PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:1 Greetings. The beginning of this letter follows Paul’s typical style, but it is addressed to a person rather than an entire community of believers. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:2 APPHIA may have been Philemon’s wife. ARCHIPPUS may have been Philemon’s son. He may have had a significant ministry in Colossae (see Colossians 4:17). THE CHURCH IN YOUR HOUSE. The early Christians met in private homes. Philemon opened his home in Colossae (Colossians... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:4 Thanksgiving and Prayer. Before Paul makes his appeal, he expresses his gratitude for Philemon (vv. Philemon 1:4) and describes how he prays for him (vv. Philemon 1:6). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:6 SHARING as used here includes the ideas of generosity, partnership, and fellowship. These result from the common faith and common life that believers have in Christ. Paul lays the groundwork for his appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. KNOWLEDGE OF EVERY GOOD THING... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:7 HEARTS. See note on v. 12. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:8 Paul’s Appeal to Philemon for Onesimus. Paul makes his appeal by first describing the remarkable change that has happened to Onesimus (vv. Philemon 1:8). He explains how helpful Onesimus would be to him in his imprisonment (vv. Philemon 1:13). Paul then suggests that Go... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:10 The name ONESIMUS means “useful” or “profitable.” This name was frequently given to bondservants. Onesimus is also mentioned in Colossians 4:9 as accompanying Tychicus with the letter to the Colossians. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:11 USELESS... USEFUL. The play on words describes the “before and after” of Onesimus’s conversion. By stealing from Philemon and running away, Onesimus had become “useless.” Having repented and become obedient to Christ, Onesimus had now become “useful” both to Paul and t... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:12 MY VERY HEART. Not the common word for heart, but literally “internal organs” (especially the stomach and intestines). The word indicates affection, intimacy, and deep love (see vv. Philemon 1:7, Philemon 1:20; Philippians 2:1; Colossians 3:12). ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:15 WHY HE WAS PARTED FROM YOU. God is understood to be sovereignly behind the events. It is like Joseph’s remark to his brothers that “it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:8). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=ima... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:16 NO LONGER AS A BONDSERVANT. Paul expects an entirely transformed relationship between Philemon and Onesimus based on the fact that Onesimus was now Philemon’s BELOVED BROTHER. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, im... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:17 PARTNER is from the same root word as “sharing” in v. Philemon 1:6. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:18 IF HE HAS WRONGED YOU suggests that Onesimus probably took money from Philemon when he ran away. Roman society expected brutal punishment of runaway slaves or bondservants, at times resulting in death. (Regarding servitude in Roman society, see notes on 1 Cor. 7:21 and... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:20 REFRESH MY HEART IN CHRIST. See note on v. 12. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:21 Personal Remarks and Greetings. Paul concludes the letter by sharing his plans to travel to Colossae (vv. Philemon 1:21). He also sends greetings from various coworkers in Rome (vv. Philemon 1:23). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (va [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:22 PREPARE A GUEST ROOM FOR ME. Paul hopes to be released from prison and come to Colossae for a visit. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:23 EPAPHRAS is one of Philemon’s fellow Colossians 1:1. God had used him to plant the church in Colossae (Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:12). FELLOW PRISONER. The circumstances of Epaphras’s arrest are unknown. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILEMON—NOTE ON PHILEMON 1:24 MARK, ARISTARCHUS, DEMAS, AND LUKE are also named in Colossians 4:10, Colossians 4:14. For Mark, see Acts 12:12. For Aristarchus, see Acts 19:29. Demas later was drawn away by worldly pursuits and deserted Paul (2 Timothy 4:10). Luke is almost certainly the one who aut... [ Continue Reading ]