Day 204 – Monday, October 13, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Philemon

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

Greeting

¹ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, ² to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

(Philemon 1–3, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• In this letter to Philemon, Paul identified himself as a prisoner, and Timothy as his companion.
• While the letter is primarily associated with Philemon, Paul also recognized Apphia, Archippus, and the church that met with them.
• He summed up the greeting with his typical greeting of grace and peace from God.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

⁴ I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, ⁵ hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, ⁶ that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ⁷ For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. 

(Philemon 4–7, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul spoke of his appreciation for them, and told them that he prayed for them often.
• He applauded their love and faith toward Jesus and the saints, and wished for their witness to be strong.

The Plea for Onesimus

⁸ Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—¹⁰ I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, ¹¹ who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

¹² I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, ¹³ whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. ¹⁴ But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

¹⁵ For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 

(Philemon 8–16, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul then moved into his real purpose for writing.
• He told Philemon that he had the authority in the Lord to tell him what to do, but instead would request that he forgive Onesimus, who was once not worthy of praise, but is now worthy.
• Onesimus was a servant of Philemon, but ran away before his commitment was up. Somehow, he ended up going to Paul and being his disciples for a time.
• Paul taught him and mentored him, and now Onesimus was a responsible Christian. Paul even wanted to keep him with him as a son, but knew he was obligated to Philemon. Therefore, he asked Philemon to take him back, and to see that he was valuable.
• He saw that Philemon had a claim to Onesimus’ time and loyalty, but also that Philemon would now see him as more than a servant or slave, but as a true brother in the faith.

Philemon’s Obedience Encouraged

¹⁷ If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. ¹⁸ But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. ¹⁹ I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. ²⁰ Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

²¹ Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. ²² But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. 

(Philemon 17–22, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul appealed to Philemon’s partnership and brotherhood. He offered to pay Onesimus’ debt. He reminded Philemon that he owed Paul his very life.
• Paul asked that he make his heart joyful by doing this thing.
• Paul spoke of his confidence in Philemon, and told him that he would come to see him soon.

Farewell

²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, ²⁴ as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.

²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. 

(Philemon 23–25, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul then offered greetings from his companions, and then offered a blessing of grace before closing the letter.

• Paul’s letter to Philemon speaks to forgiveness, grace, and brotherhood. We must forgive others, and offer grace to those in need. We must also see each other as more than acquaintances, but rather as brothers and sisters, laborers together in the harvest.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.