CHAPTER ONE

 

 

1:2:  “Apphia, and Archippus” = According to “David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary,” “Apphia was probably the wife of Philemon, and Archippus was probably his son.”  The “Alexandrian” copy reads, “to sister Apphia;” and the “Latin Vulgate Version” reads, “to the beloved sister Apphia;” for this is a woman’s name.

 

Archippus was a preacher of the Gospel at Colosse, which is manifest from Colossians 4:17.  Wherefore, the Apostle styles him as a fellow soldier.

 

1:10:  “my son Onesimus” = That is, “My son in the Gospel.”  Paul pleads with Philemon to accept Onesimus back, not so much as a slave, but as a brother in Christ; which apparently worked (see Col. 4:9).

 

1:11:  “Which in time past was to thee unprofitable” = Apparently, at one time, Onesimus was an unbeliever, but is now converted.

 

1:17:  “If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself” = In verses 12-17 Paul is pleading as if he needed to.  Therefore, we have some insight here as to the true relationship that existed between Onesimus (the servant) and Philemon (the master).  Paul pleads with Philemon to treat Onesimus as a fellow believer, and not just a servant, and to forgive his running away.

 

1:19:  “I will repay it” = Paul offers to pay the debt; but also shames Philemon not to charge him with the statement, “thou owest unto me even thine own self.”

 

“How fitting an illustration of the love of Christ for the repentant sinner!  The servant who had defrauded his master had nothing with which to make restitution.  The sinner who has robbed God of years of service has no means of canceling the debt.  Jesus interposes between the sinner and God, saying, I will pay the debt.  Let the sinner be spared; I will suffer in his stead.”  AA:458.

 

1:23:  “Epaphras” = He was evidently with Paul at Rome when he wrote to the Colossians (see Col. 1:7; 4:21).  However, he must now be with Philemon at Colosse.

 

1:24:  “Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas” = Marcus is mentioned in Colossians 4:10, while Demas is mentioned in Colossians 4:14.  These are more brothers mentioned as being in Colosse.  Aristarchus is mentioned in Acts 20:4, and was dwelling in Thessalonica.  And in Acts 19:29 he is mentioned as being a fellow “companion” of Paul’s (see also Acts 27:2).  “Lucas” is actually “Luke, the beloved physician,” Colossians 4:14.