Philemon 1:4-7: Great Joy and Consolation in Thy Love
2022-06-04
Philemon 1:4
While it seems that Philemon was not as close to Paul as others such as Timothy, this did not stop Paul from praying for Philemon consistently. This is a remarkable thing; Paul prayed for others, and mentioned specifically for what he prayed, to the Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, and to his close friend Timothy. He prayed for Philemon here. If Paul prayed for essentially everyone he met, both corporately and individually, he truly fulfilled the command, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Prayer is something that we can easily forget or easily consider it a waste if you are not truly looking for an answer from God. The phrase “thoughts and prayers” has become a cliché met with snide remarks from the world. It has become tantamount to making it look like you are doing something when you are doing nothing. Prayer is valuable when really done in faith, and when it comes from us really trusting and needing the Lord. Prayer may cause us to action, but prayer also may be relying on God when He is the only one who can provide a solution.
Here, we see the apostle Paul’s reliance on prayer as important, praying for everyone whom he knew. We also should pray for everyone we know. This would include when they have needs that need to be met, but also that they would be effective for the Gospel’s sake. Here, we also see this includes thanksgiving.
We now consider what Paul prayed for Philemon.
Philemon 1:5
Here, we see “why” Paul prayed for Philemon, and why he thanked God for him. The apostle saw how Philemon was a man of love. This means that he had a sacrificial servant’s heart. According to Philemon 1:7, we see that he refreshed fellow believers. We might see this in the opening his home for the church to meet. This would include a spirit of hospitality and giving. The house never looks the same when people leave from when they first arrived. You must adjust your life when you have people in your home.
Philemon was also a man of faith. Faith, when it operates, is evidenced by love. “...faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6). Faith and love are often paired together. “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:13), where charity is the same type of love. They are both fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Paul likewise gave thanks for the Ephesian church for the traits that were also evident in Philemon’s life (Ephesians 1:15-17). Again, he prayed for them in Ephesians 3:17-19. We learn Christ by faith and love. There are many other such examples (search for faith and love being used in the same verse throughout the Bible).
Philemon’s love and faith are in Christ and is evidenced by his love for other believers.
Philemon 1:6
Here, we see “what” Paul prayed for Philemon. He prayed that Philemon’s faith will be evident enough so that other people will know Christ.
His faith is “communicated” to others effectively when others see Christ in him. Jesus Christ is the source of all the love that is outpoured through Philemon to others. Every good thing that is in Philemon is from the Lord. Previously, we spoke at length about being “zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14) and being “careful to maintain good works” because these “things are good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:8). These things testify of God’s goodness and the power of the risen Christ. These things accompany the Gospel and demonstrate its truth, power, and love.
We need to pray that our deeds the Lord works through us will return dividends in the form of salvation and discipleship.
Notice “every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” This “you” is plural. This applies to all the recipients: Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church in Philemon’s house.
Philemon 1:7
The prayer for a spiritual return on investment in the life of Philemon is warranted because Paul and others have recognized the gift of love in him. The result of all that Philemon has done for others caused Paul, Timothy, and other companions of theirs (note “we”) much joy and comfort. To the saints, Philemon’s love has brought them refreshment, or rest of heart.