Philemon 22-25 PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT There are some things among God's people that we should face that are occasionally overlooked. Our oneness in Christ as "the body of Christ" needs to be nurtured because there is a tendency to divide into groups that separate us. Our national heritage can create barriers between us and other saints simply because we have the same accent in our speech. Racial differences separate people when we do not share the same history and we dwell on our differences rather than our similarities. National pride is a barrier to Christian fellowship even though we share the same citizenship in heaven. These things are not of God and the result is barriers are in place that hinder our worship, our fellowship and our labor in the Gospel.
There was a variety of men with Paul when he was in prison in Rome that should help us see the value of unity of believers in the body of Christ. Paul and Mark were the only Jews in the group written about to
Philemon. Luke was from Troas in Mysia. Epaphras was from Colossae in Phrygia. Aristarchus from Thessalonica in Macedonia and likely Demas was from there also. Here is this divergent group of men all working together to further the Gospel, and all are sending their greetings to Philemon. In the work of God and in the body of Christ, every person is important because each one has a unique gift to use for the Lord for the benefit of the whole body.
Paul expected to be released from prison and planned to go to Colossae as soon as that delay was over. He was released in Rome shortly after writing this letter. Whether he was ever able to get to Colossae is not recorded in the scriptures. He did want to go there though, and likely wanted to see both Philemon and Onesimus "who is one of you" in happy fellowship in the assembly of God's people. He would likely have been gladly received into Philemon's home or at least been given the benefit of hospitality wherever he had "prepared a room." Hospitality being shown to others is a good testimony to the work of grace in the lives of God's people. Much of what we share when we have others in our homes is actually a learning time in which we minister to each other from the grace we have received. There are things we can often pass on privately in homes more effectively than we can or are given opportunity to, in a public meeting.
Paul's request for a room to lodge in would have added weight to his intercession for Onesimus who Paul obviously expected to be reinstated into Philemon's service. Now as a brother in Christ instead of only a slave, there would have been a new relationship between master and slave that Paul would have liked to see. Philemon would not want to have disappointed the apostle he loved, and certainly would not have wanted him to think he disregarded his intercession for Onesimus. Many lives have been changed when those in the family of God have opened their homes to others and have found a blessing greatly than the inconvenience it might have been. Sons and daughters have met new friends and some have married and started new Christian homes because of hospitality being shown to strangers. Some have "entertained angels unawares" when they have opened their homes and hearts to those who we didn't know when we met.
The prayers of God's people have a special place in the hearts of those who serve the Lord in distant places as well as near at hand. The intercessory work of prayer is a mighty spiritual force in the work going on around the world where the Gospel is being preached. Prayer opens doors that were closed until God intervened and barriers were removed. The interaction of our prayers for each other in the family of God makes the fellowship we share very significant. From many directions to the throne of grace goes the prayers of intercession, thanksgiving, supplication and adoration. From the throne of grace comes answers in that create a unity and fellowship of purpose, grace and love.
Plans and prayer go together as we look ahead to the needs of God's people and to the work to which we have been called. It is appropriate to make plans and set goals that are scriptural and on which we can ask God's blessing. Not always are our plans what God intended so we pray about them and ask that the will of the Lord be done. Sometimes the way is opened that we expected and hoped for because God's answer was "Yes." Other times doors are closed because God's answer is "No" or "Wait awhile." Paul wanted to go back to the churches in the east like Colossae and also to Philippi before going west to Spain, but what we want or plan is always subject to the divine will of God. That is why we pray, and in that way put ourselves in a position to know what God wants.
The fellowship of friends in Christ Jesus is very important. This list of people gives us understanding as to how valuable other people are to us in the work of the Lord. They are all different and all have gifts from God to suit them to the work God gives them to fulfill. These men mentioned were probably all known to Philemon, so they "saluted" him. They were voluntarily confined to Rome, and in the case of Epaphras, to prison, for the sake of Paul and the ministry they could give him. Their names are mentioned as an expression of appreciation for their service.
Epaphras was from Colossae and perhaps was known to Philemon all his life. He would have been a very special person to those in that assembly because it was through him the Gospel was preached there and many of them were saved. Then he would have continued to be with them in the establishing of the testimony into a scripturally gathered church. He would have been grieved at the fact that some of the believers there were paying attention to the false teaching that had come among them. He was doubtless faithful to them when persecution arose and the Jewish teachers and others who mixed asceticism with the doctrine of God, we making headway with some of the saints. It may have been for that reason also he had visited Paul at Rome where he was incarcerated with him in prison. Whatever he told Paul it resulted in apostolic authority being applied when he wrote the epistle to the Colossians that was carried by Tychicus at the same time as the personal letter to Philemon.
There are costs to being associated with the resurrected Christ that we cannot avoid. We should not fear this nor should we seek to avoid that which we know is right both for the people of God and for the furtherance of the Gospel. Epaphras may have been imprisoned for just being associated with Paul but his name is of more value when it comes to eternal things than that of the emperor at the time. Nero was not a nice man and his name is associated with cruelty and hatred while a comparatively unknown man of that day, Epaphras, is associated with grace and peace, forgiveness and reconciliation, and the breaking down of barriers between people.
Mark had been with Barnabas and Paul earlier on in the work of the Lord, but had turned back. For some time, Paul did not want him to be with him in the work, but now he is back with Paul and was "profitable" to him. The Holy Spirit used Mark to write on of the Gospel accounts of the Lord's time here on earth. He probably was an amanuensis for Peter, so was a man capable of putting down carefully that which was told him. He would have been trusted now and his experience in writing may have been especially useful to Paul. Even though a person may fail, he is not necessarily finished for life if he is able and willing to learn from his mistakes and start over again at the beginning. A faithful man is a useful man. The willingness of the apostle Paul to use this man again is an encouragement to us to not ignore one who has failed but has been restored to God. His work may be different from now on but when one has been humbled, he may be more effective in some work than he was before in a different work.
Aristarchus had been traveling with Paul for quite a long time and had been able to work with others from a variety of different backgrounds. He was still with him and was still faithful in his labors with him. He, along with Gaius, had been taken by the rioting crowd when they were in Ephesus. The anger against the Gospel had been directed toward him and others even though he may not have been filling a public speaking role. This "faithful companion" serve God by serving God's servant and was satisfied with that. It is not always easy to keep on doing a work for God without being noticed. But when we know this is where we are supposed to be, and this is what we are supposed to be doing, then that is enough.
Demas was still with Paul, but is a warning to all of us that we may be a help in the work of the Lord and then get turned aside very quickly. None of us are immune from the attractions of the world. Neither are we ever out of reach of temptation. The problem isn't with the world because it is what it is, as we live in it as pilgrims and strangers. Nor is the problem with temptation, because that is always with us. When we start to move toward the world's attractions and when we yield to temptation, that is when we have problems. Sin doesn't seem quite so bad and we become comfortable when we allow ourselves to make excuses for what we know inwardly is wrong.
Luke along with those other men, was a "fellow worker," each one with a God-given gift to use along with their natural talents and acquired abilities. These are to be sanctified for the Master's use and can be a blessing to many others. Luke was likely a man of compassion as most doctors are. When a person has a care and concern for others, there is a wide scope of use for them in the work of the Lord. Luke obviously felt the need of the Lord's people having a good understanding of the life of our Lord as a perfect man when He was here on earth. The Spirit of God used that man to write a clear and masterful account of the years of our Lord on earth beginning from the preparation of John for His coming, to His birth, special accounts of His ministry all the way through to His death, resurrection and ascension. Those unique features of the Gospel of Luke have opened the understanding of many who have come to understand "the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Then later in his written ministry for the Lord, he is used by the Holy Spirit to give the account of the early church in the book of Acts. Much of that concerns the life of Paul which he would have learned first hand from Paul. As a doctor he was able to minister to Paul's physical injuries and his on-going ailment. This would have been greatly appreciated. His compassion was needed and was given. As an educated, practically trained physician he would have been careful in the writing of both Luke and Acts so that the written words would have been true to the facts. He was truly the "beloved physician." Our words leave behind us a picture of who we are. Even the greatest preacher we know of needed the personal care of Luke and appreciated that care. What we really are, whether it is excellence or failure, is revealed when no one is looking or even taking notice of its value.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ working in Philemon was what Paul was relying on to break down the barriers between him and Onesimus, and establish this new relationship that is found in Christ. Now it was on the grounds of faith in Christ that transformed the master-slave relationship into the relationship of two brothers in Christ. Their station in life had not changed but the new birth had changed the men. When that happens friendship can develop between two people that creates the bond of fellowship in Christ no matter what our calling in life is. Life holds for us no greater blessing than the favor of the Savior being with us constantly.
The book of Philemon begins with grace and peace being prayed for by Paul and now closes with grace that is personal and experienced. Dignity, courtesy and tact are never out of vogue among God's people. They are invaluable in the interaction of saints between each other. Respect and honor one for the other warms the hearts of all and produces the desire to act as graciously as possible for the well-being of each. Warmth and affection are so important to maintain fellowship and joy among the family of God who seek to live for our Lord and please Him. That attitude breaks down barriers between believers and binds us in happy fellowship to each other. It also promotes the work of God in which we are engaged. Being bound together in the bonds of the Gospel and by the truth of God's word gives power to the work of Christians who demonstrate Christian love and grace.
It is like God to give examples of truth so I can understand The redemptive analogies found in the Bible, but also in every land There are practices and illustrations so that all men everywhere can see There is grace sufficient and forgiveness paid for and now is free To all who grasp the fact that payment is made, "Put that on my account." Debt settlement has been made by another to remove guilt we could not surmount So now we can experience not only relief but be assured payment is no longer needed Because when the truth of grace meeting the debt, we listened, believed on and heeded.
Now, though once a slave to sin and all its diabolical claims We have been freed from those chains by the power of Jesus' name Freed to walk in newness of life, free in the new family of faith This liberty is real, without our additions it is mine by His redeeming grace The outworking of that can often be seen when together God's people do gather With a commonality unknown to people around who do not know our heavenly Father As those who have been freed and in liberty, we don't scatter but unify Because that freedom has brought blessed slavery that independence cannot supply.
Life is now lived with a reason, and not just for a season as we seek our Master to please Through each day we live, opportunities are there just waiting for our hands to seize That we might express in ways that are best when we can't find right words to put down Yet each day brings us ways to offer our praise to the One who as our Lord we crown From redeemed hearts and minds, in words we can find at least in a little way to say "Lord from Thy heart of great grace, let Thy servant here trace some blessings along the way That we can give to others, maybe our sisters and brothers, who we can encourage and relieve a sigh So that if tonight is the night, when faith gives way to sight, we will rejoice when we are raised on high."
"I don't know Father, what this day holds. But if there is some lasting value in what I am doing, please use it for Thy glory. And the Lord's people I connect with often are saying they would like to be with Thee in heaven now. So if this is the day of Christ's coming, please keep us from being too surprised. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."