Christ was a clique breaker. He encouraged diversity and empowers cliques to branch out and not bunch up. One of the greatest models of branching our instead of bunching up is in this short letter of Philemon. As you S.O.A.P. this personal letter of reconciliation, consider what keeps you bunched up instead of branching out for Jesus. Ask God to untangle the prejudice, stereotypes and labels that keep you from branching out.
Context:
Paul's letter to Philemon is the most personal of all his letters. It is written on behalf of Onesimus, a slave who had fled from his master Philemon and had somehow become Paul's friend and convert to the Christian faith while Paul was in prison (verse 10). Paul is returning Onesimus to his master, and the letter is written to intercede with Philemon, who had been converted to the Christian faith by Paul (verse 10), to receive Onesimus back as a Christian brother (verses 15–17). It should be remembered that at that time a runaway slave, when caught, could be put to death by his master.
This letter is closely related to Paul's letter to the Colossians. Assuming that Colossians is by Paul (which some scholars deny), the letter to Philemon was written at the same time and from the same place as the letter to the Christians at Colossae (see Introduction to Colossians).
In Colossians 4.9, Onesimus is said to be from Colossae; as a consequence, it must be assumed that Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets in Philemon's house are all also in Colossae, but this is not explicitly said in the letter to Philemon.
Paul is in prison (verses 1, 10, 23); Timothy is named as a fellow writer (verse 1); and with Paul are Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke (verses 23–24). He hopes to be set free from prison before long and to go visit Philemon and the others (verse 22). - Robert G. Bratcher and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on Paul's Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon
Scripture
This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, 2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house. 3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, 5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people.
Observations
- Paul was prisoner literally and figuratively
- Preach about Christ Jesus
- Valued relationships
- Had a passion for the church
- Giving and grateful
- Philemon lived his faith loud
Applications
- What do I get in trouble for? Ouch, not the gospel. Work on that!
- Do my words express the Gospel
- Connect with various types of people
- Pray and have more passion for other churches
- Pray more for those churches and brothers
- Evaluate the prejudices that keep me from living a loud faith!
Prayer
I am so inspired when I read a letter from Paul. I want to thank You for mentors I can met with in your Word daily. I'm challenged by Paul to reach out to diverse people and value those relationships. I'm also led by Philemon to live out load! God empower me to be known for my love and faith! I want You name to be glorified through my life whether I'm Paul in prison or Philemon in a palace.
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