Introduction

Epistle to Philemon

Philemon, whom the Church numbers among the seventy Apostles, lived in the city of Laodicea or, as some believe, in Colossae (see Col 4:15). He was a friend and coworker of the Apostle Paul. In his house there was a Christian church, and Christian travelers found shelter there. The reason the Apostle addressed this epistle to Philemon was as follows. Onesimus, the slave of Philemon (Col 4:9), somehow displeased his master and, from fear of punishment, ran away from him. At that time he met the Apostle Paul, and the latter turned him toward Christ, and after some time sent Onesimus, in the company of Tychicus, to his master. In doing so he addressed an epistle to Philemon to dispose him toward forgiving the runaway slave. This epistle was written, probably, shortly after the epistle to the Colossians was written, namely during the first Roman imprisonment of the Apostle Paul.

Introduction and greeting (1–3). Praise of Philemon (4–7). Petition for Onesimus (8–12). Paul would willingly have kept Onesimus with him, but does not wish to do this without the consent of Philemon (13–20). Concluding remarks and greetings (21–24)

Philemon 1:1. Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and coworker, “A prisoner of Jesus Christ” — see the epistle to Eph 3:1.

Philemon 1:2. and Apphia, our beloved sister, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: “Apphia, our beloved sister.” A funerary inscription of some Apphia from Colossae is known, on a monument located near Balbura, in the village of Trimelic: “Herm — to Apphia, his wife, daughter of Tryphon, by birth from Colossae, in memory.” — Archippus — see Col 4:17.

Philemon 1:4–7. I thank my God, always remembering you in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, so that the fellowship of your faith may become active in the knowledge of every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and encouragement in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Everything that the Apostle had until now heard about Philemon stirred up gratitude in the Apostle toward God and prompted him to pray for Philemon. The Apostle had indeed received reports of the “faith” that Philemon has in the Lord Jesus and of the “love” that he shows toward all Christians (in verse 5 there is the figure called chiasmus). Therefore the Apostle prays that the faith of Philemon, which he possesses — just as firm as the faith of the Apostle Paul (“the fellowship of your faith”) — would be demonstrated in works, and namely would first lead him to the most complete knowledge of what great blessings he has received together with his household church in Christ Jesus and together for Jesus Christ, that is, for furthering the work of Christ (εις Χρ. Ιησ.). At this point (Phlm 1:7) the Apostle indicates why he called the faith of Philemon “common with his faith”: to the Apostle suffering in chains, news brought consolation of the care which Philemon showed toward other Christians found in difficult circumstances.

Philemon 1:8–12. Therefore, having great confidence in Christ to command you what is proper, I rather appeal to you on the basis of love — I, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ; I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my chains: he was once unprofitable to you, but now he is profitable to you and to me; I am sending him back to you; welcome him as you would welcome my very heart. Because of this the Apostle appeals to Philemon not with commands, but, as to a friend, with a petition, in the spirit of Christian love. Let Philemon fulfill his petition — the petition of “Paul” (the Apostle to the Gentiles), the petition of “an old man” (old men ought generally to be listened to with respect) and the petition of “a prisoner of Christ” (who should be comforted in every way). The Apostle begs Philemon that he receive his slave Onesimus, who from being unprofitable has become useful, both to Philemon, to whom he will now serve as a faithful Christian slave, and to the Apostle, who has received consolation from his conversion to Christ.

Philemon 1:13–14. I wanted to keep him with me so that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, so that your benefit might be not as a matter of compulsion, but as a matter of willingness. In order to inspire in Philemon the finest feeling and disposition to fulfill his petition, the Apostle says that he was so assured of Philemon’s affection for him that he even wanted to leave Onesimus with himself, so that this latter might replace his master to the Apostle, who, if this were possible, would certainly not refuse to serve the Apostle Paul in chains. But — the Apostle adds — I did not wish this to be done as though by compulsion on my part.

Philemon 1:15–20. Perhaps he was separated from you for a while for this very purpose, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but as more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, and how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you regard me as a partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it — not to mention that you owe me your very self. Yes, brother, I want to have benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. Perhaps the very separation of Onesimus from Philemon has taken place for this purpose, that it might lead to their reunion forever. So the Apostle did not wish to violate the rights of Philemon, but now he persuades him to receive Onesimus with the same friendship with which he would have received the Apostle himself. In doing so he takes upon himself to repay any material loss which Onesimus has caused his master.

Philemon 1:21–22. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do more than I say. Also prepare a guest room for me; for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted to you. The Apostle is confident that Philemon will fulfill his petition, and as a sign of his gratitude, he entrusts Philemon with preparing a room for him, as he hopes to be released from chains and to set out to the valley of the Lycus River, where Philemon lived.

Philemon 1:23–25. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers. Compare Col 4:10 and following. — “The grace of the Lord...” see Gal 6:18. * * * Dibelius. Commentary on the Epistle to Philemon, p. 132, 1912, German language.