you in my heart; for in my chains, and in my arguments before the judges in support of the good news, making clear that it is true, you all have your part with me in grace.
What then? only that in every way, falsely or truly, the preaching of Christ goes on; and in this I am glad, and will be glad.
Servants, in all things do the orders of your natural masters; not only when their eyes are on you, as pleasers of men, but with all your heart, fearing the Lord:
Masters, give your servants what is right and equal, conscious that you have a Master in heaven.
And making prayer for us, that God may give us an open door for the preaching of the word, the secret of Christ, for which I am now in chains;
Let your talk be with grace, mixed with salt, so that you may be able to give an answer to everyone.
And with him I have sent Onesimus, the true and well-loved brother, who is one of you. They will give you word of everything which is taking place here.
I, Paul, give you this word of love in my handwriting. Keep in memory that I am a prisoner. Grace be with you.
I, Paul, give you this word of love in my handwriting. Keep in memory that I am a prisoner. Grace be with you.
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear helper in the faith,
I give praise to God at all times and make prayer for you, Hearing of the love and the faith which you have to the Lord Jesus and to all the saints; read more. That the faith which you have in common with them may be working with power, in the knowledge of every good thing in you, for Christ. For I had great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been made strong again through you, brother. And so, though I might, in the name of Christ, give you orders to do what is right, Still, because of love, in place of an order, I make a request to you, I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner of Christ Jesus:
Still, because of love, in place of an order, I make a request to you, I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner of Christ Jesus:
Still, because of love, in place of an order, I make a request to you, I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner of Christ Jesus: My request is for my child Onesimus, the child of my chains,
My request is for my child Onesimus, the child of my chains, Who in the past was of no profit to you, but now is of profit to you and to me:
Who in the past was of no profit to you, but now is of profit to you and to me: Whom I have sent back to you, him who is my very heart:
Whom I have sent back to you, him who is my very heart: Though my desire was to keep him with me, to be my servant in the chains of the good news, in your place:
Though my desire was to keep him with me, to be my servant in the chains of the good news, in your place:
Though my desire was to keep him with me, to be my servant in the chains of the good news, in your place: But without your approval I would do nothing; so that your good works might not be forced, but done freely from your heart.
But without your approval I would do nothing; so that your good works might not be forced, but done freely from your heart. For it is possible that for this reason he was parted from you for a time, so that you might have him for ever; read more. No longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother, very dear to me specially, but much more to you, in the flesh as well as in the Lord.
No longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother, very dear to me specially, but much more to you, in the flesh as well as in the Lord. If then you take me to be your friend and brother, take him in as myself.
I, Paul, writing this myself, say, I will make payment to you: and I do not say to you that you are in debt to me even for your life.
I, Paul, writing this myself, say, I will make payment to you: and I do not say to you that you are in debt to me even for your life. So brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: give new life to my heart in Christ.
So brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: give new life to my heart in Christ. Being certain that you will do my desire, I am writing to you, in the knowledge that you will do even more than I say.
Being certain that you will do my desire, I am writing to you, in the knowledge that you will do even more than I say. And make a room ready for me; for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be given to you.
And make a room ready for me; for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be given to you.