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Salutation
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You on bended knees. We pray for wisdom and understanding to unlock the truth of Your eternal Word. We pray that You will speak to us through the inerrant, infallible, and inspired words of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Philemon 1:1-3
Verses 1–3, 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, 2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection
As mentioned earlier, Paul, the author of Philemon, considered himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ, not of Rome, Caesar, or Nero. In his opening greeting, Paul acknowledged his spiritual son in the faith and co-worker Timothy, by name. Paul was a prisoner of Jesus Christ because he was imprisoned according to God’s will and sanctioned by Jesus Christ, his Lord and Master.
Paul sent greetings to his beloved friend and co-worker in the ministry, Philemon. Philemon was most probably the founder of the Colossian house church. Scholars believe that Apphia was Philemon’s wife, Archippus was his son and probably the pastor of the Colossian house church.
Greek for ‘grace’ is ‘charis,’ which means getting what we do not deserve to get. Hebrew for ‘peace’ is ‘shalom,’ which means welfare and tranquillity. Paul pronounced grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace always precedes peace. When we are justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we have triple peace, peace with God, peace of God, and peace from God. The source of grace and peace is God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
1 Corinthians 4:17, For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
Romans 5:1–2, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Philippians 4:6–7, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Application
When we are justified by grace through faith in Christ, we are reconciled to God. We are no longer at enmity with God and God’s wrath to us is removed. We can come before God in His heavenly throne room with confidence and experience the peace that transcends all understanding. We have access to God and the promise of the Glories of Heaven in the future.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for justification by faith in Christ, sanctification by the Holy Spirit, salvation by grace, the promise of eternal Life, Heaven, and resurrection at Jesus’ second coming. Thank You for giving us the ultimate peace that transcends all understanding. Help us not to be anxious over anything at all, but to bring all our prayer requests to You with hearts of thanksgiving, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Paul’s Prayer
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray for wisdom, knowledge, mercy, and grace. We pray for attentiveness and mindfulness. We pray for divine insight to understand scripture. We pray for obedience and faithfulness. Some people trust in horses and chariots but we trust in the name of the Lord, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Philemon 1:4–7
Verse 4, I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
Reflection
Paul prayed thankfully, consistently, fervently, and persistently to God for Philemon mentioning him by name. Paul was a prayer warrior. He wrestled with the Lord in prayer every day.
He remembered all his friends by name and interceded for them according to their needs. Even though Philemon was so far away, Paul still took the time to pray for him. Prayer transcends distance. We can pray for our friends wherever they are. They are just a prayer away.
Verses 5–6, 5 hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, 6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
Reflection
Paul was very encouraged to hear of Philemon’s love for the Lord and the saints, for his faithful and effective ministry in Colossae. The Greek word for ‘saint’ is ‘hagios’, which means holy, sanctified, or separated to be used by God.
Christians, are saints, because they are holy, sanctified, and separated to serve God. They are a holy people, a royal priesthood, and God’s own special people1 Peter 2:9.
1 Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Verse 7, 7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Reflection
Paul rejoiced and was refreshed when he remembered the memorable times he had spent with Philemon in Ephesus. The Greek word for ‘refreshed’ is ‘anapsycho,’ which means ‘relief.’
Even though Paul was under house arrest, he found joy, encouragement, comfort, and relief by Philemon’s love and faithfulness. Paul addressed Philemon as his brother in Christ. We should address all our Christian friends as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Application
Paul was a great prayer warrior. Even though in chains, he spent times interceding for all his friends and co-workers. We should learn from the example of Paul and become prayer warriors. We should pray for all our immediate family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, church members, acquaintances, and so on, mentioning them by name and interceding for them on a personal level.
There is a spiritual battle in heaven between God’s angels and the satan’s fallen angels. The battle in the heavenly realm must first be won through prayer before we can see breakthroughs on the earthly arena.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to us through Holy Scripture. We pray for the transformation of hearts and the renewal of minds. We give You permission to do a spiritual heart transplant on us. We pray for renewed perspectives and a balanced Christian worldview. Help us to become prayer warriors and intercessors, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Paul Appealed for Onesimus
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we commit this time to You and pray for You to speak to each one of us according to our unique circumstances. We pray for opened ears, opened eyes, hungry hearts, and obedient spirits. Help us to understand Holy Scripture and apply them to contemporary living, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Philemon 1: 8–16
Verses 8–10, 8 Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus.
Reflection
Paul considered himself an elderly prisoner of Jesus Christ. Although Paul had the apostolic authority to command Philemon to free Onesimus, yet for love’s sake he preferred to appeal to him instead.
Through God’s providence, Paul had met Onesimus in the Roman prison, evangelized, discipled, mentored, and adopted him as his spiritual god-son in the faith.
Verses 11–13, 11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. Therefore, receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
Reflection
‘Onesimus’ is a Greek name which means ‘useful.’ Here is a wordplay. The Greek word for ‘unprofitable’ is ‘achrestos,’ which means ‘useless.’ The Greek word for ‘profitable’ is ‘euchrestos,’ which means ‘useful.’ Onesimus was once useless to Philemon, but now he would be useful to him.
Onesimus was born again and transformed in Rome. He had undergone a spiritual heart transplant through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Paul was now sending Onesimus back to his master Philemon. He appealed to Philemon to extend his right hand of fellowship to Onesimus just as he would to Paul.
Verses 14–16, 14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will. 15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Reflection
Although Paul wanted to retain Onesimus as his helper in Rome, he would not do this without Philemon’s consent. Paul appealed to Philemon to receive Onesimus back into his household not as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ. He was asking Philemon to release Onesimus from slavery. This was indeed a tall order.
In those days, the punishment for a runaway slave when caught was the death penalty. Paul took a risk when he sent Onesimus back to Philemon. If Philemon opposed Paul’s appeal, he could have sentenced Onesimus to death.
Application
Onesimus ran away from his master and Paul had to send him back. Perhaps we may be running away from our Lord and Master Jesus Christ by not walking with Him.
If this is the case, confess your sin, come back to Him by faith, surrender your life to Him, and be useful again.
If you have sinned, you can claim the promise of 1 John 1:9, if you confess your sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of 1 John 1:9. We acknowledge that You are Almighty God, and we, who are sinners are saved by Your grace and justified by faith in Christ. Please enable us to return to You and be useful to You in Kingdom service. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Charge to My Account
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that You are El Elyon, El Olam, El Roi, and El Shaddai. We acknowledge that You are God of the Bible, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We confess that we are sinners, justified by faith in Christ and saved by Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Philemon 1:17–22
Verses 17–19, 17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).
Reflection
Paul told Philemon to charge to his account all the criminal offenses that Onesimus had committed by unlawfully running away, stolen things from him, etc. Paul highlighted that he had written this epistle himself.
He reminded Philemon that he owed Paul his life because of Philemon’s salvation through evangelism. Paul took full responsibility for Onesimus’ debt to Philemon to procure the runaway’s forgiveness and freedom from Philemon.
Verses 20–22, 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say. 22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
Reflection
Paul drew spiritual strength by being joyful in the Lord. He appealed to Philemon to refresh his heart by forgiving and freeing Onesimus from the chains of slavery. Paul was confident that Philemon would agree to free Onesimus.
He requested Philemon to prepare a guest room for him so that he could visit him upon release from prison. Paul requested Philemon to pray for his release.
Application
We are all sinners before a Holy God. We owed a debt of sin to God that we could never repay. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty of sin on our behalf to procure our freedom from slavery and bondage sin.
Jesus appealed to His Father in His Heavenly throne room to charge our debt of sin to His account. Jesus Christ came to earth 2000 years ago, to die that death we deserve, for us, in our place.
Romans 6:23, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:21, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The epistle of Philemon is a story of forgiveness and providence. According to Christian tradition, Onesimus was freed from slavery and subsequently became a bishop of Ephesus.
Just as Philemon forgave Onesimus, Christ also forgave us. Even though we ran away from Christ, He restored us to fellowship when we came back to Him in repentance. Our Master, Jesus Christ, is full of grace and truth.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, mercy, grace, loving kindness, and faithfulness to us. Thank You for the forgiveness of sin, justification by faith in Christ, sanctification by the Holy Spirit, salvation by Your grace, and the promise of eternal life. In Jesus’’ name, Amen.
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Greetings and Benediction
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that You are Jehovah Rapha, Rohi, Jireh, Nissi, Tsidkenu, Sabaoth, Shamma, and Shalom. Thank You for truth revealed to us through the Epistle of Paul to Philemon. Thank You that Scripture cannot be broken. Thank You for ministering to us by Your Living Word of Eternal Life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Philemon 1:23–25
Verses 23–25, 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Reflection
Paul had a personal touch. He acknowledged all his co-workers by name. He sent greetings to Philemon from his co-workers in the Gospel, Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Dr. Luke. Epaphras was also a prisoner with him in the Roman prison. Paul pronounced a blessing on Philemon.
As mentioned before, Onesimus was freed from slavery and went on to become a bishop of Ephesus, according to Christian tradition. However, he was later arrested, tortured, and beaten to death by the Romans for preaching the Gospel.
Onesimus was a real person, transformed, and freed from slavery to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He suffered tremendous persecutions and was eventually martyred for his faith in Christ. The epistle of Philemon is a good illustration of Romans 8:28 at work in the life of Onesimus, the slave who had committed a capital offense by running away from his master.
Through divine providence, Onesimus was able to escape to Rome and against all odds, he managed to meet the great Apostle Paul.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul’s Gospel message saved his soul, gave him a new life, new faith, new hope, and new beginning. Reconciled to his old master Philemon and freed from slavery, he faithfully served his new Master and Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Application
The Epistle of Philemon teaches us that all things work together for good to Christians. No matter what circumstances you may be facing today, they will eventually work out in your favour for good.
Things happened for you and not to you. If you do not see this immediately, you will see it in the future. This is a promise that you can claim when you go through difficult times, especially now when the world situation is facing unprecedented times.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the epistle of Philemon. Thank You for the promise of Romans 8:28. Thank You for the forgiveness of sin, salvation, justification by faith, sanctification, and the gift of eternal life. We pray that those who have run away from You will return to You and be useful to You again in Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.