Philemon 23-25

Summary retelling of Philemon 23-25

Paul tells Philemon that Epaphras sends his greetings to Philemon.  Paul also tells Philemon that Epaphras is a fellow prisoner.  Paul reminds Philemon that Mark (John Mark), Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke (the author of Luke and Acts) are also with him and they also send their greetings.  Paul then wishes the grace of God to be upon Philemon.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul reminds Philemon that Epaphras is with him.  In a way, this can be seen as adding weight to Paul’s request about the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus.  This is especially true when Paul adds the list of other people with him. All of these people are big names in the developing church, and they all see things as Paul sees them.  However, this is not simply a “name-dropping” tactic.  Paul is also reminding Philemon that these people care about Onesimus and they care that Philemon and Onesimus are able to work things out together.  Yes, it is a statement for accountability.  But it is likewise a statement of care withing the fellowship of believers.

Why does it sometimes help to have a list of names of people who agree with a certain position when making a decision?  Why does it also help to know that a bunch of people are concerned about an issue that we might be facing?

Second Thought:

Paul mentions to Philemon that Epaphras is a fellow prisoner with him.  Remember that Epaphras is likely the disciple from Ephesus that went to Colossae in order to found a church there.  Thus, Paul is really telling Philemon that the man who brought him into the faith is in jail because of the faith.  Paul is showing Philemon that ministry is costly.  Living according to God’s ways always takes sacrifice.  One of my favorite quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer comes from his book Cost of Discipleship: “Which Christ calls a man, he calls him to come and die.”

Why would Paul want to remind Philemon about the sacrifice necessary to live out God’s ways?

Third Thought:

Paul wishes for the grace of God to be upon Philemon.  This is more than just a benediction to close the letter.  Paul genuinely desires that Philemon be filled with the grace of God.  Unless Philemon is filled with the grace of God, he will not have what it takes to make the right spiritual decision.  For that matter, unless each of us are filled with the grace of God, none of us have the strength to live God’s ways.  This is no mere benediction, this is a reminder that the ability to live out God’s ways comes from God.

Does it bother you to think that the only reason any of us can do anything good is because God gives us the strength?  What does this really say about what Christians believe to be true about human nature?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Timothy 1:1-2