Philemon

Pray Psalm 113.1, 2.
Praise the LORD!
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
Praise the name of the LORD!
Blessed be the name of the LORD
From this time forth and forevermore!

Read Philemon 1.1-3.

Prepare.
1. Who are these people to whom Paul wrote this brief letter?

2. What does Paul desire for them? Why?

Meditate.
Some commentators count Philemon among the pastoral epistles, while others do not. We are including it in this series, along with Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, because it is written, to a pastor, albeit indirectly (Philemon is the primary addressee), concerning a very specific pastoral and ecclesiastical matter.

Who are these people to whom Paul addressed this letter? First, they are a house church among the several that made up the church in Colossae (v. 2), a city in southern Asia Minor. The mention of Archippus here and in Colossians 4.17 makes this connection for us. Again, here is another glimpse at how churches were organized under Paul’s leadership. There was one church in a community (to which Paul addressed the book of Colossians), but that church consisted of many house churches, such as the one that met in Archippus’ house (cf. 1 Cor. 1.11, 16). Archippus was a “fellow soldier” with Paul, thus signaling his role as a pastor.

Paul considered Philemon a co-laborer in the Gospel – perhaps an elder in the church that met in Archippus’ home. He seems to have been a man of means, since he owned at least one slave, and he had a house large enough to include a guest room (v. 22). Paul considered him a “fellow laborer” in the work of the Gospel, perhaps because of his financial support of the work, but also because he refreshed the souls of those who labored in the Gospel (vv. 7, 20). Philemon was the primary addressee of this epistle. Apphia may have been his wife or a prominent woman within the church (the Greek adds “our sister” after her name).

Paul’s purpose in writing was to increase grace and peace among all the recipients – that the individuals may know grace and peace, and that the house church may as well. The way grace and peace are to be realized will be completely unlike the way people in the unbelieving world seek these, as we shall see. The issue to be dealt with was of such a nature that the entire church would have to be involved. Yet the principals addressed in the letter would have to take the right steps to make sure that the grace and peace of God flourished as Paul intended.

This brief epistle is little more than a postcard, sent by Paul, who was being held under house arrest for the sake of the Gospel in Rome. Timothy also had a hand in the shaping of this letter (v. 1), if only to affirm with Paul its purpose and contents. As we shall see, the letter to Philemon is rich with practical advice for bringing the new era of the Kingdom to refreshing and transforming expression.

Reflect.
1. What advantages did the first Christians enjoy by organizing their churches around households? Are we missing something by not doing this today?

2. Why are grace and peace so important for a believer and the church?

3. Would you describe yourself as a “fellow laborer” with Paul? Explain.

While keeping the social order here, Paul does not call some indiscriminate multitude “the church,” but only those who are bound together in faith. This bond sets the frame for Paul’s appeal in the letter. Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428), Commentary on Philemon

Make me an agent of grace and peace today, Lord, as I…

Pray Psalm 113.1-6.
You will be under the watchful eye of our all praiseworthy God throughout this day. What do you want Him to see? Commit your day to the Lord, for His blessing and direction.

Sing Psalm 113.1-6.
Psalm 113.1-6 (Amageddon: Who Is On the Lord’s Side?)
Praise the Lord, O praise Him, all who know His Name!
From this day forever, magnify His fame!
From the time each morning when the sun is raised,
to its evening waning, let His Name be praised!
Refrain vv. 1, 2
Praise the Lord, O praise Him, all who know His Name!
From this day forever, magnify His fame!

High above the nations, on Your glorious throne,
who is like You, Savior, ruling all You own?
Sovereign and all-knowing, over all above,
praise to You is owing for Your perfect love!
Refrain

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).