Paul's Prison Epistles: Paul and PhilemonSample

Thanksgiving: Philemon 4-7

Following the salutation, we find Paul’s thanksgiving for Philemon in verses 4-7. Paul commonly included a section on thanksgiving at this point in his letters. 

Paul spoke mainly of Philemon’s love for the church, thanking the Lord for the ways Philemon had blessed his fellow believers in Colosse. Paul praised Philemon with these words in Philemon 5-7:

I hear about … your love for all the saints. … Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints (Philemon 5-7).

Paul did not say what Philemon had done, but he did mention that it had been refreshing for the saints. Perhaps Philemon had come to their financial relief, or had performed works of service for them, or had done them some other benefit. Whatever it had been, Philemon had done it well and with a good heart. And since Onesimus had become part of the church, Paul expected Philemon to show him the same love.

Consider the situation between Philemon and Onesimus in light of Paul’s teaching in Colossians 3:12-14 where Paul wrote these words:

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:12-14).

Paul had called the Colossians, including Philemon, to remember that God loves and forgives all believers. And he had encouraged them to reflect the same love toward one another, patiently bearing with one another when wronged, and forgiving grievances rather than demanding recompense.

The application to Philemon and Onesimus is not hard to see. Onesimus had wronged Philemon — Paul affirmed that this was true. Yet, he asked Philemon to love consistently, to show Onesimus the same love that he showed to other believers. He asked Philemon to bear up patiently under the wrong he had suffered and to forgive Onesimus rather than punish him. By affirming Philemon’s love, Paul encouraged him to be consistent in his character, and not to let his anger overrule his love when it came to Onesimus