Philemon 1:1-3

I. Paul's greeting; Philemon 1:1-3.

1. Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

a.

Paul opens this lovely letter with a description of himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. The word prisoner means one bound with a chain. Paul was constantly bound to a guarding soldier by a chain from his wrist to the guard's arm. Philippians 1:7; Ephesians 6:20. Paul's situation as a prisoner would make it harder for Philemon to refuse his request.

b.

Paul was the prisoner of Christ, not the prisoner of Rome. Paul had not committed any civil offenses that could have convicted him, but his devotion to Christ kept him in trouble with those who hated Christ. However, Paul was a free man in reality, for captivity to Christ is the truest freedom.

When bound to Christ, my soul is free;

But sin doth make a slave of me. (John 8:31-34)

c.

Paul lists Timothy as the co-sender of the epistle. Timothy is called our (Gr. the) brother. He was so well known for his associations with Paul from the second missionary journey onward that he can well be called the brother. For a summary of his career see notes on Philippians 1:1.

d.

Philemon's name comes from a word meaning to love. The Greek word for a kiss is very similar to the name Philemon. No significance is to be attached to these facts; however the character of Philemon as it is suggested by this letter makes the root meaning of his name seem very fitting for him. He was loving, and Paul calls him the beloved.

e.

Philemon lived in the city of Colossae, on the river Lycus, in the ancient land of Phrygia, now a part of Turkey (Asia Minor.)

f.

We do not know in what ways that Philemon had been a fellow-worker with Paul. The observations that the church met in his house, and that he had refreshed the hearts of the saints (Philemon 1:7) suggest many ways in which he may have been a fellow-worker.

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2. and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:

a.

Apphia was probably Philemon's wife. She was a Christian. Paul addresses her as our (Gr. the) sister.

b.

It is possible that Archippus was the son of Philemon and Apphia, and was serving the Colossian church as minister and evangelist. Colossians 4:17 mentions Archippus, and urges him to take heed to his ministry and fulfill it. Remember, of course, that Colossians and Philemon were letters dispatched at the same time to people in the same city.

c.

Archippus is called our fellow-soldier. The figure of soldiers and warfare is often applied to Christians and Christian service. We are in a battle. 2 Timothy 2:3; Philippians 2:25.

d.

The reference to the church meeting in Philemon's house reminds us that the churches in other cities also often met in people's homes. The Roman church met in the house of Priscilla and Aquila. Romans 16:5. This same couple previously had a church meeting in their house in Ephesus. 1 Corinthians 16:19. The church at Laodicea had meetings in the house of a lady named Nympha. Buildings made specially for church meetings did nor exist in the first century, and probably not during most of the second century.

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3. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

a.

Like all the epistles of Paul, the epistle to Philemon begins and ends with a request that grace be given to the readers.

b.

Grace means favor, particularly undeserved favor, with all the good things that God's favor brings to us. As a result of God's grace we receive inward peace and happiness, our daily needs, the ability to work for the Lord, and other such benefits.

c.

We always, without any dispute, receive grace and peace from God when we receive Christ. But Paul could request that grace would be with them, because grace is a quality that we can always receive more of with greater and greater profit.

d.

Grace and peace come not only from God the father, but from Jesus Christ the Lord. It is just as necessary to give Christ the honor as it is to give God honor. He that honors not the son honors not the father that sent him. John 5:23.