Philemon 1-3

¹ Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, ² And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: ³ Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Martin Luther once said, “We are all God’s Onesimi.” One of the shortest and often forgotten letters of the New Testament is Paul’s letter to Philemon. Philemon is unique, not just for its length (the shortest of Paul’s letters), but also for the fact that is one of only a few letters in the New Testament that is addressed to a specific individual. Outside of the Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus), it is the only letter that Paul wrote that is addressed to an individual instead of an entire local church. However, each of the individuals that Paul wrote to in those letters, including Philemon, were vital parts of their local churches and the messages that he had for them extended beyond them to their church family. In addition to being addressed to the individual, Philemon is also written specifically about a personal matter. The context of the letter is that Philemon had a slave named Onesimus who had run away and perhaps stolen from him as well. In God’s providence, Onesimus encountered the Apostle Paul while in Roman imprisonment (house arrest in Rome awaiting trial) and had come to faith in the Lord Jesus. Paul had led Philemon to faith in Christ years prior and now had the privilege of leading his runaway slave to Christ. He wrote this letter to send back with Onesimus to Philemon encouraging Philemon to forgive and receive his slave.

Why does this letter matter for us today? It is of immense importance because it is perhaps the greatest example of the gospel of Jesus Christ being lived out in the relationship of believers where one had wronged the other, repented, and needed forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. It is a reminder that, just as Luther pointed out, we are all like Onesimus and in need of Christ’s care, forgiveness, and restoration. Also, the name Philemon means “loving” and the letter bearing his name teaches us how to love as Christ loved us. The letter is divided into four major sections, each of which serve to teach us one aspect of what it means to live a life “Loving As He Loved.” The first of those sections is found in verses 1-3 (the introduction to the letter) and teaches about the importance of serving alongside the people of God in the local church. We see from the examples set forward by Paul, Philemon, Timothy, and others what true, committed service looks like in the church. Jesus was the ultimate servant. In this section, we learn three things that it means to live “Serving As He Serves.”

The first principle we must recognize if we are serve as Christ served is that we are called. Paul introduces himself, not as an apostle or authoritative figure (even though he was), but as “a prisoner of Jesus Christ.” He wrote the letter of Philemon from Roman imprisonment (60-62 AD) and he understood that his current circumstances were a part of God’s providential plan for him to take the gospel to the world. It was the circumstances of his imprisonment that led to him meeting Philemon’s slave Onesimus and being able to lead him to faith in Christ. Paul was God’s “chosen vessel” who was called “to bear” Christ’s “name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). It was for that calling that Paul found himself where he was. While he was called to take the gospel to the world, Paul was also an instrument in God’s hands for the edification of the body of Christ wherever he went. In fact, his service was first and foremost for God and God’s people. When writing to Timothy at the end of his life about another imprisonment and his imminent death, he wrote, “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10). Some people today believe it is their special calling to fix the people of God or to go off and do their own thing because they don’t like the way a particular church does things. That is very popular and may seem spiritual, but actually is rooted in pride. God never calls us to serve in opposition to God’s people, but He calls us to serve with God’s people. Paul’s calling was to serve the people of God. It was for that calling that he found himself in prison. As a part of the body of Christ, it is important that you and I understand and obey what God has called and gifted us to do.  He has equipped each of us to serve the church in such a way that the gospel is taken to the world around us. As a part of that calling, you and I may have to sacrifice and surrender many things in our lives for the sake of fulfilling our calling.

The second aspect of serving as Christ serves that is given here in the introduction of Philemon is that Paul highlights our commitment. Paul was under Roman imprisonment and was accompanied by Timothy who proved himself a faithful companion of Paul for ministry. He served alongside Paul throughout the course of his ministry all the way to the very end. Paul’s last New Testament letter was written to Timothy, trusting the Timothy would come and help him one last time. He lists out Philemon as a “fellowlabourer,” a word describing one who works alongside someone for the same purpose or goal. Philemon was the recipient of the letter, but Paul also addresses others who would be in Colossae with him.  Apphia and Archippus are mentioned with the latter identified as a “fellowsoldier. These were two individuals who were a part of “the church in” Philemon’s “house” and that most identify as Philemon’s wife and son respectively. Philemon provided a meeting place for the local church in Colossae and Paul highlights the faithfulness and commitment of his family to the service of the body of Christ. We are not only called, but we are to be committed to the work of the Lord with other believers.

The third aspect of serving like Christ that Paul highlights in the introduction to the letter is that God has equipped every believer in the body of Christ for service. He has done so through the “grace” and “peace” that He has provided. In His grace, God has sovereignly given spiritual gifts to those that He has called to service through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7). In His grace, He also empowers every believer to live the Christian life and serve others. Believers are called to “work out” our “salvation” because we recognize that God “worketh in” us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). The question is never, “Has God equipped us?” but rather “Am I working out what He has worked in?”

In this brief introduction, Paul teaches us about the importance of partnering with other believers in service to Christ. There is no such thing as a Christian that is called to sit on the sidelines and observe everyone else do what needs to be done. Neither are we to think that we are called to do everything. Like Paul, we must recognize that our calling is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be committed to that service alongside His people, and we are to recognize that we are equipped for specific tasks through His grace. Paul, Timothy, Apphia, Archippus, and Philemon all serve as examples of such regular commitment and they have been written down as examples for us today. Philemon’s letter is about love and forgiveness. Love and forgiveness can only be lived out in relationship to other people and God has specifically called us to live them out regularly with other believers that we are committed to and committed with. How do we serve as Christ served us? We recognize our calling, commit ourselves to His people and the work, and operate in the gifting He has given us. Perhaps today you recognize that your commitment to God and His people is less than what it should be. Maybe there are opportunities to serve and needs that can be met within the body that you have been equipped to help with. Recognize His call. Commit to His service. Work in light of the grace He has given you and gifted you with.