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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE LETTER TO PHILEMON

THE LETTER

Philemon 1-3 – A Prisoner to a House Church

PHM1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, 1 and also brother Timothy: 2 to Philemon 3 our beloved co-worker,

1	A prisoner of Christ Jesus: Other than Hebrews, this is the only letter where Paul does not mention himself first as the writer.

2	Also brother Timothy: Timothy is mentioned, either as Paul’s traveling companion also imprisoned, or as the secretary. Paul may have dictated some of his letters.

3	To Philemon: The name means “loving” and is only mentioned here.

PHM2 Apphia our sister, 4 Archippus 5 our fellow soldier, and to the congregation in your house 6 –

4	Apphia our sister: Some think this may have been Philemon’s wife.

5	Archippus: Mentioned in Colossians 4:17 with a public message to watch his ministry.

6	The congregation in your house: Christians gathered in homes for meetings. Compare notes in Nazarene Commentary© on Romans 16:5 and 1 Corinthians 16:19.

PHM3 May you receive [divine] charity 7 and peace from God our Father and [our] Master Jesus Christ.

7	May you receive [divine] charity: Or, grace, undeserved kindness, unmerited favor.

Philemon 4-7 – Praise of Philemon

PHM4 I always thank my God when I mention all of you in my prayers. PHM5 I continue to hear of your loving concern for all the Saints, 8 and your conviction in the Master Jesus. 9

8	I continue to hear of your loving concern for all the Saints: In the previous phrase in verse 3 Paul used the plural Greek for “you” [HUMIN], but here he converts to the singular [SOU], likely meaning Philemon. Philemon’s reputation has spread.

9	Your conviction in the Master Jesus: Or, faith, belief. Philemon is possessed of the two fundamentals of Christian discipleship – love and faith. [Compare notes on 1 John 3:23]

PHM6 So that the sharing of your conviction may become energized 10 to realize all the good in us in behalf of Christ.

10

The sharing of your conviction may become energized: Or, communication, fellowship, participation; become effectual, result in action RHM: become energetic by a personal knowledge of. The meaning may be “sharing your conviction” by positive action, or preaching the Gospel. Compare Galatians 5:6 and the phrase, “faith operating through love.”

PHM7 For, brother, I had considerable joy and encouragement respecting your loving concern, because the heart-felt affections of the Saints have been refreshed by you. 11

11

The heart-felt affections of the Saints have been refreshed by you: Or, KJV: the bowels of the saints; hearts, tender affections. The Greek is literally “bowels” and has something of the meaning in English of “gut feeling” or “pit of the stomach.” Philemon has demonstrated a charitable and hospitable disposition toward other Christians. [2 Timothy 1:16; Hebrews 6:10]

Philemon 8-16 – An Appeal on Behalf of Onesimus

PHM8 Therefore, though I have considerable boldness in Christ to order you 12 [to do] what is required – but, instead, because of our love,

12

I have considerable boldness in Christ to order you: Or, full freedom, Christ’s authority; enjoin, command, dictate, give directions. As an apostle and official representative of the Church Paul possessed the authority to command certain conduct on the part of Christians. Compare notes on Titus 2:15 and Hebrews 13:17.

PHM9 I would rather make the appeal as Paul, 13 an elder, 14 but now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus –

13	I would rather make the appeal as Paul: Or, beseech, exhort, plead. Here Paul’s name first appears.

14	An elder: Rather than command as an apostle, Paul mentions only that he is an “elder” or presbyter.

PHM10 I appeal to you, [Philemon], concerning my child [Onesimus], 15 whom I gave birth to while in my prison bonds. 16

15	I appeal to you, [Philemon], concerning my child [Onesimus]: The names have been added to clarify who is being mentioned. “Child” is a word used to suggest some spiritual parenthood in the matter of Onesimus becoming a Christian. See further notes.

16	I gave birth to while in my prison bonds: It seems Onesimus was the slave of a Christian master who ran away and was later put in prison. There, in prison, he met Paul and became a Christian.

PHM11 He was once useless to you 17 but now useful to both you and me. 18

17	He was once useless to you: Or, unprofitable, worthless. This escaped slave was not a very good slave in reality.

18	Now useful to both you and me: On becoming a New Person in Christ Onesimus became someone useful to Paul in prison.

PHM12 [Onesimus] – who has become close to my heart – I am sending back to you. 19

19	Close to my heart – I am sending back to you: Or, bowels, innermost part. Paul has come to dearly love this runaway slave turned Christian. Paul nowhere argues against slavery and evidently has encouraged Onesimus to return to his Christian master.

PHM13 I really wished to keep him to serve in your behalf 20 while in these bonds for the Good News.

20	I really wished to keep him to serve in your behalf: Paul begins an interesting appeal to the Christian master to permit this slave to serve Paul’s needs while in prison.

PHM14 But, I did not want to do anything without your consent, 21 so that not out of a necessity as something under pressure, but rather, in harmony with your willingness.

21	I did not want to do anything without your consent: Paul never abuses his apostolic authority, but appeals on the basis of love.

PHM15 Perhaps, for this reason he was separated from you for an hour, 22 that you might always have him, 23

22	For this reason he was separated from you for an hour: When he escaped and then to accidentally meet up with Paul in prison.

23	You might always have him: Or, forever, age-abiding.

PHM16 no longer as a slave, 24 but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially, and how much to you, both in flesh and also in YHWH.

24	No longer as a slave: Assuming Philemon gave Onesimus his freedom.

Philemon 17-20 – You Owe Me

PHM17 If, then, [Philemon], you consider me a partner, 25 receive [Onesimus] as you would me. 26

25	Consider me a partner: Or, comrade, bosom friend.

26	Receive [Onesimus] as you would me: As a good friend; or, as an apostle.

PHM18 If he has wronged you, or owes you anything, put this to my account. 27

27	Put this to my account: It is likely Philemon, in “sharing his faith” mentioned above, showed charity to Paul. Paul is to use appealing language to suggest Philemon is much more indebted to him.

PHM19 I, Paul, writing in my own hand, will repay you, 28 though I will not mention you yourself owe me. 29

28	Will repay you: Paul a poor prisoner assures Philemon he will cover any debts accrued because of Onesimus. On personal loans compare the Nazarene at Luke 6:30-35.

29	I will not mention you yourself owe me: Likely Paul was instrumental in introducing Christ to Philemon. By such Paul such Philemon really owes him.

PHM20 Yes, brother, let me have this fleshly profit from you, 30 to refresh my tenderhearted feelings united in Christ. 31

30	Let me have this fleshly profit from you: Or, some benefit, be generous. Paul appeals to a well-off Christian master to release his slave to serve in the place of Philemon.

31	Refresh my tenderhearted feelings united in Christ: Or, bowels, heart, deepest feelings, tender affections.

Philemon 21-22 – Confident in Your Obedience

PHM21 Having confidence in your obedience, I wrote you, knowing you would do more than I ask. 32

32	Knowing you would do more than I ask: Paul is confident that his loving appeal will have its affect.

PHM22 But, at the same time, also, prepare lodging for me, 33 for I hope by means of your prayers, to be restored to you.

33	Prepare lodging for me: Paul is confident he will soon be released from prison and return to his good friend. He is not ashamed to direct Philemon to prepare for his visit. Only good friends may do this.

Philemon 23-25 – Greetings

PHM23 Epaphras, 34 my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you.

34	Epaphras: Compare Colossians 1:7; 4:12.

PHM24 Also, Mark, 35 Aristarchus, 36 Demas, 37 and Luke, 38 my co-workers.

35	Mark: Compare Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37, 39; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; 1 Peter 5:13.

36	Aristarchus: Compare Acts 19:29; 27:2; Colossians 4:10.

37	Demas: Later to desert Paul. [Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:10]

38	Luke: Compare Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11.

PHM25 The unmerited charity of the Master Jesus Christ be with your attitude. 39

39	The unmerited charity of the Master Jesus Christ be with your attitude: Or, spirit. Here the “you” is plural.