INTRODUCTION:

((A reporter was writing a story about the Sheriff's task force.
He met, and even rode with, several of the deputies.

He noticed one of the deputies wearing a Colt 45.
He asked, "Why do you wear a Colt 45?"

The deputy answered, "Because they don't make a 46!"))

Sometimes, BIG is not better than small!
Philemon is a small letter, but very BIG in meaning.

Ephesians, Philippians, Colossions and Philemon were all written
while Paul was in prison (About 59-61ad).

This letter is all about being transformed by surrender to Jesus as Lord, and, about forgiveness and restoration.

Vss 1-3
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.

The greeting is not only to Philemon, but to others as well.
Apphia was probably Philemon's wife.
Archippus was probably a member of Philemon's family.

Tradition has it that Philemon, his wife, Archippus and Onesimus were
stoned during Nero's persecution.

Note that Paul's statement addresses Philemon as a "fellowlabourer".
This would mean he had, at one time, been a co-worker with Paul.
Philemon had probably helped in forming the church in Colossae.
The church actually met in his house!

Speaking of Archippus as a "fellowsoldier" might indicate that he
became a minister for the church. (See Philippians 2:25 where Epaphroditus
is labeled the same.

In vs 3, Paul is actually imparting a prayer.
He is asking that grace and peace be applied to Philemon from "God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Vss 4-5
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;

In verse 4 Paul says he prays for Philemon often!
I can imagine Paul had a long list of friends for whom he prayed, because
there were many who helped him in the ministry.
Do YOU have a list of friends who have aided you?
Are you praying for them OFTEN?

In verse 5, we find that Paul gets news from the churches and people who
write or visit him in Rome.
He knows from that news that Philemon has "love and faith" toward
Jesus, and toward all the saints.

Vs 6
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging
of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Paul continues about his prayer for Philemon, asking our Lord to let others
know of the work Philemon was doing for Jesus.
This would include how Philemon was saved, and opened his house for a
church to have its beginning.
Notice that Paul says, "which is IN you in Christ Jesus."
((See Philippians 2:13 about that.))

Vs 7
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are
refreshed by thee, brother.

Paul's heart is glad because he has received "great consolation" knowing
that Philemon has "refreshed" the saints.
Others have been encouraged because of Philemon's testimony!
Are YOU refreshing other Christians?

Vs 8
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

Paul, being an apostle, and also having led Philemon to Jesus, says he might, by
those facts, "enjoin", or command Philemon to do what he is about
to request.

Vs 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.

BUT, instead, Paul PLEADS with him "for love's sake."
Paul bases his plea on being "aged" and a "prisoner" OF Jesus!

Vs 10
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

Perhaps reading the Greek would help us understand better that statement.
"I entreat thee concerning a son of mine, whom I have begotten in my bonds,
Onesimus."

In other words, Paul has brought Onesimus to salvation in Christ, EVEN while
he was in prison!
((Onesimus had been a "servant" (perhaps slave) of Philemon before.
See verse 16)
Perhaps he had run away because of something he did.))

But NOW, Onesimus is "in Christ," and worthy of Paul's plea.

Vs 11
Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

Onesimus was "unprofitable" to Philemon before, but now is profitable
to Paul AND to Philemon!
Being saved, being "in Christ," CHANGES people!!

((Robert Frost wrote the following in one of his poems.
"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere in ages and ages hence:
Two road diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveld by
And THAT has made all the difference!"))

Onesimus has now taken the road "less traveled by" - following Jesus!
He is now DIFFERENT!

Vs 12
Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

Now Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon, and he requests that
Onesimus be received as well as he were Paul!

Vss 13-14
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.

Paul states he would have "retained" Onesimus, but would not without
Philemon's agreement.
He also says that Philemon might benefit from Onesimus' testimony.
(By the way....presumable about the same time, Paul wrote the letter to the
church in Colossae. The WHOLE church would read that letter.
AND, it was SENT BY Tychicus and Onesimus! (See Col. 4:9))

Vss 15-16
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?

Paul states that God's plan may have been for Onesimus to leave for a short
while, so that he might return "for ever!"

NOTE:
Slavery is not condoned here; but, it IS noted that some men DO enslave others!
At that particular time, slavery was permitted by mankind.

In verse 16, Philemon is asked to receive Onesimus not ONLY as a servant
but also as a "brother beloved."

Paul says Onesimus is much loved by himself, and should be loved by Philemon
in the Lord.

I get the impression that Onesimus is WILLING to do as Paul has requested,
and return to Philemon!

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.

Paul leans on his association with Philemon as a "partner."
And, he states that if Onesimus OWES anything, Philemon can put that
on Paul's ACCOUNT.
Also, he reminds Philemon that he owes Paul a great debt for having
taught him JESUS!

Vss 20-21
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.

Philemon will "refresh" Paul if he will receive Onesimus in this maner.
And, he states that he has CONFIDENCE that Philemon will do even MORE!

Vss 22
But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be
given unto you.

WHAT A STATEMENT!
Paul requests that Philemon prepare a place for him also!
And, he states that "through your prayers I shall be given unto you!"

Talk about BELIEVING in PRAYER!!
WOW!

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.

Epaphras was a member of the church there in Colossae.
It is probable that Epaphras was in prison with Paul.
The others, Marcus, Aristarchus, Deman, and Lucas were "fellowlabourers"
with Paul.

And, again, Paul asks for grace from Christ to be extended to Philemon.

In ALL of this letter, God shows us the concern and civility we should
extend to other Christians.