Notes on Philemon 1:1-21

Greetings - Philemon 1:1-3

1-3 Greetings. An opening similar to Paul’s other letters, this one is addressed more personally to Philemon and his family. Paul wrote a separate letter to the church at Colossae.

Prisoner - Philemon 1:1

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus. Typically, Paul introduced himself as an apostle or as a slave of Christ (see note on Rom. 1:1). Here, he uniquely identifies himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, because he was writing from Rome, where he was under house arrest awaiting trial (Col. 4:3, 18; Phm 23). Timothy, a trusted partner in ministry, is also listed as the co-author of letters to Colossae (Col 1:1), Corinth (2 Cor 1:1), Philippi (Phil 1:1); and Thessalonica (1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1). Like Epaphras, Timothy was, in all likelihood, Paul’s fellow-prisoner (cf. Phm 23) Philemon. The main recipient of the letter, listed first among the others, Philemon was a host for the Colossian church, all or part of which met in his home (v2). The affection Paul expresses for Philemon (vv. 5, 7, 9, 16, 19), may indicate that he was converted earlier, through Paul’s preaching, rather than Epaphras’ church-planting efforts.

Apphia . . . Archippus - Philemon 1:2

2 Apphia. and Archippus are in all likelihood the wife and son of Philemon, respectively, since the singular second person pronoun is used to describe the church that meets in your home. In other words, Philemon is addressed as the head of household (pater familias) which is made up also of Apphia and Archippus. In the first century, churches often met in larger homes of wealthy believers as it developed an identity apart from the synagogue and pagan religions (see Introduction).

Grace - Philemon 1:3

3 grace . . . peace. Paul’s common greeting combined both Greco-Roman and Jewish greetings, signaling how the gospel forms and reconciles a new people. This peace with God also brings peace with each other (Eph. 2:14-17). Father. Those saved by God through Christ are adopted as his children into the same family (Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:4-7).

Prayer and Thanksgiving - Philemon 1:4-7

4-7 Prayer and Thanksgiving for Philemon. Following conventions of letter-writing and speech-making to connect with his reader, Paul begins by acknowledging how Philemon’s loving service and hospitality have refreshed him and other believers in Christ. Unconventionally, however, Paul prays for Philemon to grow in and spread his faith in Christ (vv4-7). This love, hospitality and faith will also provide the basis for Paul’s appeal to Philemon for new action (v9). Paul’s pastoral prayers of thanksgiving for the work of the gospel and the Holy Spirit in God’s people were a regular feature at the beginning of his letters (cf. Rom. 1:8; 1 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:3; Col. 1:3; 1 Thess. 1:2).

Refreshed hearts - Philemon 1:7

7 refreshed . . . hearts. In v5 Paul acknowledged Philemon’s love for all the saints. He elaborates here on how he has been refreshed personally, and sets the stage for how his heart, Onesimus, may benefit as well. Paul uses synecdoche, a figure of speech wherein a part of something represents the whole thing. Refreshed hearts refers to refreshed or encouraged people or lives.

Appeal on Behalf of Onesimus - Philemon 1:8-21

8-21 Appeal on Behalf of Onesimus. In the main body of his letter, Paul appeals to Philemon to receive Onesimus back into his household, “no longer as a slave, but as a dear brother” (v16). Paul provides at least four reasons why Philemon should grant his request, two with reference to himself and two with reference to Philemon: First, Onesimus had become useful and dear to Paul (10-12). Second, whatever debts Onesimus may have created in relation to Philemon, Paul was willing to pay himself (18-19). Third, Paul honored Philemon’s right to decide how to deal with Onesimus’ debts (8-9, 14). However, fourth, Paul asked Philemon to address Onesimus’ debts to him in the light of his own debts to Paul (17, 19-20).

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