A Great Joy

May 23, 2010

Lesson: Philemon 1-11

Key Verse: Philemon 7

Introduction

Paul and his companions have “a great joy and consolation” in the love expressed in their brother, Philemon. This love has refreshed the faith of the saints; “This was singular love, to feel so much joy on account of the benefit received by others” (Calvin).

Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, calls Philemon “a true son in the faith”; in the second letter, “a beloved son.” Paul has also referred to Timothy and himself as “bond-servants of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:1); and to Timothy as “our brother” (Col. 1:1, Philemon 1). Philemon is spoken of as “our beloved friend and fellow laborer.” and of Onesimus as “a beloved brother.” Apphia is called “beloved,” a Christian woman of the city of Colossae, most likely the wife of Philemon. It is written that she—along with Philemon, Onesimus, and Archippus—was stoned to death in the reign of Nero; Archippus, “a fellow soldier” in the army of Christ, a brother or son of Philemon. It is thought that Archippus held an office in the church. Paul admonishes Archippus to “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

At the close of Paul’s epistle to Philemon, Paul sends greetings from Epaphras, who is his “fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus.” Epaphras is mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Colossians a “dear fellow servant,” and a “faithful minister of Christ” on behalf of the church. Paul also conveys the greetings of Mark, whose mother’s name was Mary. Peter called Mark his son, for Mark was converted under Peter’s ministry. Aristarchus was a companion of Paul’s on his third missionary journey, serving faithfully as a member of the Thessalonica Church, a “fellow laborer” and Paul’s “fellow prisoner” (Col. 4:10), comforting, voluntarily, as he ministered with and to Paul in his Roman imprisonment. Luke is added to these “fellow laborers” with Paul. Luke is the evangelist who wrote the third Gospel, a man of culture and education, called by Paul “the beloved physician” (Col. 4:14).

Do you not catch the flavor of the Church of Jesus Christ? Those who labor, minister in the name of Christ, have a blessed fellowship as bond-servants of their Master, who find comfort in one another in prison, as well as in the fellowship in their homes. There is much loving friendship between the children of God. In the face of persecution and death, together they encourage one another in the name of their Savior, Christ Jesus.

Paul, Prisoner of Christ—Philemon 1–3

Paul’s letter is received by Philemon and the church that meets at his house, which includes his wife, Apphia, and their fellow soldier, Archippus. Though the burden of forgiveness falls upon the shoulder of Philemon, for this runaway slave and thief, Paul, revealing his meekness before such an important appointment, calls upon the whole body of believers to practice Christian forbearance; “with such ability, that he appears to speak about the interests of the whole Church rather than the private affairs of a single individual. In behalf of a man of the lowest condition, he demeans himself so modestly and humbly, that nowhere else is the meekness of his temper painted in a more lively manner” (John Calvin, Com.).

Paul carried the chains of being a prisoner of Christ. These chains, in the words of Calvin, “were the ornaments or badges of that embassy which he exercised for Christ.” Paul called upon Philemon as a “dearly beloved (friend) and fellow laborer,” seeking forgiveness for a runaway servant, Onesimus. The chains of Rome only emphasized the reality of Paul’s relationship with Christ Jesus, his Savior and Master. When one is bound to Christ, there lies his life and motives for the glory of his Lord, and health of the Body, the Church. Paul calls upon Philemon to practice the ministry of love and forgiveness on the same justification that he called the church at Ephesus to walk worthily: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:1–3). As servants of Christ, we are prisoners of Christ; thus we obey his Word as well as trusting in him as our Savior.

To the church which meets at the house of Philemon, Paul gives this benediction: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Here is a blessing, without which we would be unable to forgive one another. Grace reminds us of the unconditional love by which he sent his Son to be our Savior, and the blessings which we receive each and every day. Peace also tells us of this grace, whereby we are at peace with the God against whom we have sinned. For Christ shed his precious blood, breaking down that wall of separation. Therefore, walking the light of our Lord, we are enabled to be ministers of reconciliation, having our prayers answered, “Our Father, forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.”

Discussion: What is Paul’s message to us as a prisoner of Christ?

Love and Faith—Philemon 4–7

You cannot expect a response to admonition and discipline unless you are in constant prayer, thanking God for one another, mentioning each one of our brothers and sisters your petitions. Paul testifies to the church, “I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers.” However, his thanksgiving is not without substance; for it has been reported to him, “of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints.” When our love and faith are firmly directed toward our Savior and Lord, Christ Jesus, then there flows from this a love and faith toward the saints, toward the people of God.

This love and faith toward Christ and his people are nurtured in action, in the sharing of their faith. When we share our faith with one another, this faith becomes effective in the life of the church. And what does it mean to communicate our faith? It is the “acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” It is through our good works, expressed in the presence of Christ and the gifts he gives us, that our faith is manifested. This wonderful gift of faith, by which we embrace our Savior, is greatly shown through our trials. Note these words of the apostle Peter: “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it is tried by fire, may be found unto praise, honour, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ; whom having not seen, ye love, in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:6–9).

Paul knows that when he seeks forgiveness for Onesimus, that Philemon has the heart made new by the Christ who has granted him forgiveness through his shed blood on the Cross of Calvary. He also knows that Philemon has demonstrated a Christian character which responds to the need of forgiveness and love. For Paul and Timothy have received a “great joy and consolation” in Philemon’s “love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed” by Philemon, whom Paul calls “brother.”

Profitable Son—Philemon 8–11

Paul has stated the reasons for having boldness, adding that by the very nature of being an apostle of Christ, he could command Philemon to forgive and receive Onesimus back: to do that which is fitting for a Christian. Paul appeals on the basis of “love’s sake.” He appeals to Philemon as “being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.” Some people need to be appealed to by an authority which demands one to do right. However, Paul speaks to one who obeys, not because of the pressure of a law, but because the law of righteousness has been written upon his heart. Philemon is one whose heart has been made new by the Spirit of God, whose love proceeds from the love of God the Father through Christ.

Paul knows Onesimus as one who has been made new by the Spirit of God. Onesimus is Paul’s “begotten.” Onesimus was made a son to Paul through the faithful preaching of the Word of God. Paul was the instrument in the hand of the Lord to bring Onesimus into the family of the elect, the household of God. This change in Onesimus, who was rebellious and a thief, was performed by the Spirit of God. This change is seen in these words of Paul: Onesimus, who once was unprofitable to Philemon, is “now is profitable to thee and to me.” Onesimus would no longer be a slave under compulsion to obey, but a servant, both to Paul and Philemon, willing to serve to the glory of God.

What kind of Christian, what kind of child of God, should each of us be? Are we profitable to the kingdom of Christ? Are we being cleansed by the Word of God, as well as growing in knowledge and obedience, because we love the Father who first loved us? As God’s Word teaches us, “If a man therefore purge (cleanse) himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet (useful) for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21).

Discussion: What does it mean to be a profitable servant of God?

Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.