Philemon (2)

Pray Psalm 113.1, 7.
Praise the LORD!
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
Praise the name of the LORD!

He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap…

Read Philemon 1.4-7.

Prepare.
1. What kind of man was Philemon?

2. How did his walk with the Lord affect Paul and Timothy?

Meditate.
As a Christian, Philemon loved Jesus and had faith in him. He loved his fellow believers, and he devoted himself to refreshing their souls.. He shared his faith with others, and in so doing, realized more of the promises and blessings of the Lord (v. 6). Hearing about this man, Paul rejoiced and was greatly encouraged.

Philemon must have been a beneficiary of Paul’s ministry. Paul thought of him as his “partner” in the faith (v. 17). He called him “brother” (v. 20). Everything about the tone of this letter suggests familiarity and friendship, It is understood that Paul led Philemon to the Lord, since he reminded him that “you owe me even your own self” (v. 19).

How did Paul, a prisoner in Rome, learn about this man’s faith? Obviously, from Onesimus, the man he was about to send back to Philemon. Onesimus had been a slave in Philemon’s home. He had run away from his master, but not because Philemon was cruel. He simply wanted to be a free man.

By celebrating Philemon’s faith and love, Paul sets the table for the rest of his brief epistle. For he will ask Philemon to continue in faith and love, and in refreshing the souls of the saints, by receiving Onesimus back as a brother, and not as a slave. We can imagine that Philemon was not a little irked by this runaway, who may even have taken something as he fled (see Paul’s comment about what Onesimus might owe Philemon, v. 18). He would need the love of Jesus to be lively in him to do what Paul was asking.

Paul is calling on Philemon to take up an act of genuine Christian love, and so he begins his letter by saying, in effect, “I know you have it in you because of Jesus.” Knowing that this man he had led to Christ was continuing in the Lord and living in love for God and neighbors was a great encouragement to Paul, as it would be to any pastor, to see the members of his flock living for Christ.

Reflect.
1. What does it mean to refresh the soul of a fellow believer? When have you needed such refreshment?

2. Why does sharing our faith with others bring us more “of every good thing” which we have in Jesus? What are some of those “good things”?

3. Why was Philemon’s faith and love such a source of joy and encouragement to Paul?

Faith is said to be in Christ, because to him it especially looks; in like manner as in no other way than through him alone can God the Father be known, and in no other than in Him can we find any of the blessings which faith seeks. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Philemon 1.5

Increase my faith in and love for You, Lord Jesus, so that today I can…

Pray Psalm 113.1-7.
Thank the Lord for how He raised and lifted you, and pray for someone to encourage in the faith today.

Sing Psalm 113.1-7.
Psalm 113.1-7 (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

Though You rule from heaven, looking down on earth,
praise and thanks be given to Your holy worth!
Down You reach to touch us, clad in ash and dust,
raising us with such as in Your favor trust.
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).