The Epistle Of Paul To Philemon-Part I

Today I would like to try something different. I have always been an admirer of the book of Philemon in the New Testament so I want to try to break it down into "bite size" pieces to share over the next several days, sort of like an expository teaching only in a devotion. If I get lost or confusing, please feel free to let me know: (Email - papadave2@cox.net)

The Epistle of Paul to Philemon

Verses 1-3

"Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, and to Apphia our sister, and to 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."

This very small book of the New Testament is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to Philemon about a runaway slave by the name of Onesimus. The slave, Onesimus had been converted during his time with Paul and now it was time for Onesimus to be returned. Paul mentions Timothy here and that is important because Paul takes care to report the whereabouts of one of his fellow soldiers in the faith. Timothy was a young preacher that was being disciplined and groomed by Paul himself.

The introduction in this book is short, it is obvious that Paul and Philemon are friends from back when he assisted in starting the church, perhaps in Philemon's home, and he is polite in mentioning other leaders, Apphia being a Christian lady in the church at Colossae, and Archippus referred to as the "master of the horse" and a church worker at Colossae.

And then he concludes his introduction in this letter by offering "Grace & Peace" as always, from God the Father and never failing to mention the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul wants to settle an issue or two within the church, as he is always expressing his apostolic teaching within the scriptures. Notice that the church is mentioned within his introduction and also there were "looming" problems at the time of the early formation of the church, one being the "master-slave" relationship within the church as a whole. We know that Onesimus had "absconded" (depart in a sudden and secret manner, to avoid capture and legal prosecution), and Paul, by returning the once slave of Philemon, was instructing concerning the principles that govern relations between Christian brothers and also expressing "free will" in Onesimus' return.

And so Paul begins his letter to the leader of the church at Collosae. In Christ there is a new frame of reference that transforms all earthly relationships; brotherhood is the focus on which all other relationships must be evaluated. And so concludes Paul's "Salutation" to his brother in Christ, Philemon.

TO BE CONTINUED

Dave