Philemon 1 "Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,"

	PAUL IS A PRISONER IN ROME. He is not in chains because of any crime, nor did he regard himself as the prisoner of the empire.
	PAUL CLAIMED TO BE THE PRISONER OF CHRIST JESUS. Paul was bound to Jesus as His messenger to the nations, no matter what the cost.
	PAUL WAS BITTERLY PERSECUTED, as he responsibly contended for freedom of the Gentiles in Christ (Acts 14:5-6,19-20; Acts 16:22-24; Acts 22:27-30 ).
	PAUL REJOICED IN HIS SUFFERING, on behalf of the Gentiles (Colossians 1:24 ), and his participation in the afflictions of the corporate body of Christ (Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:13 ), which Jesus Himself counts as His own (Acts 9:4-5 ).

Paul earned the right to speak of self-denial to Philemon, by his life of self-sacrifice. To achieve this Paul appealed to the sympathy of Philemon in referring to his own willing sacrifice for Christ and the gospel. It was expected that Philemon sacrifice his own rights as master, and receive his returned runaway slave as his dear brother in Christ. Such action by Philemon would demonstrate a worthy walk in the faith (Ephesians 4:1 ), because receiving another just as Christ had received him (Romans 15:7 ). In contrast with Paul's sacrifice Philemon would regard his own as a small one to make. Sacrificial leadership effectively influences others and there is an ongoing influence that is far reaching and pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:16 ). Timothy is mentioned as Paul's companion in sacrificial leadership (Philemon 1 ). Paul had committed men around him whose self-denial was unquestioned. A team is usually made up of men who are actively like their leader. There are modern examples of wrong leadership styles that are to be shunned. The Pauline servant - self denying -sacrificial way is to be emulated.

Philemon 2 "... and to the church in your house:"

(Romans 16:5; Colossians 4:15 ).

"Early Christians built no large churches or cathedrals. Instead they met in homes for worship and sharing. Based on the size of homes in 1st century cities, meetings must have accommodated a very limited number of people. Yet as Paul's letters show, there was a sense of identity with the greater body of believers who lived in the city, and beyond that, with believers throughout the world. The way of loving one another learned in the "small group" New Testament church, carried over into the way Christians related to one another at every level." L.O. Richards - The Bible Readers Companion - Victor Books USA. Canada. England

Lukyn Williams makes the point that the return of Onesimus would also concern the Church which gathered in Philemon's house "Because it was in that congregation that Onesimus would have been recognized as a Christian. Further, some at least of the worshippers there would be his fellow-servants with whom he must be properly reinstated." Lukyn A. Williams - The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians and Philemon

There is sacrifice and responsibility on the part of all the family when their house is one set apart for the assembly of God's people. It can mean the surrender of some home comforts; even the spoiling of possessions - and being open house at all hours in serving others can mean the loss of rights and personal privacy. Such sacrifice is pleasing to God:

	BECAUSE it shows true love for Him, and obedience (1 John 4:19; 1 John 5:1-2; John 14:21,23 ).
	BECAUSE it expresses a desire to follow God wholeheartedly (1 Chronicles 22:19; Exodus 35:21 ).
	BECAUSE it shows that following Jesus is not necessarily easy or comfortable (Matthew 8:19-20 TLB ).
	BECAUSE it indicates a willingness to give up anything the Lord may ask of you (1 Corinthians 10:24; Matthew 5:42 ).
	BECAUSE it declares real love for the people of God (1 John 4:21; John 13:35 ).
	BECAUSE it reveals personal delight in getting physically involved in God's good, pleasing, and perfect plans for you (Romans 12:1-2 ).

Paul's way of addressing Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus, points to their possibly being a family in leadership of a house Church.

Philemon 1 "Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,"

This was no empty, formal statement. Rather it expressed knowledge of him as one who endeared himself to others of the Christian community. The word "our" uniting the writer Paul and his associates and all who heard the letter read in the local fellowship, there would be nods of agreement all around. They knew just how dear a friend he was to all of them, and his capacity to befriend Onesimus.

Some, unlike Paul and Philemon, avoid friendship, opting for distancing themselves in fear of a familiarity that might bring contempt for their leadership. That is not the Jesus way - even in the most personal times of crises Jesus had disciples with him, and was open before them (Matthew 17:1-2; Matthew 26:36-46; Hebrews 5:7-9 ). Jesus did not treat His own as servants but as friends. He shared His heart with them (John 15:14-15 ). Leadership that is Christlike will be vulnerable to followers, in real self-sacrificing friendship (John 15:13 ). Such leadership will express itself in loyalty, love and support (Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 18:24 ). In true friendship they will comfort and encourage (3 John 5 ). May the designation "dear friend" in the truest sense be common among us.

Paul laboured hard in the gospel. To count Philemon a "fellow" in that labour is high commendation and recognition. Both men and women are needed to work hard in the harvesting of souls (Philemon 1; Romans 16:3 ). We need to pray the Lord of the harvest to increase the labourers (Matthew 9:37- 38 ). Those who labour in the Word should be specially honoured by us (1 Timothy 5:17 ).

Philemon 2 "to the beloved ..."

Most of the old commentaries infer that Apphia is Philemon's wife. Support for this is that she is mentioned in the "to who" part of the letter. As Philemon's wife she probably had much to do with the supervision of the slaves. The appeal by Paul would just as much be addressed to her because husband and wife would be involved in the decision concerning Onesimus. Paul referred to her as "our sister" (Philemon 2 NIV), that is, in Christ she was one with her husband in faith and service. Apphia may be recognised as one whose ministry was that of the older women - one who was "reverent in behavior" and a teacher of " good things" (Titus 2:3-5 NKJV). Apphia enjoyed recognition and appreciation as one of the special sisters in Christ mentioned in Paul's inspired letters. She stands among a grand company:-

	Phoebe (Romans 16:1 );
	Priscilla (Romans 16:3 );
	Mary (Romans 16:6 );
	Tryphena and Tryphosa (Romans 16:12 );
	Julia (Romans 16:15 );
	Narcissus (Romans 16:11 );
	Euodia and Syntyche (Philemon 4:3 ).

Can you name sisters in the Lord in your fellowship, whose grace and gifts make them candidates for a modern list? How we should appreciate and value the great company of women who publish the good news and serve Christ.

Philemon 2 "... Archippus our fellow soldier, ..."

Paul addressed his letter to Philemon, Apphia and Archippus. It is fairly assumed that Archippus is Philemon's son. What a joy to have a son with gift ministry. (Ephesians 4:11 ). Archippus is urged to fulfill the ministry received from the Lord (Colossians 4:17 ). In this way Paul recognised, endorsed and motivated his ministry. Archippus is described as a "fellow soldier". It was a great honour to be reckoned as a fellow with Paul a distinguished and great warrior in the Lord's army. As a soldier of Jesus Christ Archippus was expected:

	to endure hardship (2 Timothy 2:3 );
	to obey the Lord first (Acts 4:19 );
	to be persevering under trial (James 1:12 );
	to use spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4 );
	to fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12 );
	to avoid hindering entanglements and to please the Lord as his commanding officer (2 Timothy 2:4 );
	to be an overcomer (1 John 2:13 );
	to obtain the overcomer's rewards (Revelation 2:7; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21; 21:7 ).

Archippus may have been the overseer of the whole church at Colosse, having been given that responsibility upon Epaphras leaving for Rome. That being so he was expected, as Paul's fellow soldier to contend for the faith against the false teachers who were disturbing the Colossian Church.

What a blessing to have gifted families united in committed service to the Lord. It testifies to the home being one set apart to the Word and prayer (2 Timothy 1:5 ). It implies that those who make up the home practice what they believe (Matthew 7:20 ). It indicates that every family member had received spiritual gifts, and had leadership qualities (2 Timothy 1:6 ). Families in ministry need not be the exception, rather, we can expect them to be the normal amongst us.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. How important is it to earn the right to conceal self-sacrifice of another? (Philemon 1 ).
2. Would you be willing to surrender some home comforts for the advancement of God's kingdom? (Philemon 2 ).
3. Is it good that a family be the leaders of a local church? (Philemon 1-2 ).
4. Can leaders be friends with those they lead? (Philemon 1 NKJV).
5. Would you regard as a labourer, one who is occupied in harvesting and caring for souls? (Philemon 2 )
6. What do you learn from Apphia being addressed by Paul? (Philemon 2 )
7. If you had a son would you be delighted if he had a called-out gift ministry? (Philemon 2 ).