Monthly Archive for January, 2002

Aristarchus,

Colossians 4:10 mentions Aristarchus with Mark.  Aristarchus was a fellow prisoner with Paul.  He was a Macedonian (Ac 19:29) who lived in Thessalonica (Ac 27:2) and a close associate with Paul.  He went with Paul on his collection mission to Rome. 

Ac 19: ²⁹ “So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.”

Ac 27: ² “So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.”

Demas,

Demas here is commended as a “fellow laborer” of Paul.  Later he became infamous for defecting from Paul.  Paul censured Demas in 2 Timothy 4:10 as forsaking him because he loved this present world.  However, at this point, he is Paul’s “fellow worker.”  Demas started out well but he did not finish well. 

Luke,

Luke is the “beloved physician” and evangelist.  He was a Gentile doctor and author of the gospel of Luke.  Two of this list of five wrote two of the gospels.  Luke was a constant companion of Paul and was with Paul in Rome (Co 4:14; 2 Ti 4:11).  Luke suffered many trials with Paul.  Note the “we” passages in the book of Acts (16:20,21,27,28).  This indicates that Luke was with Paul on his second missionary journey.  He was also with Paul in Jerusalem (Ac 20:6) and on the voyage to Rome (Ac 27).  He was with Paul in Paul’s final imprisonment (2 Ti 4:11). 

my fellow laborers

These last four people were Paul’s “fellow laborers.”  These were people engaged in the cause of Christ.  They all knew Philemon personally. 

Notice the words “fellow laborer” (v. 1), “fellow soldier”(v. 2), “fellow prisoner” (v. 23) and “fellow laborers” in this verse.  Paul is interested in companionship in ministry. 

We come now to the conclusion of Philemon (23-25).  We find greetings from five people: Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke.  One of these was a fellow prisoner (Epaphras) while the other four were “fellow workers.”  All these people are mentioned in Colossians 4:10-16. 

Co 4: ⁷ “Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. ⁸ I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, ⁹ with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. ¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.”

Epaphras,

The New Testament mentions Epaphras three times.  He was the founder of the church at Colosse and the catalyst for evangelism in the Lycus Valley.  Paul probably led him to Christ.  Philemon knew him well.  Colosse was Philemon’s hometown.  Paul made two references to Epaphras in the book of Colossians.  

Co 1: ⁷ “…as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, ⁸ who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.”

Co 4: ¹² “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.”

Epaphras fervently prayed for the Colossian church.  He prayed for their maturity (stand perfect and complete) in Christ. 

my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus,

Epaphras was in jail with Paul in Rome.  He was Paul’s cellmate.  The church at Colosse may have sent Epaphras to Rome to minister to Paul in jail and while there he was imprisoned as well. 

“In Christ Jesus” indicates Paul’s constant connection that his imprisonments were related to the person of Christ. 

greets you

Epaphras sends his salutation to Philemon and church family.  Greeting is an issue of courtesy and respect. 

1 Pt. 3: ⁸ “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous…”

Having confidence in your obedience,

Paul had confidence that Philemon would treat Onesimus well.  The word “obedience” is a stronger word than his more indirect previous appeals.  This “obedience” is not to a command of Paul but to the will of God.  Paul understood something about Philemon’s commitment to the will of God. 

I write to you,

The freedom of Onesimus is the purpose of the epistle to Philemon. 

knowing that you will do even more than I say

Paul anticipated that Philemon would do more than his request to forgive Onesimus and refresh the apostle Paul.  Paul’s high view and expectation of Philemon is further motivation to Philemon. 

Is 32: ⁸ “But a generous man devises generous things,

And by generosity he shall stand.”

The “more than I say” may imply that Philemon will free Onesimus and maybe even permit him to go back to Rome to minister to the apostle Paul.  Grace always goes beyond duty. 

I, Paul, am writing with my own hand.

Paul placed himself under legal contract by writing with his own hand.  This is equivalent to a personal autograph.  Paul puts his signature to the book of Philemon. 

I will repay—

Paul says, “I will make good the debt Onesimus owes you, Philemon.  I do not care about the cost.”

not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides

Paul speaks of restitution.  It is a just act toward Philemon to return Onesimus and pay back whatever he had stolen. 

Philemon owed a debt to Paul, his salvation.  Philemon was a man to whom Onesimus owed a debt but Philemon owed a debt as well.  Philemon’s debt was greater than Onesimus’ debt – his was an eternal debt to God.  He also owed a debt to Paul for sharing the gospel with him so Philemon had a double debt. 

If then you count me as a partner,

Paul viewed Philemon as a partner in ministry and he assumed that Philemon felt the same way.  Paul makes a plea on the basis of their partnership and fellowship in the Lord. 

2 Co 8: ²³ “If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.”

receive him as you would me

The word “receive” means welcome.  Philemon should welcome Onesimus as he would welcome Paul himself.  The word “as” measures the affection that Philemon had toward Paul.  Paul says in effect, “Credit to Onesimus any regard you have for me.  Receive him as you would receive me.”