Philemon 1:1-25
1:1 Paul happily announces himself as a prisoner of God and therefore it benefits us to talk about servitude and imprisonment in relation to God. Those who are spiritually awakened developing realize that to be claimed by God is a blessing, a return to our natural state. The negative connotations of imprisonment thus can be shed: our work with God is a mutual effort, 1 Corinthians 3:9. From within the complete encasement of God's love and wisdom, his "prisoners" thrive. The bars of God's children's ensure an impenetrable, invulnerable infinity and abundance of love and life.
1:2-3 With a prayer for grace and peace, Paul writes specifically to Philemon, meaning "affectionate" in Greek. Paul includes a greeting to Apphia, "fruitful", and Archippus, "master of the horse".
1:4 Paul prays for the people in his life. Praying for others creates an extraordinary opportunity: as God waits for permission to enter the lives of others, your prayer invites His blessings into the lives of those who might not be giving Him that access.
1:5 Paul is warmed by Philemon's love and faith; he is grateful that Philemon is authentic in his kindness and spirituality and that Philemon uses it to encourage others.
1:6-7 Paul's gratitude toward Philemon's humble kindness invites us to discover a fact and opportunity of our lives here: how we live our individual lives impact the collective (humanity). We have the blessed opportunity to refresh, inspire, and encourage the people around us. Our faith becomes effective when it is 1) authentic 2) humble 3) focused 4) passionate 4) productive. Both consciously and subconsciously our words and behavior is acknowledged by others (and thus our philosophy of life is processed by them).
1:8-11 Paul begins a request from Philemon: he would like to remain in company with a man, Onesimus, who had been under Philemon's jurisdiction. Onesimus means "profitable" or "useful" and certainly Onesimus is. For Paul to make this request, we can understand that Onesimus became a beloved and studious student of Paul.
1:12-14 Although our present day global-society is undoubtedly flawed, much of society has abandoned the use of slaves. However in the context of Paul's writing this epistle, slaves were kept. As Onesimus belongs to Philemon, Paul cannot allow him to remain with him.
Keep in mind: As Philemon was within the process of spiritual development, we can guess that he was kind with those in his service. The Bible impresses freedom and impartial love and compassion and it works to lead us through the societal constructions humankind has made (ie. slavery).
1:15-16 Paul's written hope to Philemon is that Onesimus' might be allowed to become a servant of God in faith rather than a servant of man. Paul hopes that Onesimus' freedom will be given.
1:17 Paul devotes his whole self to the case of Onesimus' freedom, for Philemon to see him as the equal that he is. We are here that when we have the means and opportunity to fight for and arranged another's freedom, we have the duty, the blessed responsibility to do so.
1:18 Paul offers to absorb any of Onesimus' debts (which may have perhaps arranged his enslavement). Essentially Paul requests freedom and forgiveness on Onesimus' behalf because Paul has power and clout that Onesimus does not. Paul had grown to know and understand Onesimus and became convinced that he deserved debt-forgiveness and freedom.
1:19 And certainly this can be applied figuratively: we all have debts that we have owed others (and not only monetary debts). When we learn and grow, we should have the opportunity to be reevaluated. We should not be held as slaves to our past debts or mistakes. Paul works to arrange this possibility for Onesimus and teaches us to do the same for others.
Paul reminds Philemon that even he has had debts (an injection of humility and awareness into his plea). As an act of faith, do the right thing and refresh all involved.
1:20 Paul requests from Philemon the joy of Onesimus' redemption and second chance.
1:21-22 Paul believes that Philemon will do the right thing but requests kindly anyway because God's children do not deal any other way but fairly and kindly.
1:23 Paul is confident of their continued friendship and hopes to unite with Philemon for a visit.
1:23-24 Greetings from some of Paul's coworkers (and your ancestral coworkers if you consider yourself a child and fellow-worker of God). Their name meanings:
Epaphras: lovely
Mark: defense
Aristarchus: best ruler
Demas: governor of the people
Luke: light-giving
Jesus Christ: Yahveh (God) is salvation
1:25 "The grace of our Lord be with your spirit. Amen." Remember that you are your soul, your spirit... more than these limited and vulnerable bodies.
1:2-3 With a prayer for grace and peace, Paul writes specifically to Philemon, meaning "affectionate" in Greek. Paul includes a greeting to Apphia, "fruitful", and Archippus, "master of the horse".
1:4 Paul prays for the people in his life. Praying for others creates an extraordinary opportunity: as God waits for permission to enter the lives of others, your prayer invites His blessings into the lives of those who might not be giving Him that access.
1:5 Paul is warmed by Philemon's love and faith; he is grateful that Philemon is authentic in his kindness and spirituality and that Philemon uses it to encourage others.
1:6-7 Paul's gratitude toward Philemon's humble kindness invites us to discover a fact and opportunity of our lives here: how we live our individual lives impact the collective (humanity). We have the blessed opportunity to refresh, inspire, and encourage the people around us. Our faith becomes effective when it is 1) authentic 2) humble 3) focused 4) passionate 4) productive. Both consciously and subconsciously our words and behavior is acknowledged by others (and thus our philosophy of life is processed by them).
1:8-11 Paul begins a request from Philemon: he would like to remain in company with a man, Onesimus, who had been under Philemon's jurisdiction. Onesimus means "profitable" or "useful" and certainly Onesimus is. For Paul to make this request, we can understand that Onesimus became a beloved and studious student of Paul.
1:12-14 Although our present day global-society is undoubtedly flawed, much of society has abandoned the use of slaves. However in the context of Paul's writing this epistle, slaves were kept. As Onesimus belongs to Philemon, Paul cannot allow him to remain with him.
Keep in mind: As Philemon was within the process of spiritual development, we can guess that he was kind with those in his service. The Bible impresses freedom and impartial love and compassion and it works to lead us through the societal constructions humankind has made (ie. slavery).
1:15-16 Paul's written hope to Philemon is that Onesimus' might be allowed to become a servant of God in faith rather than a servant of man. Paul hopes that Onesimus' freedom will be given.
1:17 Paul devotes his whole self to the case of Onesimus' freedom, for Philemon to see him as the equal that he is. We are here that when we have the means and opportunity to fight for and arranged another's freedom, we have the duty, the blessed responsibility to do so.
1:18 Paul offers to absorb any of Onesimus' debts (which may have perhaps arranged his enslavement). Essentially Paul requests freedom and forgiveness on Onesimus' behalf because Paul has power and clout that Onesimus does not. Paul had grown to know and understand Onesimus and became convinced that he deserved debt-forgiveness and freedom.
1:19 And certainly this can be applied figuratively: we all have debts that we have owed others (and not only monetary debts). When we learn and grow, we should have the opportunity to be reevaluated. We should not be held as slaves to our past debts or mistakes. Paul works to arrange this possibility for Onesimus and teaches us to do the same for others.
Paul reminds Philemon that even he has had debts (an injection of humility and awareness into his plea). As an act of faith, do the right thing and refresh all involved.
1:20 Paul requests from Philemon the joy of Onesimus' redemption and second chance.
1:21-22 Paul believes that Philemon will do the right thing but requests kindly anyway because God's children do not deal any other way but fairly and kindly.
1:23 Paul is confident of their continued friendship and hopes to unite with Philemon for a visit.
1:23-24 Greetings from some of Paul's coworkers (and your ancestral coworkers if you consider yourself a child and fellow-worker of God). Their name meanings:
Epaphras: lovely
Mark: defense
Aristarchus: best ruler
Demas: governor of the people
Luke: light-giving
Jesus Christ: Yahveh (God) is salvation
1:25 "The grace of our Lord be with your spirit. Amen." Remember that you are your soul, your spirit... more than these limited and vulnerable bodies.
