In our introduction to the book of Philemon we learn a little about the life of Paul the apostle. This great man of faith was one of the most diligent people in history for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, and often his zeal for the Lord Jesus caused him to be arrested, beaten or stoned for it. Paul wrote of the personal price that he paid for sharing the gospel in the book of Second Corinthians in chapter eleven and verses twenty-three through twenty-eight:
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am] more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one. Three times was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, three times I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [In] journeyings often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
In other words, the gospel of Jesus Christ cost Paul tremendously. Paul was familiar with prison, and he was familiar with churches. Paul understood servanthood, and he knew what is was like to be a master. Paul, because of his proclamation of the gospel is now “a prisoner of Jesus Christ” and it is from this man who was made great by the grace of God that we read the following words in Philemon verse one:
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
Paul could have easily identified himself as being “Paul, the well-experienced” or “Paul the apostle” or “Paul the greatest evangelist who ever lived”, but no, Paul lists himself as “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ”. In this book Paul will address Philemon whose name means “one who kisses” about a runaway slave named “Onesimus”. Evidently Onesimus ran away from Philemon and quite possibly stole some items from Philemon when he escaped. We shall learn more of this part of the story later in the book. For now, let it suffice that Paul is identifying with Onesimus as he writes to Philemon. Paul comes as a prisoner rather than a priest. Paul writes as a servant rather than a judge, and the position within which he places himself is masterful when it comes to making an appeal on Onesimus' behalf.
Also we notice that Paul includes “Timothy our brother” within his words. Timothy was a young protégé of Paul, and he was often found with Paul on Paul's missionary journeys. There is nothing like having someone follow in your footsteps even when it comes to difficult situations. Timothy was with Paul, and he is learning from the exploits and ideas that Paul has engaged while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Philemon is the one addressed in this letter, and notice the title of affection that Paul gives him, “our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer.” As we learned yesterday, Philemon was a member of the church located in Colosse. Paul probably met him, told him about Jesus Christ, led him to a relationship with Jesus while beginning the church there. Paul knew of the work within the church of which Philemon was a part, and Paul was grateful for the services that Philemon provided. When we think about this letter that will later make an appeal, these words from Paul begins in a manner of genius.
One last thing, as we study through this book of intercession, we will see parallels to the way Jesus makes intercession on our behalf. Look for them as we travel through Paul's words, and think about how masterful the Heavenly Father was when He inspired Paul to write these words.
Next time we shall continue to look at the opening greeting from Paul to Philemon, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
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