Bullet Point Bible - Philemon 1

Paul's Greeting to Philemon and the Church

¹ From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer,² to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house.³ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Paul identifies himself first by his circumstance ("prisoner of Christ Jesus"), emphasizing his suffering for the gospel which adds weight to his appeal.
Timothy's inclusion suggests shared concern and possibly co-authorship or endorsement of the letter's content.
Philemon is addressed warmly as a "dear friend and fellow worker," establishing a relationship of equals before Paul makes his request.
Apphia (likely Philemon's wife) and Archippus (possibly their son or a key church leader, see Colossians 4:17) are included, indicating the matter involves the whole household and church leadership.
The letter is addressed not just privately but also to the "church that meets in your house," highlighting that the issue of Onesimus has implications for the entire community.
The standard Pauline greeting "Grace and peace" combines the Greek (*charis*) and Hebrew (*shalom*) concepts of blessing, rooted in God's favor and holistic well-being.
This blessing originates from both "God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," affirming the co-equality and divine source of spiritual blessings.
This opening sets a personal yet communal tone for the delicate request that follows.

Thanksgiving for Philemon's Faith and Love

⁴ I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,⁵ because I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.⁶ I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.⁷ I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Paul follows his typical pattern of beginning with thanksgiving, focusing on Philemon's positive qualities.
Philemon's reputation is characterized by two key Christian virtues: "faith in the Lord Jesus" (vertical relationship) and "love for all the saints" (horizontal relationships).
Paul prays for Philemon's "partnership in the faith" (Greek: *koinonia*) to be effective. This implies shared life and resources within the Christian community.
Effectiveness in faith-partnership grows through "fully acknowledging every good thing that is ours in Christ," suggesting that understanding spiritual blessings fuels practical action.
Philemon's love has been a source of "great joy and encouragement" to Paul personally, even from prison.
Philemon has actively "refreshed the hearts [Greek: *splagchna*] of the saints," indicating his hospitality, generosity, and ministry have had a tangible, restorative impact on believers.
This commendation establishes Philemon's character and subtly prepares him for the appeal to act consistently with this known love and generosity.
The term "brother" reinforces their equal standing in Christ, despite Paul's apostolic authority.

Paul's Appeal for Onesimus, His Spiritual Son

⁸ So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper,⁹ I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love-I, Paul, an old man and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus -¹⁰ I am appealing to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become during my imprisonment, that is, Onesimus,¹¹ who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me.¹² I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you.¹³ I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.¹⁴ However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.¹⁵ For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally,¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

Paul asserts his apostolic authority ("confidence in Christ to order you") but chooses persuasion over command. Philemon 1:8-9.
He appeals "on the basis of love," grounding his request in their shared faith and relationship, rather than hierarchy. Philemon 1:9.
Paul highlights his vulnerability ("an old man and now also a prisoner") to add emotional weight to his appeal. Philemon 1:9.
The subject is Onesimus, whom Paul calls "my child," indicating Paul led him to faith ("whose father I became") during imprisonment. Philemon 1:10.
Paul employs wordplay on the name Onesimus (meaning "useful"): formerly "useless" (as a runaway slave), now "useful" (as a converted brother in Christ) to both Philemon and Paul. Philemon 1:11.
Sending Onesimus back is deeply personal for Paul ("my very heart"), showing profound affection and the value he places on the converted slave. Philemon 1:12.
Paul acknowledges Onesimus' potential usefulness to himself but respects Philemon's legal rights and prioritizes voluntary reconciliation. Philemon 1:13-14.
He reframes Onesimus' departure potentially as providential ("perhaps this is why he was separated..."), suggesting God's hand in events for a greater purpose: permanent, transformed relationship. Philemon 1:15.
The core request: Receive Onesimus not merely as property ("slave") but as family ("a dear brother"), transforming the relationship based on their shared identity in Christ. Philemon 1:16.
This new relationship applies "both in the flesh" (in daily life and work) "and in the Lord" (within the church community). Philemon 1:16.

Paul's Personal Guarantee and Request

¹⁷ Therefore if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me.¹⁸ Now if he has defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what he owes to me.¹⁹ I, Paul, have written this letter with my own hand: I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self.²⁰ Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.²¹ Since I was confident that you would obey, I wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more than what I am asking you to do.²² At the same time also, prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.

Paul leverages his close relationship with Philemon ("if you regard me as a partner" - Greek *koinonos*), asking him to welcome Onesimus as he would welcome Paul himself. Philemon 1:17.
Paul makes an extraordinary offer: to personally assume any debt or damages Onesimus caused ("charge it to my account"). This mirrors the concept of substitutionary atonement. Philemon 1:18.
He authenticates this promise ("I, Paul, write this with my own hand"), making it a legally binding guarantee. Philemon 1:19.
Paul gently reminds Philemon of his own spiritual debt to Paul ("you owe me your very self"), likely referring to Philemon's conversion through Paul's ministry. Philemon 1:19.
He asks Philemon to "refresh my heart in Christ," echoing Philemon's reputation for refreshing others (Philemon 1:7) and linking obedience to Paul's own well-being. Philemon 1:20.
Paul expresses strong confidence in Philemon's positive response, even suggesting he will exceed the specific request ("do even more than I ask"). Philemon 1:21.
The request for a guest room indicates Paul's expectation of being released from prison and his intention to visit Philemon personally. Philemon 1:22.
Paul attributes his potential release to the prayers of Philemon and his church, affirming the efficacy of intercessory prayer. Philemon 1:22.

Final Greetings and Benediction

²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you.²⁴ Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my colaborers, greet you too.²⁵ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Greetings are sent from Epaphras, identified as Paul's "fellow prisoner," suggesting shared hardship for the gospel. Epaphras was likely from Colossae, Philemon's home region (Colossians 1:7, 4:12). Philemon 1:23.
Four other "fellow workers" send greetings: Mark (John Mark), Aristarchus (a Thessalonian companion), Demas, and Luke (the physician and Gospel author). Philemon 1:24.
The inclusion of these names situates the appeal within a wider community of believers who are aware of the situation and support Paul's request.
These individuals are known from other Pauline letters (Colossians 4:10, 14; 2 Timothy 4:10-11), providing links within the Pauline corpus.
Demas is mentioned positively here, though 2 Timothy 4:10 notes his later desertion, highlighting the dynamic nature of faith and commitment.
The final benediction is a concise prayer for "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" to be "with your spirit." Philemon 1:25.
This focus on grace underscores the foundation upon which Paul expects Philemon to act towards Onesimus.
Directing the grace to Philemon's "spirit" emphasizes the internal transformation and motivation needed for genuine reconciliation.

The Bullet Point Bible

Philemon 1