Philemon - Paul’s Plea to a Friend, on Behalf of a Slave

A. Greeting and introduction.

1. (1) The writer and the recipient.

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To

Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,

a. Paul, a prisoner: This brief letter was written by Paul during his
Roman imprisonment that begins being described in Acts 28:30-31.
There are some that believe he wrote it from time of imprisonment
in Ephesus, but this is an unlikely possibility.

b. A prisoner of Christ Jesus: As always, Paul does not consider

himself a prisoner of Rome, of circumstances, or of the religious
leaders who started his legal troubles (Acts 23-24). Paul is a
prisoner of Jesus Christ.

c. To Philemon our beloved friend: Paul writes to Philemon, a

Christian brother living in Colossae. This is the only place in the
New Testament where Philemon is mentioned by name, but we do
know that he was a beloved friend to Paul.

i. Paul’s friendship with Philemon is shown by something

significantly missing in his greeting. Of the 13 letters Paul
wrote to churches or individuals, in 9 of them he calls
himself an apostle in the opening verse. In this letter (along
with Philippians and 1 and 2 Thessalonians), Paul appeals
to his reader more as a friend and less an apostle.

2. (2-3) Greetings to the household of Philemon.

To the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the

church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

a. Apphia was probably the wife of Philemon, and Archippus

probably his son. This address to family members is unique
among the letters of Paul, but it makes sense considering the
content of the letter to Philemon. Paul will appeal to Philemon
regarding a runaway slave who has met Jesus and found refuge
with Paul. In the customs of that day, Philemon’s wife Apphia was

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 the “supervisor” of the slaves in the household, so the letter
concerned her also.

i. Regarding the escaped slave, “She is as much a party to

the decision as her husband, because according to the
custom of the time, she had day-to-day responsibility for the
slaves.” (Rupprecht)

b. To the church in your house means that the church - or a

portion of the church - in Colosse met in the house of Philemon.
The earliest Christians had no property of their own for church
buildings. The Jews had their synagogues, but Christians met in
the homes of their members. The Christians of a city would be
gathered into different “house churches” with a city “bishop”
overseeing the different “house churches.” House churches are
also mentioned in Romans 16:5 and Colossians 4:15.

c. Grace to you and peace: Paul gives his customary greeting of

grace and peace, found in each one of his letters. However, this
greeting is not directed towards an entire congregation, but to
Philemon as an individual. This makes the letter unique among
Paul’s writings.

i. The other Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus)

are also written first to individuals, but the character of their
content suggests that they were intended to be shared with
the entire congregation. Philemon really is a personal note
written by Paul to one man.

i. “It is only one sample of numberless letters which must

have been written to his many friends and disciples by one
of St Paul’s eager temperament and warm affections, in the
course of a long and chequered life.” (Lightfoot)

3. (4-7) Paul’s thanks God for Philemon.

I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus
and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become
effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you
in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love,
because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

a. I thank my God, making mention of you always in my

prayers: Paul prayed often for Philemon, and he prayed with
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 thanksgiving to God. Philemon had been such a blessing to Paul
that prayed often and gratefully for him.

i. In Paul’s letters, four times he says he makes mention for

people: To the Romans (Romans 1:9), to the Ephesians
(Ephesians 1:16), to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians
1:2), and here at Philemon 4.

ii. Making mention means that Paul did not always pray
long, intricate prayers for Philemon, but he did often make
mention of Philemon in his prayers.

b. Hearing of your love and faith: Paul thanked God for Philemon
because of his love and faith - first towards Jesus and then
towards all the saints. “Saints” in the New Testament describes
every true Christian, not just a few exceptional Christians.

c. That the sharing of your faith: Paul prayed for Philemon,

desiring that the sharing of his faith would become effective as
Philemon understood the work God did in him (every good thing
which is in you).

i. This is the foundation for all effective evangelism: the

overflow of a life touched and changed by God. God had
done every good thing in the life of Philemon. Now, it was
a matter of it being acknowledged by both Philemon and
those he shared the faith with. When these good things
were understood, others would come to Jesus. The reason
why some sharing of the faith in not effective is because
we don’t know or can’t communicate every good thing God
has done for us.

ii. The sharing of your faith: It is possible that Paul means

the sharing of material things, prompted by faith. The
ancient Greek word for sharing is koinonia, and sometimes
Paul used koinonia, which means “fellowship, sharing,” to
describe giving (2 Corinthians 8:4; 9:13; Romans 15:6).

d. Because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by

you, brother: Paul remembered how wonderfully Philemon had
met the needs of other Christians. He effectively refreshed the
hearts of others.

B. Paul’s plea on behalf of Onesimus.

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 1. (8-11) Paul speaks to Philemon regarding Onesimus

Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you

what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you; being such a
one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ; I
appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in
my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to
you and to me.

a. Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command

you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal: It is clear
that Paul will ask a favor of Philemon. Before he asks, he appeals
for love’s sake instead of making a command. Of course, under
the surface Paul has made it clear that he has the right to
command you what is fitting - yet he appeals in love.

i. A loving appeal is often better than an authoritative

command. Paul wasn’t hesitant to command when the
situation demanded it (1 Corinthians 5:4-5), but in wisdom
he knew when to use the loving appeal.

b. Being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner
of Jesus Christ: It is clear Paul will ask a favor of Philemon.
Before he asks, he appeals to Philemon’s sympathies by the way
he describes himself (Paul, the aged) and his circumstances (a
prisoner).

i. Since Paul will make his appeal based on love, he does

what he can to stir up the loving sympathy of Philemon.
“Philemon, before I tell you what I need from you, remember
that I’m an old man, and a prisoner at that.”

ii. Some translations have ambassador instead of aged.

There is a difference of one letter between the two ancient
Greek words.

c. I appeal to you for my son Onesimus: Onesimus was an

escaped slave, who escaped from his master Philemon. It seems
that when Onesimus escaped, he fled to Rome and - intentionally
or not - met with Paul. Paul, though under house arrest by the
Romans, led Onesimus to the Lord (whom I have begotten while
in my chains).

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 i. It was logical that Onesimus escaped to Rome, the
biggest city of the Roman Empire. Lightfoot says, “Rome
was the natural cesspool for these offscourings of
humanity.” But at his providential meeting of Paul in Rome,
Onesimus met the man who had led his master Philemon to
Jesus (Philemon 19).

ii. When Paul makes this appeal on behalf of Onesimus, he

follows deep running traditions in Roman culture. There was
an ancient Greek law, inherited by the Romans, allowing any
escaped slave sanctuary at an altar. The altar could be the
hearth of a private family home; then the head of the family
was obligaeted to give the slave protection while he tried to
persuade him to return to his master. If the slave refused,
the head of the family would put the slave up for auction and
give the price for the slave to the former master. Paul gave
Onesimus protection, and how is working the issue out with
Philemon.

d. My son Onesimus: Paul often spoke of his converts as his

“children.” Timothy (1 Corinthians 4:17), Titus (Titus 1:4), the
Corinthian Christians (1 Corinthians 4:14) and the Galatian
Christians (Galatians 4:19) are each called Paul’s “children.”

e. Who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to

you and to me: In some way, Onesimus became profitable to
Paul. Perhaps he served as an assistant to Paul during his house
arrest. So Philemon’s slave Onesimus was now unprofitable to
Philemon, since he had escaped. But he has become profitable to
Paul - and to Philemon (profitable to you and me). Since
Philemon loved Paul, if Onesimus helped Paul he was helping
Philemon also.

i. When Paul speaks of Onesimus being unprofitable and

profitable, he makes a play on word. The name Onesimus
means profitable. Now that he is a Christian, Onesimus can
live up to his name

ii. “It is significant to note that Paul claims that in Christ the
useless person has been made useful.” (Barclay)

iii. By making this clear to Philemon, Paul gently hints that

he would like to retain the services of this escaped slave -
though he will not command Philemon to do this.

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 2. (12-14) Paul sends Onesimus back with the hope that Philemon will
allow him to return again to Paul.

I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own
heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might
minister to me in my chains for the gospel. But without your consent I
wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by
compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

a. I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is,

my own heart: Onesimus had done something wrong: escaped
from his master. It was time to set that right, so Paul will send him
back. Yet Paul obviously wants Philemon to deal gently with
Onesimus. Under Roman law the slave owner had complete and
total control over his slave. It wasn’t unusual for slaves to be
crucified for lesser offenses than escaping.

i. One ancient writer describes how a slave was carrying a

tray of crystal goblets, and he dropped and broke one. The
master instantly demanded the slave be thrown into a
fishpond full of lampreys that tore the slave to pieces.
“Roman law . . . practically imposed no limits to the power of
the master over his slave. The alternative of life or death
rested solely with Philemon, and slaves were constantly
crucified for far lighter offenses than this.” (Lightfoot)

ii. Considering the huge number of slaves in the Roman

Empire, they thought the harsh punishment against escaped
or rebellious slaves was necessary. In an Empire with as
many as 60 million slaves, there were constant fears of a
slave revolt. Therefore, laws against runaways were strict.
When captured, a runaway slave might be crucified, or
branded with a red-hot iron on the forehead with the letter
“F” for fugitive.

iii. Considering this, we understand Paul’s phrase that is,

my own heart. “Philemon, I know this man has done you
wrong and deserves to be punished. But consider him as
my own heart and be merciful to him.”

b. Whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he

might minister to me in my chains for the gospel: Clearly, Paul
wants Onesimus to stay, because he has become a big help. Paul
“sweetens” his appeal in three ways.

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 i. First, if Onesimus stays he can serve Paul on your behalf.
“Philemon, if you leave Onesimus with me, it’s like you
serving me, because Onesimus is your rightful servant.”

ii. Second, if Onesimus stays he helps a man in chains.

“Philemon, I know Onesimus might be of some use to you.
But I’m in chains, and need all the help I can get.”

iii. Third, if Onesimus stays he helps man in chains for the

gospel. “Philemon, please don’t forget why I’m here in
chains. Remember that it is for the sake of the gospel.”

c. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing: Paul makes

his appeal, and makes it strong and skillfully. At the same time, he
really does leave the decision to Philemon. He will appeal in love,
but he won’t trample over the rights of Philemon.

d. That your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it

were, but voluntary: This explains why Paul would not force a
decision on Philemon. If Paul demanded it, then Philemon’s good
deed would come by compulsion, and not be voluntary. This
makes the whole affair unpleasant, and robs Philemon of any
reward he might have had.

i. Essentially, Paul gives Philemon the freedom to do what is

right in love before the Lord, and he gives the freedom to do
it on his own choice, not out of Paul’s compulsion.

3. (15-16) Paul explains the providential hand of God at work in

Onesimus’ escape.

For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might
receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave; a
beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in
the flesh and in the Lord.

a. Departed for a while: It is true that Philemon departed, but

Paul will send him back. Somehow, departed for a while doesn’t
sound nearly as bad as escaped slave.

b. For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose: In

some ways, the escape of Onesimus was nothing but trouble. It
deprived Philemon of a worker and an asset. It made Onesimus a
criminal, possibly subject to the death penalty. Yet in it all, Paul

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 can see a purpose of God, and he wants Philemon to see the
purpose also.

i. For perhaps is important. It shows that Paul did not come

to Philemon like this: “Philemon, God has shown me His
hidden hand at work, and you must accept what I see also.”
Instead, for perhaps means Paul’s heart is like this:
“Philemon, it seems to me that God is working in unusual
ways here. Let me tell you what I see, and perhaps it will
make sense to you.”

c. That you may receive him forever: This is one aspect of the
purpose Paul sees God working in Onesimus’ escape. Philemon
lost a slave, but because Onesimus came to faith in Jesus,
Philemon gained a brother, and he gained that brother forever.

d. That you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but

more than a slave; a beloved brother: Paul “re-introduces”
Onesimus to Philemon, not as a slave, but as a brother. In this
relationship as brothers and not slaves, Paul effectively abolished
the sting of the “master-slave” relationship, and laid the foundation
for the eventual legal abolition of slavery. If a man is a stranger, I
might make him my slave. But how can my brother be my slave?

i. This breaking of the distinction between master and slave

was an absolutely revolutionary development. It did far
more to change society than the passing of a law prohibiting
slavery.

ii. “What the letter to Philemon does is to bring the institution

into an atmosphere where it could only wilt and die. Where
master and slave were united in affection as brothers in
Christ, formal emancipation would be but a matter of
expediency, the legal confirmation of their new relationship.”
(Bruce)

4. (17-19) Paul’s personal promise of restitution towards Philemon.

If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if
he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I,
Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay; not to mention to
you that you owe me even your own self besides.

a. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would

me: Again, Paul stands beside Onesimus, requesting mercy. “If
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 I’m your partner in the gospel, then treat Onesimus like you would
treat me.”

i. Paul’s appeal is powerful because he stands beside a

guilty man and says to the owner of the slave, “I know this
man is a criminal and deserves punishment. Yet this slave
is my friend, so if you punish him punish me also. I stand
beside him to take his punishment.” This is what Jesus
does for us before our master, God the Father.

b. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my

account: Apparently when Onesimus escaped, he also stole from
Philemon. This in itself was a capital crime. Paul asks that the
value of what had been stolen be “charged” to Paul’s account.
“Put it on my tab, Philemon.”

c. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay: Paul is so

serious about that he gives Philemon a personal IOU, written by his
own hand. When Paul said to Philemon, “charge the wrong of
Onesimus to my account,” he essentially did for Onesimus what
Jesus did for us: taking our sins to His account.

i. “Here we see how Paul lays himself out for poor

Onesimus, and with all his means pleads his cause with his
master, and so sets himself as if he were Onesimus, and
had himself done wrong to Philemon. Even as Christ did for
us with God the Father, thus also does Paul for Onesimus
with Philemon. We are all his Onesimi, to my thinking.”
(Luther)

d. Not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self
besides: While “accounts” are being studied, Paul mentions one
more thing. “Philemon, remember that I have a lot of credit on your
account, because you owe me even your own self besides.”
Paul can “afford” to pay Onesimus’ expenses because there is a
sense in which Philemon owes Paul his salvation!

5. (20-22) Paul’s confidence in Philemon’s response.

Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart
in the Lord. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you,
knowing that you will do even more than I say. But, meanwhile, also
prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I
shall be granted to you.

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 a. Let me have joy from you in the Lord: Joy is more literally
profit. It translates the ancient Greek word oninemi, the root word
for the name “Onesimus.” Paul uses another play on words and
the name Onesimus to communicate a not so subtle request: “Let
me have Onesimus back from you in the Lord.”

b. Refresh my heart in the Lord: Earlier in the letter, Paul said

that Philemon was a man who refreshed the heart of the saints
(Philemon 7). Now, he specifically tells Philemon how he can
refresh Paul’s heart: by allowing Onesimus to stay with Paul.

c. Knowing that you will do even more than I say: Paul’s letter,
full of appeal, is also full of hope. Philemon is not a bad or a harsh
man. Paul has every reason to expect that he will fulfill his
Christian duty and do even more that Paul asks.

d. But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me: This

shows the close relationship between Paul and Philemon. Paul
knew that hosptiality always waited for him at Philemon’s home.

e. I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you:

Paul wanted Philemon to pray, and he didn’t think the prayers were
a mere formality. Paul believed that it would be through the
prayers of Philemon that they would once again be together.

C. Conclusion.

1. (23-25) Paul sends greetings to Philemon from common friends in

Rome.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark,

Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

a. Each of these names is also mentioned in the conclusion of the

letter to the Colossians (Colossians 4:10-17). This confirms that
the two letters went to the same place. Philemon lived in Colosse.

2. Some enduring principles from Paul’s letter to Philemon.

a. Paul never called for an overthrow of the system of slavery, yet

the principles in the letter to Philemon destroy slavery. The
greatest social changes come when people are changed, one heart
at a time. In our society, racism and our low regard for the unborn
cannot be eliminated by laws; a change of heart must occur.
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 b. Onesimus was obligated to return to his master. When we do
something wrong, we must do our best to set it right. Being made a
new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) does not end our
responsibility to make restitution; it increases our obligation, even
when restitution is difficult.

c. Onesimus was morally responsible for his wrongs. Philemon

demonstrates that we are not primarily directed by economics,
despite the ideas of Marxists and modern liberals. Whether rich or
poor, we are to be directed by the Spirit of God, not our economic
status.

d. “No part of the New Testament more clearly demonstrates

integrated Christian thinking and living. It offers a blend, utterly
characteristic of Paul, of love, wisdom, humour, gentleness, tact,
and above all Christian and human maturity.” (Wright)

3. Why is the letter to Philemon in our Bibles?

a. In 110 A.D., the bishop of Ephesus was named Onesimus, and it

could have been this same man. If Onesimus was in his late teens
or early twenties when Paul wrote this letter, he would then be
about 70 years old in 110 A.D. and that was not an unreasonable
age for a bishop in those days.

b. There is some historical evidence that the letters of Paul were

first gathered as a group in the city of Ephesus. Perhaps
Onesimus first compiled the letters, and wanted to make sure his
letter - his charter of freedom - was included.

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