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
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that bother you. Of course, if you have a chance to become free, take advantage of the opportunity. For the slave who has been called to belong to the Lord is the Lord's free person. In the same way, the free person who has been called is the Messiah's slave. read more. You were bought for a price. Stop becoming slaves of people. Brothers, everyone should stay in the same condition in which he was called by God.
For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of the Messiah Jesus for the sake of you gentiles.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to live in a way that is worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
For you know very well that no immoral or impure person, or anyone who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God. Do not let anyone deceive you with meaningless words, for it is because of these things that God becomes angry with those who disobey. read more. So do not be partners with them. For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for the fruit that the light produces consists of every form of goodness, righteousness, and truth.
for whose sake I am an ambassador in chains, desiring to declare the gospel as boldly as I should.
For it is only right for me to think this way about all of you, because you're constantly on my mind. Both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, all of you are partners with me in this privilege.
But so what? Just this that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched in order to please them, but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
At the same time also pray for us that God would open before us a door for the word so that we may tell the secret about the Messiah, for which I have been imprisoned.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
He is coming with Onesimus, that faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
This greeting is written with my own signature "Paul." Remember that I remain imprisoned. May grace be with you! Amen.
This greeting is written with my own signature "Paul." Remember that I remain imprisoned. May grace be with you! Amen.
1From: Paul, a prisoner of the Messiah Jesus, and Timothy our brother. To: Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker,
I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, because I keep hearing about your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus. read more. I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every blessing that is ours in the Messiah. For I have received considerable joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed, brother, through you. For this reason, although in the Messiah I have complete freedom to order you to do what is proper, I prefer to make my appeal on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an old man and now a prisoner of the Messiah Jesus,
I prefer to make my appeal on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an old man and now a prisoner of the Messiah Jesus,
I prefer to make my appeal on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an old man and now a prisoner of the Messiah Jesus, appeal to you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.
appeal to you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.
appeal to you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Once he was useless to you, but now he is very useful both to you and to me.
Once he was useless to you, but now he is very useful both to you and to me. As I send him back, it's like I'm coming along with him.
As I send him back, it's like I'm coming along with him. I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel. forced, but voluntary.
I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel. forced, but voluntary.
I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel. forced, but voluntary. Yet I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be something
Yet I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be something 15Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you could have him back forever, read more. 16no longer as a slave but better than a slave as a dear brother, especially to me, but even more so to you, both as a person and as a believer.
16no longer as a slave but better than a slave as a dear brother, especially to me, but even more so to you, both as a person and as a believer. 17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. (I will not mention to you that you owe me your very life.)
19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. (I will not mention to you that you owe me your very life.) 20Yes, brother, I desire this favor from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Messiah!
20Yes, brother, I desire this favor from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Messiah! 21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you because I know that you will do even more than I ask.
21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you because I know that you will do even more than I ask. 22Meanwhile, prepare a guest room for me, too, for I am hoping through your prayers to be returned to you.
22Meanwhile, prepare a guest room for me, too, for I am hoping through your prayers to be returned to you.