The Cleveland Commentary on Philemon

The Cleveland Bible Commentary

Philemon (NIV)

By Syd Cleveland

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Phile 1:1

PAUL = The Greek "Paulos" (Strongs #G3972) means "little." Paul’s Hebrew name, “Saul,” means “asked for.”

PRISONER = The Greek "desmios" (Strongs #G1198) means "to bind, one who is bound, a prisoner, a captive."

AND TIMOTHY = The Greek "Timothayus" (Strongs #G5095) means "honoring God, precious to God." Apparently Paul dictated this letter to Timothy because in Philemon 1:19 Paul states he wrote those verses with his own hand.

PHILEMON = The Greek "Phileemone" (Strongs #G5371) means "friendly, affectionate." This name is derived from the Greek word "philayo" (Strongs #G5368) meaning "brotherly love."

DEAR FRIEND = The Greek "agapaytos" (Strongs #G27) means "beloved, dear." It is derived from the Greek word "agapay" (Strongs #G26) indicating "the highest form of self-sacrificing love."

FELLOW WORKER = The Greek "sunergos" (Strongs #G4904) mean "linked together, working together."

Phile 1:2

APPHIA OUR SISTER = A Christian woman (Greek "Apfeea") who is most probably Philemon's wife. Her name is not defined.

ARCHIPPUS = Greek "Arkkuppus" meaning "master of the horse, horse-ruler."

Perhaps could refer to a mounted cavalry-man. A Christian teacher, most probably Philemon's son. In Colossians 4:17 Paul commanded Archippus to "finish the work" he had started.

FELLOW SOLDIER = Greek "sustratiotes" (Strongs #G4961) meaning "a comrade in arms, a soldier," a title of honor and respect.

CHURCH = Greek "ekklesia" (Strongs #G1577) meaning "called out." This was a common term for a congregation of Greek citizens called together by a herald to conduct state business. The companion Hebrew word is "synagogue," which was used very early in the New Testament to refer to the place Christians gathered for church (compare James 2:2 with James 5:14. Also see note on Acts 26:11). Later the Greek word "ekklesia" was used almost exclusively to refer to Christian churches in order to differentiate them from the Jewish synagogues.

HOME = Christians established churches in homes after unconverted Paul and others drove them out of the Jewish synagogues (see Acts 8:1-3; 26:10, 11). In Jerusalem many Christians gathered in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12). Lydia invited Paul to use her home in Philippi (Acts 16:15, 40). Aquila and Priscilla had a church in their home when they lived in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:19) and at Rome (Romans 16:3-5). Some of these home churches were able to accommodate as many as 100 worshippers.

Phile 1:3

GRACE = Greek "charis" (Strongs #G5485) meaning "(1) That which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance, for a kindness granted or desired, a benefit, thanks, gratitude. (2) A favor done without expectation of return. (3) The absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; ie. unearned and unmerited favor. Grace stands in direct antithesis to works, the two being mutally exclusive. God's grace affects man's sinfulness and not only forgives the repentant sinner, but brings joy and thankfulness to him. It changes the individual to a new creature without destroying his individuality (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-9)" (Zodhiates).

PEACE = Greek "eirene" (Strongs #G1515) meaning "peace, the opposite of war and dissension, harmony, tranquility arising from reconciliation with God and a sense of His Divine favor" (Zodhiates). It is the result of God's grace and the conviction we have been reconciled through the blood of the cross. Both grace and peace come to us from our Father and Lord.

FATHER = Greek "pater" (Strongs #G3962) meaning "father, progenitor, ancestor, mentor, or model" (Zodhiates).

LORD = Greek "kurios" (Strongs #G2962) meaning "Lord, master, owner, might, power. The NT equivalent to the OT Hebrew word 'Jehovah'" (Zodhiates).

JESUS = Greek "Iesous" (Strongs #G2424) transliterated from Hebrew "Yeshua" meaning "Jehovah his help." "Yeshua" is contracted to "Jehoshua" ("Joshua" in Nehemiah 8:17). Jesus means "Savior" (Matthew 1:21). It is notable that Hebrew does not have a “Ya” sound, nor a “Je” sound, thus contrary to the sacred name proponents, God’s “true” name cannot be “Jehovah/Jehowah” nor “Yahweh”.

CHRIST = Greek "Christos" (Strongs #G5547) meaning "the Anointed one." In the New Testament it means "The Messiah."

Phile 1:4

THANK = Greek "eucharisteo" (Strongs #G2168) meaning "to express gratitude, to say grace at a meal, give thanks." By referring to the Lord's Supper as "the Eucharist," we imply that it is a meal of thanksgiving and gratitude. This should be remembered by cults who look up the Lord’s Supper as a time of somber solemnity.

Phile 1:5

I HEAR = Perhaps some of the latest news about Philemon was told to Paul by Onesimus. Epaphras, who was the pastor of the Colossian church (Colossians 4:12-13) was also with Paul at this time (Philemon 1:23).

FAITH = Greek "pistis" (Strongs #G4102) meaning "persuasion, conviction." In the NT it specifically means reliance upon Christ for salvation. Faith requires the outward evidence of works (James 2:17-18, 22, 26). "Subjectively 'faith' means firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth. Objectively it means that which is believed, doctrine, the received articles of faith" (Zodhiates). It is our "faith in the Lord" that inspires our love for "all the saints."

LOVE = Greek "agapay" (Strongs #G26) meaning the highest form of self-sacrificing love. This love was demonstrated in Philemon's willingness to share his home and possessions with others.

SAINTS = Greek "hagios" (Strongs #G40) meaning "holy, set apart, sanctified, consecrated, saint. The fundamental idea is separation, consecration, devotion to the service of God, sharing in God's purity and abstaining from earth's defilement. It is spoken of those who are purified and sanctified by the influences of the Spirit. This is assumed of all who profess the Christian name, ie 'Christians.' It is also spoken of those who are to be in any way included in the Christian community." (Zodhiates). Philemon had opened his house for worship services (Philemon 1:1-2) and had also "refreshed the hearts of the saints" (Philemon 1:7).

Phile 1:6

ACTIVE ... SHARING ... FULL UNDERSTANDING = An active faith is a sharing faith. One cannot have a "full understanding" of Christ unless one has an active, sharing faith.

Phile 1:7

ENCOURAGEMENT = Greek "paraklesis" (Strongs #G3874) meaning "to encourage, comfort, console, exhort, entreat." It is a derivative of "parakletos," the name Jesus used when speaking of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16).

HEARTS = Greek "splagchnon" (Strongs #G4698) literally meaning "intestines." Similarly, the Babylonians used the term "liver" with the same meaning as when we Americans say "heart."

Phile 1:8

IN CHRIST = We are "in Christ" when we hear and believe the Gospel (Ephesians 1:13); and we remain "in Christ" by holding firmly to the end (Hebrews 3:14).

ORDER = Greek "epitasso" (Strongs #G2004) meaning "to order, to command, appoint, require as a duty." This reference to Paul's authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ is made to simply flash before Philemon's mind for just an instant before it dims into the background as Paul turns the spotlight on the most dynamically motivating power in the universe: love (Philemon 1:9). Paul's authority in the church is based upon the fact that Christ had commissioned him as an apostle (Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 9:1; 2 Corinthians 10:13; 12:11-12; Galatians 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1, 11).

Phile 1:9

APPEAL = Greek "parakaleo" (Strongs #G3870) meaning "to call alongside, invite, invoke, entreat". Literally: "join with me, work with me, assist me."

ON THE BASIS OF LOVE = No other motivator can be as successful as love (1 John 4:18-19).

OLD MAN = Greek "presbutes" (Strongs #G4246) from which we get the English word "Presbyter" or "Elder." By this time Paul was about 60 years old. In addition, his afflictions (2 Corinthians 11:23-33) had aged him. He carried the "marks of Jesus" in his body (Galatians 6:17). He had "a thorn in my flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7). And now he was a "prisoner of Christ Jesus" – imprisoned on account of Jesus Christ, and also a faithful captive of Jesus Christ. Surely Philemon could not refuse a reasonable request from this man who had surrendered everything in the service of Christ!

Phile 1:10

I APPEAL TO YOU = In context, the thought Paul is expressing is: "Now take one more step, my beloved brother, and extend the same kindness and love to your slave, Onesimus."

WHO BECAME = Paul's reference to Onesimus' conversion to Christianity.

MY SON = Greek “teknon” (Strongs #G5043). This is a term of endearment also used by Paul when referring to Timothy (1 Corinthians 4:17), and all Christians (Hebrews 12:5). Paul is very careful here to appeal to Philemon's sympathy and love. Think of how Paul could have phrased this request: he could have written: "I am writing to you about Onesimus, that good-for-nothing slave of yours who robbed you and ran away from you!"

ONESIMUS = Greek "Onesimos" (Strongs #G3682) means "profitable." Thus Paul has a play on words in the next verse when he refers to Onesimus as being "useless/useful or “profitable/unprofitable."

WHILE I WAS IN CHAINS = A reference to Paul's imprisonment at Rome.

Phile 1:11

USELESS TO YOU ... USEFUL BOTH TO YOU AND TO ME = The Greek “achrestos” (Strongs #G890) means “useless, unprofitable, inefficient, detrimental.” As an unconverted slave, Onesimus did not perform his duties with honor. He stole from his master, and ran away. Now Paul argues that, technically, the only person Onesimus hurt was Philemon. However, as a convert to Christianity, Onesimus is useful to twice as many people as he hurt. As a Christian, Onesimus will work for Philemon with a new attitude and zeal to please him for Christ's sake. And in addition, he is useful to Paul as he ministers the Gospel.

Phile 1:12

I AM SENDING HIM ... BACK = Paul did not send Onesimus back alone to Philemon to beg for mercy. Instead, Tychicus accompanies Onesimu for moral support (Colossians 4:7-9), and to protect Onesimus from any Roman authorities searching for run-away slaves. Paul also sends this letter of explanation to arouse Philemon's sympathies and encourage him to do the right thing in Christ.

WHO IS MY VERY HEART = An allusion to the deep brotherly love that exists between a Bible teacher or missionary and a convert to Christianity.

Phile 1:13

TO KEEP HIM WITH ME = Onesimus could have helped Paul, and at the same time Paul could have taught him more about Christ and solidified his faith.

TAKE YOUR PLACE = Perhaps Philemon had assisted Paul for a period of time and then returned home to take care of business matters.

Phile 1:14

WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT = The Greek “gnomay” (Strongs #G1106) means “consent, judgment, opinion, agreement). As a slave Onesimus legally belonged to Philemon. Christian courtesy required Paul to return Onesimus to Philemon rather than presume upon his generosity.

ANY FAVOR YOU DO = Paul is not asking Philemon to send Onesimus back to Rome as a favor to him, because Paul expects to be released from prison very soon (Philemon 1:22). Instead, the favor Paul is asking is for Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother in Christ and no longer as a slave (Philemon 1:15-16).

SPONTANEOUS = Greek "hekousios" (Strongs #G1595) meaning "willingly, voluntary."

NOT FORCED = Greek “anangkay” (Strongs #G318) means “of necessity, under distress, forced.” If Paul had presumed upon Philemon's generosity and kept Onesimus in Rome, he would have been coercing Philemon's subsequent approval. Instead, Paul followed God's example of dealing with us on the basis of free choice (Genesis 2:16-17). This permitted Philemon to do what was right on the basis of his Christian love and his own initiative.

Phile 1:15

REASON HE WAS SEPARATED FROM YOU = Here we see Paul's application of the Bible truth that "love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8 and 1 Corinthians 13:7). Paul could have written: "Perhaps the reason cowardly Onesimus ran away after robbing you ...." But instead Paul wrote: "Perhaps the reason he was separated from you ...." In other words, Paul was not overlooking Onesimus' guilt, but he was showing Philemon God's overruling providence in this incident. God used the evil deed to bring about Onesimus's conversion, provide Philemon with an opportunity for service and to increase Philemon's understanding of Christian love.

A LITTLE WHILE = Onesimus was a slave when he separate from Philemon, now he is his brother in Christ forever (Philemon 1:15).

HAVE HIM BACK FOR GOOD = Here Paul reinforces the thought that he expects Onesimus to remain in Philemon's good graces and never run away again.

Phile 1:16

SLAVE = Greek "doulos" (Strongs #G1404) meaning "a slave, one who serves or is in bondage to another."

BROTHER = Greek "adelphos" (Strongs #G80) meaning "a brother, a member of the same family or tribe, a member of the Christian community."

Phile 1:17

PARTNER = Greek "koinonos" (Strongs #G2844) meaning "a partaker, partner, companion." A similar word, "koinonia" means "sharing fellowship," as in a fellowship meal.

AS YOU WOULD WELCOME ME = As Christians we are to treat others without partiality, remembering how Christ has dealt with us (Romans 15:7; Matthew 7:12). Thus, in the name and Spirit of Christ, we welcome the one who has wronged us with us as much grace and hospitality as we welcome the one who has befriended and nurtured us in the Lord.

Phile 1:18

WRONG = Greek "adikeo" (Strongs #G91) meaning "to act unjustly, to do wrong to someone, to injure, hurt, offend someone."

OWES = Greek "opheilo" (Strongs #G3784) meaning "to owe, to be indebted, obligated to perform what is required by law."

CHARGE IT TO ME = Greek "ellogeo" (Strongs #G1677) is a commercial term meaning "to charge, impute, bill me." This is an example of Christ's saving grace in that he paid our sin debt on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). It is possible that Paul had set aside some of the offerings people had given him for just such an emergency. Acts 24:26 tells us Felix detained Paul in the hope he would pay a bribe for his freedom.

Phile 1:19

WRITING THIS WITH MY OWN HAND = This is a blank check. Here Paul places himself under a legal obligation to carry out his commitment by writting this portion of the letter

with his own hand.

I WILL PAY IT BACK = Paul, like Christ, loves the sinner so much that he is willing to pay his debts rather than see him suffer punishment. Having received the gift of life from Christ, we in turn are obligated to pass it on (Matthew 6:12, 14-15).

NOT TO MENTION = In other words "not to stress the fact that you owe me your very life" as a believer.

YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SELF = A hint that Paul had brought Philemon to the Lord. If so, this suggests that since Paul also won Onesimus to the Lord, Philemon and Onesimus were now brothers in Christ with Paul as their spiritual "father." Here we see Paul believed in the principle of reciprocity: that when we receive favors or blessings we are obligated to pass them on to others. Paul believed this principle applies to the blessings we receive from God (Philemon 1:6; 2 Corinthians 8:7-9) and to the blessings we receive from man (1 Timothy 5:4).

Phile 1:20

BROTHER = Again Paul uses this term of endearment to show his love and respect for Philemon.

BENEFIT = Greek "onaimen" (Strongs #G3685) meaning “be gratified, derive pleasure or joy, have an advantage or profit from something.” Here Paul again has a play on words since "onaimen" is related to the name "Onesimus." Paul was saying with some wit, "Let me make some Christian 'profit' (or Onesimus/"benefit") off of you!" In this Paul follows the example of Christ in identifying himself with the sinner (Matthew 25:40): whatever favor Philemon grants Onesimus will be seen as a favor done to Paul.

REFRESH MY HEART IN CHRIST = The Greek “anapauo” (Strongs #G373) meaning “refresh, have rest, be exempt from stress.” In Philemon 1:7 Paul expressed his joy in the fact that Philemon had refreshed the hearts of the saints. Now Paul asks for Philemon to do the same for him -- a request Philemon could hardly refuse as a brother in Christ.

Phile 1:21

CONFIDENT = Greek "peitho" (Strongs #G3982) meaning "to persuade, to make friends with." Paul simply trusts Philemon to do what is right.

OBEDIENCE = Greek "hupakoe" (Strongs #G5218) meaning "to obey, comply." Generally in the NT it refers to the obedience of a slave to a master. However, the obedience Paul refers to here is Gospel-obedience (Romans 10:16; Philippians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:14). It is more than granting Paul's request -- it is conforming to the command of Christ that those who have been treated kindly by Him are to show kindness to others (Matthew 18:21-35).

YOU WILL DO MORE THAN I ASK = Paul had asked that Philemon welcome and forgive Onesimus. To do more than that would be to free Onesimus from slavery (see the phrase "no longer as a slave" in Philemon 1:16). Thus Christianity's recognition that all are brothers in Christ is the ultimate solution to slavery.

Phile 1:22

PREPARE A GUEST ROOM FOR ME = The possibility that Paul would visit Philemon should spur him on to respond quickly to Paul's appeal regarding Onesimus.

I HOPE = Paul recognized God's providential leading in his own life, just as he pointed it out in Philemon's life (Philemon 1:15).

IN ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYERS = How could Philemon pray for Paul to be released from imprisonment and then refuse to release Onesimus from slavery?

Phile 1:23

EPAPHRAS = Means "lovely" (Strongs #G1889). He was the pastor of the Colossian church (Colossians 4:12-13).

FELLOW PRISONER = Greek "sunaichmalotos" (Strongs #G4869) meaning "a fellow prisoner of war." It is likely that Epaphras was in chains with Paul, and also facing execution, since in Philemon 1:24 Paul refers to four others as "my fellow workers" rather than "my fellow prisoners."

IN CHRIST = We are "in Christ" when we hear and believe the Gospel (Ephesians 1:13); and we remain "in Christ" by holding firmly to the end (Hebrews 3:14).

Phile 1:24

MARK = This is John-Mark, the young man whose inability to overcome the hardships of missionary life caused a rift between Paul and Barnabas years earlier (Acts 15:37-39). Now Paul thoroughly appreciates Mark's help. Mark later wrote the Gospel of Mark.

ARISTARCHUS = One of Paul's faithful companions who traveled with him and shared his imprisonment in Rome (Acts 19:29; 27:2; Colossians 4:10). Legend indicates he died a martyr's death during Nero's persecution of Christianity.

DEMAS = Assisted Paul during his imprisonment, but later apostatized (2 Timothy 4:10).

LUKE = The physician who traveled extensively with Paul and assisted him during his final imprisonment and martyrdom. Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke.

Sydney Cleveland, 172 Suncrest Drive, Greenwood, IN 46143 317 885-8122

scleveland@prodigy.net

Permission to use The Cleveland Bible Commentary in your personal study is freely given, however this Commentary is not in the public domain. The author retains all copyrights © and ownership of this commentary, world wide. This means you cannot copy, revise, change, republish, or distribute The Cleveland Bible Commentary in any way, including electronically, except as provided here. Nor may you use it in any manner other than for your own personal study, except as stated here, without my written permission. You may quote from The Cleveland Bible Commentary in materials used in your personal teaching at educational institutions, including churches and Bible classes sponsored by your church, as long as the quotation does not exceed twenty-five percent of the entire Cleveland Bible Commentary verse notes on any single chapter. For example, this means if I comment on twenty-four verses in Matthew chapter 19, you may directly quote my comments on six verses of your choice in Matthew 19 without requesting permission.

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