The Strand Study Bible

Written From Rome During Paul’s First Roman Imprisonment

2053

PHILEMON 1:7 - 25

7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Paul intercedes for Onesimus 8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is 1 convenient, 9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a 2 prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I beseech thee for my son 3 Onesimus, whom I have begotten 4 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 5 GOSPEL : 14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy 6 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, 7 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 8 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: 9 for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. 23 There salute thee 10 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus; 24 11 Marcus, 12 Aristarchus, 13 Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. 25 The 14 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

1. that is, “required of you biblically” 2. I Pet 4:14-19 3. Colo 4:9 Note - Onesimus’ name means “useful.” 4. Phil 1:12-13 5. that is, “the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ - I Cor 15:1-4 6. or, “goodness” 7. Colo 3:22-23 8. that is, “derive benefit; profit” 9. Phil 1:25-26 & 2:24 Note - Paul expected to be released from prison soon. 10. Colo 1:7 & 4:12 11. Colo 4:10 & Acts 15:37 12. Acts 19:29 & 20:4 & 27:2

• Rome

MACEDONIA

ACHAIA

Colosse •

13. Colo 4:14 & II Tim 4:10-11 14. Colo 4:18

CRETE

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Paul sends a letter to Philemon in Colosse from his house arrest in Rome Map #67 1:9 Paul could have used his authority as an Apostle to command Philemon to accept his runaway slave (Onesimus) back, now that he was a brother in Christ (vs 16). Instead he appealed to Philemon via the love of Jesus ( for love’s sake ). 1:10 The day Onesimus met Paul, Paul was in chains ( in my bonds ); yet he had claimed to be free. Onesimus had run from his chains, thinking he was now free. But after listening to Paul, he realized that he was the one who was still in chains. How is it that free people (like Onesimus) continue to be slaves and slaves (like Paul) continue to be free? Paul, though bound by chains forged by men, was free because he had met the real Master years before on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-6). When the real Master sets you free, no bonds forged by men can hold you (Jn 8:36). Just because we live in a free country and we’re not tied down by a set of chains doesn’t mean we’re free. Millions of Americans today think they are free because they live in America, when in fact they are slaves – slaves to their own appetites (be it drugs or alcohol or sex or money) or slaves to the economy (be it government entitlements or a “gone” economy, i.e., one that is broken). Although many Americans pride themselves on being free, in reality they are not free; they are fools. When Onesimus was a slave, he didn’t have to worry about where he was going to sleep or eat. His master, Philemon, provided those things for him. But now that he was free to roam in Rome, where to eat and where to sleep became a problem... that is, until he met a man in chains who claimed he was free. There is a slavery in freedom and freedom in salvery. NOTE – You will not get arguments for or against slavery from this epistle. What you will get is that there is a freedom above all slavery and that that freedom comes from knowing Christ. 1:19 Apparently, Paul had won Philemon to Jesus ( thou owest unto me even thine own self besides ). READ NEXT - Ephesians 1-6