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 trouble you. No, even if you are able to gain your freedom, still do your best. For the man who was a slave when he was called to the master's service is the Master's freed-man; so, too, the man who was free when called is Christ's slave. read more. You were bought, and the price was paid. Do not let yourselves become slaves to men. Brothers, let every one remain in the condition in which he was when he was called, in close communion with God.
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus, the Christ, for the sake of you Gentiles--
I urge you, then--I who am a prisoner in the Master's cause-- to live lives worthy of the Call that you have received;
For of this you may be sure--that no one who is unchaste or impure or greedy of gain (for to be greedy of gain is idolatry) has any place awaiting him in the kingdom of the Christ and God. Do not let any one deceive you with specious arguments. Those are the sins that bring down the Wrath of God upon the disobedient. read more. Therefore have nothing to do with such people. For, although you were once in Darkness, now, by your union with the Lord, you are in the Light. Live as 'Children of Light'- - For the outcome of life in the Light may be seen in every form of goodness, righteousness, and sincerity--
On behalf of which I am an Ambassador--in chains! Pray that, in telling it, I may speak fearlessly as I ought.
And, indeed, I am justified in feeling thus about you all; because you have a warm place in my heart--you who all, both in my imprisonment and in the work of defending and establishing the Good News, shared my privilege with me.
But what of that? Only that in some way or other, either with assumed or with real earnestness, Christ is being made known; and at that I rejoice.
Slaves, always obey your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you, as if you had but to please men, but giving them ungrudging service, in your reverence for the Master.
Masters, do what is right and fair by your slaves, for you know that you also have a Master--in Heaven.
And at the same time pray for us, that God may give us an opening for our Message, so that we may speak of the truths hidden in the Christ--the truths for which I am in chains!
Let your conversation always be kindly, and seasoned, as it were, with salt; that you may know in each case what answer you ought to give.
With him will be Onesimus, our dear faithful Brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you all that is going on here.
I, Paul, add this greeting in my own handwriting. Remember these chains of mine. God's blessing be with you.
I, Paul, add this greeting in my own handwriting. Remember these chains of mine. God's blessing be with you.
From Paul, now a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, a Brother.
I always mention you in my prayers and thank God for you, Because I hear of the love and the faith which you show, not only to the Lord Jesus, but also to all his People; read more. And I pray that your participation in the Faith may result in action, as you come to a fuller realization of everything that is good and Christlike in us. I have indeed found great joy and encouragement in your love, knowing, as I do, how the hearts of Christ's People have been cheered, brother, by you. And so, though my union with Christ enables me, with all confidence, to dictate the course that you should adopt, Yet the claims of love make me prefer to plead with you--yes, even me, Paul, though I am an ambassador for Christ Jesus and, now a prisoner for him as well.
Yet the claims of love make me prefer to plead with you--yes, even me, Paul, though I am an ambassador for Christ Jesus and, now a prisoner for him as well.
Yet the claims of love make me prefer to plead with you--yes, even me, Paul, though I am an ambassador for Christ Jesus and, now a prisoner for him as well. I plead with you for this Child of mine, Onesimus, to whom, in my parson, I have become a Father.
I plead with you for this Child of mine, Onesimus, to whom, in my parson, I have become a Father.
I plead with you for this Child of mine, Onesimus, to whom, in my parson, I have become a Father. Once he was of little service to you, but now he has become of great service, not only to you, but to me as well;
Once he was of little service to you, but now he has become of great service, not only to you, but to me as well;
Once he was of little service to you, but now he has become of great service, not only to you, but to me as well; And I am sending him back to you with this letter--though it is like tearing out of my very heart.
And I am sending him back to you with this letter--though it is like tearing out of my very heart. For my own sake I should like to keep him with me, so that, while I am in prison for the Good News, he might attend to my wants on your behalf.
For my own sake I should like to keep him with me, so that, while I am in prison for the Good News, he might attend to my wants on your behalf.
For my own sake I should like to keep him with me, so that, while I am in prison for the Good News, he might attend to my wants on your behalf. But I do not wish to do anything without your consent, because I want your generosity to be voluntary and not, as it were, compulsory.
But I do not wish to do anything without your consent, because I want your generosity to be voluntary and not, as it were, compulsory. It may be that he was separated from you for an hour, for this very reason, that you might have him back for ever, read more. No longer as a slave, but as something better--a dearly loved Brother, especially dear to me, and how much more so to you, not only as your fellow man, but as your fellow Christian!
No longer as a slave, but as something better--a dearly loved Brother, especially dear to me, and how much more so to you, not only as your fellow man, but as your fellow Christian! If, then, you count me your friend, receive him as you would me.
I, Paul, put my own hand to it--I will repay you myself. I say nothing about your owing me your very self.
I, Paul, put my own hand to it--I will repay you myself. I say nothing about your owing me your very self. Yes, Brother, let me gain something from you because of your union with the Lord. Cheer my heart by your Christlike spirit.
Yes, Brother, let me gain something from you because of your union with the Lord. Cheer my heart by your Christlike spirit. Even as I write, I have such confidence in your compliance with my wishes, that I am sure that you will do even more than I am asking.
Even as I write, I have such confidence in your compliance with my wishes, that I am sure that you will do even more than I am asking. Please also get a lodging ready for me, for I hope that I shall be given back to you all in answer to your prayers.
Please also get a lodging ready for me, for I hope that I shall be given back to you all in answer to your prayers.