Tonight we are discussing Paul’s letter to Philemon. In this letter, Paul gives us a very specific example of our ethical duties to each other that we read about in the second half of Ephesians. This email is available online.
Philemon: (vv.4-7)
As he did in Ephesians, Paul opens the body of this letter with a Thanksgiving. Paul’s prayer here, however, is not a thanksgiving for the work of God in Christ, but for the work of Philemon in the gospel. v.4. Paul praises Philemon for who he is – a man of love and faith and someone who has given Paul joy and love. v.5. Paul reminds Philemon how he has shared his faith and knowledge of Christ with others. v.6. Philemon even hosts a local Christian congregation in his own home. v.1.
Paul’s manner of addressing Philemon gives us a good example of how to speak truth in love and with maturity to each other. Eph. 4:15. Paul addresses Philemon as an equal, with respect, and reminds Philemon who he is in Christ Jesus. Only then does Paul make his “request.”
Useful: (vv.8-13)
Paul is going to make a “request” of Philemon, although, as Paul writes, he could command Philemon to do what Paul is asking. v.8 However, if Philemon merely fulfills Paul’s command because he has to, Paul is denying Philemon the opportunity to further grow in the love and maturity of Christ, and helping Philemon overcome his own blind spots. v.9. Paul’s concern is not only with Useful (Onesimus), but Philemon as well.
It is only halfway through the letter, that Paul mentions Useful and the purpose of his letter. Paul makes a personal claim on Useful. He calls Useful his child because it is Paul who baptized Useful. v.10. Paul also baptized Philemon (v.19b), thereby showing how the slave Useful and the owner Philemon are spiritual brothers in Christ through Paul. Paul also shows the equality between Paul and Useful by Paul’s continued emphasis on his imprisonment, just as Useful’s social position imprisons him. vv.9-10, 13.
The Ask: (vv.14-22)
Paul tells Philemon he is sending Useful back to him despite Useful being useful to Paul and serving Paul on Philemon’s behalf. vv.11-13. Useful is actually fulfilling Philemon’s duties to Paul. Paul self-sacrificially sends Useful back to Philemon hoping that Philemon will do the same. v.13. But Paul needs Philemon’s consent – in the legally binding sense of the word – before anything else can happen. v.14
Paul wants four things from Philemon (vv.15-20): (1) that Useful be received in the same manner that Paul would be; (2) that Useful, Paul’s very heart, not be harmed in any way; (3) that Useful be freed from his slavery; and (4) that Useful be allowed to return to Paul. For Paul, however, Philemon must also be free to act as he wants upon Useful’s return, be free to set Useful free or not, and be free to allow Useful to return to Paul or not. Only within freedom can Philemon grow in Christ. Paul wants Philemon to voluntarily come to the conclusion that Useful is his brother and partner in Christ – not only spiritually but in a legally-binding, worldly manumission way. v.16b.
Paul ends his ask, with a written promise to repay Philemon for any financial damages caused by Useful (despite, as Paul says, Philemon owing Paul his very soul.) v.19. Paul writes that he is confident that Philemon will make the right decision and go beyond even what Paul requests. v.21
Benediction: (vv.23-24)
Like his opening greeting, Paul’s final greeting contains a host of others. He mentions Epaphras. This man is also mentioned at the close of Colossians (Col. 4:12) and his name is a shortened form of the name “Epaphroditus” that we met in Philippians (Phil. 2:25). Paul also mentions four others – two of which most likely went on to write a Gospel. Although Paul’s letter is from one person to another, it truly is from one community to another because the Christian life is never led individually.
Upcoming Schedule:
10/29 – Philemon
11/5 – Hymn Sing
11/12 – WNC Christmas Stockings Assembly
11/19 – The Gospel in the Old Testament
11/26 – Thanksgiving Eucharist (RSVP Required!)
12/3 through 4/22/25 – Study of Luke’s Gospel
Dinner is at 6. The menu is Hungarian Ghoulash and Halloween Pie. Discussion about 6:45. Hope to see you here!
Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:11