Charles Spurgeon Commentary Philemon 1

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ,—

This is one of Paul's private letters, though it bears the stamp of inspiration. It was not written about church business, nor to teach some great doctrinal truth. Rather, it concerned a runaway slave who had come to Rome, had been converted under Paul's ministry, and whom Paul was sending back to his master. This was the letter the slave was to take with him, to make some sort of apology for him and to ask his master to receive him with kindness and forgive his fault.

Every word of this Epistle is very wisely put. Paul begins by calling himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Who would not grant him his desire when he was wearing a chain for Christ's sake? If a letter were to come to you from some beloved minister, whom you knew to be lying in a dungeon and likely soon to die, you would be greatly touched if you noticed the traces of the rust of his chains on the letter. Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ,—

And Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

He joins Timothy with himself, to give double weight to the message. Probably Timothy was well known to Philemon, and much respected by him, so he puts Timothy's name that there might be two to plead with him. Then, notice the loving titles with which Paul addresses Philemon: our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer.

Probably the person whom Paul called beloved Apphia was Philemon's wife, so he writes to her also. Perhaps the wife was the more tender-hearted of the two, and might put in a good word for Onesimus, and her husband would all the more readily grant Paul's request. He also mentions Archippus, who was either the pastor of the church at Colosse, or an evangelist who stayed occasionally at the house of Philemon. So he mentions him with all the rest of the household who met there for worship, and so made up the church in the house.

Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.

Paul recalls how much Philemon had done in the comforting of persecuted and poor saints. And when you are about to ask a favor of anyone, it is well to show your gratitude for what you or others have already received from him.

Therefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

He says in effect, "I am an apostle, and I am your spiritual father, so I might have spoken with authority to you, and have said, 'It is your duty to do this;' but I am not going to do anything of the kind. I am going to plead with you, and ask it of you as a kindness and a favor. Pay a loving tribute to my old age; and besides that, I am a prisoner confined in the dungeon for Christ's sake; hear the clanking of my chains, and grant my request for love's sake."

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

"He came to hear me preach in the prison. He has been listening to me while I am still a captive, and he has been given to me, as another son in the gospel, to be a comfort to me in my bonds. I appeal to you for him."