Interpretation of the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Philemon

Philemon, whom the Church ranks among the seventy Apostles, lived in the city of Laodicea or, as some believe, in Colosse (see Col. IV:15). He was a friend and co-worker of Ap. Pavel. There was a Christian church in his house, and Christian wanderers found shelter with him. The reason why the Apostle addressed the message to Philemon was the following. Onesimus, Philemon's servant (Col. IV:9), did not please his master in some way and, for fear of punishment, fled from him. At this time he met with Ap. Paul, and the latter converted him to Christ, and some time later sent Onesimus, accompanied by Tychicus, to his master. At the same time, he turned to Philemon with a message to incline him to forgive the runaway slave. This letter was probably written shortly after the writing of the letter to the Colossians, precisely during the first Roman bonds of Ap. Pavel. Introduction and greeting (1–3). Praise to Philemon (4–7). A request for Onesimus (8–12). Paul would willingly keep Onesimus with him, but does not want to do this without Philemon’s permission (13-20). Closing Remarks and Greetings (21–24) Phil.1:1. Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy the brother, Philemon's beloved and fellow worker, “Prisoner of Jesus Christ” - see last. to Eph. 3:1. Philm.1:2. and Apphia, our beloved [sister], and Archippus, our companion, and your home church: "Apphia, [sister]". There is a known tombstone inscription of some Apphia from Colossae on a monument located near Balbur, in the village of Trimeliskoe: “Herm - to Apphia, to his wife, daughter of Tryphon, originally a Colossian, in memory” 1 . – Arkhip – see Col. IV:17. Phil.1:4–7. I thank my God, always remembering you in my prayers, hearing about your love and faith that you have for the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, so that the fellowship of your faith may be effective in the knowledge of every good thing you have in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because through you, brother, the hearts of the saints are calmed. Everything that the Apostle had heard about Philemon so far aroused in the Apostle gratitude to God and prompted him to pray for Philemon. It was the Apostle who heard rumors about the “faith” that Philemon has in the Lord Jesus, and about the “love” that he has for all Christians (in v. 5 there is a figure of the so-called chiasmus). Therefore, the Apostle prays that the faith Philemon has is as strong as the faith of Ap. Paul (the fellowship of your faith") - would be reflected in deeds, namely, first of all, it would lead him to the most perfect knowledge of what great benefits he received together with his home church in Christ Jesus and together for Jesus Christ, that is, to further the cause of Christ (εις Χρ. Ιησ.). At the same time (Phil. 1:7) the Apostle indicates why he called Philemon’s faith “common with his faith”: The Apostle, who suffered in bonds, was comforted by the news of the care that Philemon showed in relation to other Christians who were in difficult circumstances. Phil.1:8–12. Therefore, having great boldness in Christ to command you what should be done, out of love I better ask, none other than me, Paul the Elder, and now a prisoner of Jesus Christ; I ask you about my son Onesimus, whom I gave birth to in my bonds: he was once unfit for you, but now he is fit for you and me; I return it; You accept it as my heart. As a result of this, the Apostle turns to Philemon not with orders, but, as a friend, with a request, in the spirit of Christian love. Let Philemon fulfill his request - the request of “Paul” (the Apostle of the tongues), the request of the “elder” (elders in general should be listened to with respect) and the request of the “prisoner of Christ” (who must be comforted in every possible way). The Apostle begs Philemon to accept his servant, Onesimus, who from worthless has become useful both for Philemon, whom he will now serve as a faithful Christian servant, and for the Apostle, to whom he brought comfort with his conversion to Christ. Phil.1:13–14. I wanted to keep him with me, so that instead of you he would serve me in prison for the gospel; but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be forced, but voluntary. In order to instill in Philemon the best feeling and disposition to fulfill his request, the Apostle says that he was so confident in Philemon’s disposition towards him that he even wanted to keep Onesimus with him, so that the latter would replace the Apostle with his master, who, if it had been possible, probably would not have refused to serve Apostle. Paul in chains. But - adds the Apostle - I did not want this to be done as if under compulsion on my part. Phil.1:15–20. For, perhaps, he went away for a while so that you could accept him forever, not as a slave, but above a servant, a beloved brother, especially to me, and even more so to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So, if you have fellowship with me, then accept him as you do me. If he offended you in any way, or should, consider it on me. I, Paul, wrote with my hand: I will pay; I’m not telling you that you owe me yourself. So, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; rest my heart in the Lord. Moreover, perhaps, the very separation of Onesimus from Philemon took place in order to lead to their union forever. So, the Apostle did not want to violate Philemon’s rights, but now he convinces him to accept Onesimus with the same friendship with which he would have accepted the Apostle himself. At the same time, he takes upon himself to compensate for the material loss that Onesimus caused to his master. Phil.1:21–22. Hoping for your obedience, I wrote to you, knowing that you will do more than I say. And together prepare a room for me; for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you. The Apostle is confident that Philemon will fulfill his request, and, as a sign of his gratitude, he instructs Philemon to prepare a room for him, since he hopes to be freed from his bonds and go to the valley of the Lycus River, where Philemon lived. Philippians 1:23–25. Epaphras, a prisoner with me for the sake of Christ Jesus, greets you, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. Wed. Col. 4:10 et seq. – “The grace of the Lord...” see Gal. 6:18. Dibelius. Interpretation on the last to Philemon p. 132, 1912 on it. language You might be interested in: