1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2 And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech [thee], being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] ought, put that on mine account;
19 I Paul have written [it] with mine own hand, I will repay [it]: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Amen.
Overview of Philemon Chapter 1
The Book of Philemon is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to Philemon, a wealthy Christian and slave owner in Colossae. This chapter serves as a personal appeal concerning Onesimus, a runaway slave who has become a Christian. The chapter highlights themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the transformative power of the Gospel.
Structure of the Chapter
- Greeting (Verses 1-3)
- Paul identifies himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.
- He addresses Philemon, Apphia (likely Philemon’s wife), and Archippus (possibly their son or a fellow worker).
- The greeting emphasizes grace and peace from God and Jesus Christ.
- Thanksgiving and Prayer (Verses 4-7)
- Paul expresses gratitude for Philemon’s faith and love.
- He acknowledges the impact of Philemon’s faith on others, particularly the joy and encouragement it brings to the saints.
- Paul prays for Philemon, hoping that his faith will lead to effective sharing of the Gospel.
- The Appeal for Onesimus (Verses 8-16)
- Paul explains his authority as an apostle but chooses to appeal rather than command.
- He describes Onesimus as “his child” in faith, highlighting their relationship.
- Paul requests Philemon to receive Onesimus back, not just as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ.
- He emphasizes the transformation Onesimus has undergone and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation.
- Paul’s Commitment (Verses 17-20)
- Paul urges Philemon to welcome Onesimus as he would welcome Paul himself.
- He offers to repay any debt Onesimus owes to Philemon.
- Paul expresses confidence that Philemon will do even more than he asks.
- Closing Remarks (Verses 21-25)
- Paul expresses his confidence in Philemon’s obedience and anticipates a positive response.
- He mentions his plans to visit Philemon and requests prayers.
- The letter concludes with greetings from fellow workers, emphasizing community and support.
Thematic Analysis
- Forgiveness and Reconciliation
The central theme of Philemon is the call for forgiveness and reconciliation. Paul urges Philemon to forgive Onesimus, illustrating how the Gospel compels believers to restore broken relationships.
- Transformation through Christ
Onesimus’s transformation from a runaway slave to a beloved brother in Christ emphasizes the power of the Gospel to change lives and redefine relationships.
- The Role of Authority and Humility
Paul’s approach of appealing rather than commanding reflects a model of leadership rooted in humility and love, demonstrating how authority can be exercised with grace.
- Community and Support
The letter highlights the importance of Christian community, as Paul mentions others who are involved in the ministry, reinforcing the idea that believers are called to support one another.
Conclusion
Philemon Chapter 1 serves as a powerful reminder of the principles of forgiveness, the transformative nature of faith, and the importance of community within the Christian life. Through his personal appeal, Paul illustrates how the Gospel can lead to reconciliation and the establishment of new identities in Christ.
