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. Philemon 1:4-7

The Apostle Paul begins by expressing love and gratitude for his brother Philemon, praying for him every day and being “refreshed” by him. This should be a reminder for all of us, do we pray for our Church daily? Do we pray for our Pastor or Elders? What would others say about you? Would they mention your faith and love in Christ? 

The intent of the Apostle Paul’s letter is to encourage Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ, and to forgive what Onesimus did to him, stealing his money and running away. That’s why this is a power Epistle, this is a redemption story , this is the gospel message being played out in real life!

Notice Paul mentions to Philemon, your faith in Christ and love towards all the saints! Hint, hint! As Jesus commanded us “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34) Paul is encouraging Philemon to forgive Onesimus and receive him as his brother in Christ! This is a lesson all of us could learn from! Did someone wrong you? Forgive because Christ has forgiven us! (Ephesians 4:32)

“That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgement of every good thing,” The Church community of Colossae are well aware of the situation between Philemon and Onesimus. There might be Christians in the community that have a bad view of Onesimus because of what he has done. That’s why , Paul understands how powerful this moment will be, when the Church community witnesses Philemon forgiving and receiving Onesimus as a brother of Christ

Think about your own Church family, is there a brother or sister who has been shunned from the community? Has there been a prodigal that has strayed away from the flock? Imagine the power of Christ, if this person was forgiven and received back into the Church community! Why should we do this? As Paul states “which is in you is in Christ Jesus” Because your identity is in Christ and not yourself, because Christ lives inside you and you are his servants!

“For we have great joy and consolation in your love” What is the Apostle Paul referencing here, Paul is referencing the joy and love the Church will receive from the grace and mercy demonstrated by a leader in the Church, Philemon. “The hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you”! This act of forgiveness and love was contagious to the entire Church, may we be led by the Holy Spirit and do the same!

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer 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 Philemon 1:1-3

Today we begin the journey through the Epistle of Philemon, while this is a short letter with only 1 Chapter, this is a very powerful story. We all remember the beautiful Christmas song “All Holy Night” , with the line “the slave is your brother” this is my opinion sums up this Epistle. A beautiful and true story, about forgiveness, redemption, and being part of the body of Christ

The Apostle Paul clearly identifies himself as the author, also describes himself as “a prisoner of Christ Jesus” This has dual meaning, as Paul was literally in prison when he wrote this letter, but also Paul described himself as a Prisoner of Christ, in the epistle to the Ephesians “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1)

Another note is Paul is not addressing himself with Apostolic authority, but as a brother in Christ. This letter was meant to be a personal writing and not a teaching to the Church. However since Paul was so filled with the Holy Spirit, we can take these words and events and learn from them as Christians. Paul also mentions Timothy , our brother. While Philemon, and the others mentioned in the letter are part of the Church of Colossae, there is also a connection with the Church of Ephesus, of which Timothy is the Pastor. It’s believed Philemon was saved in Ephesus under Paul’s ministry. 

The letter is clearly being addressed to Philemon, who Paul describes as a “beloved friend and fellow laborer” It’s believed Philemon hosted a Church in his house in the city of Colosse,  It’s also believed Paul would stay at Philemon’s house when visiting in that region. Apphia is also mentioned, who is believed to be Philemon’s wife. Then another man is mentioned named Archippus, he is referred to as “fellow soldier” With Pauls reference here, its likely Archippus was the Pastor of this house Church, while Philemon and Apphia supported it. Archippus is also referenced in Pauls letter to the Church of Colosse “And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” (Colossians 4:17)

Now the main focus of the letter is Philemon owned a slave named Onesimus, and how their conversion in Christ , not only changed their own lives but perhaps the course of history