Paul not only knew the value of prayer, he practiced it to the full - personally praying, it would seem, for every individual he met. We can conclude from the many references to his praying, that he believed this was the best way to support others..

	He supported city churches by prayer (Romans 1:9; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 13:7; Ephesians 1:16; 3:14; Philemon 4; Colossians 1:3,9; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 3:10; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:3,11; 2:13 ).
	He supported Philemon persistently by prayer (Philemon 4 ).
	He supported beloved Timothy by prayer (2 Timothy 1:3 ).
	He supported the household of Onesiphorus by prayer (2 Timothy 1:16-18 ).
	He supported Israel's salvation by prayer (Romans 10:1 ).
	He supported involvement with all men by prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-3,8 ).
	He sought the support of others by prayer (Romans 15:30; Colossians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Philemon 22 ).

Philemon 3 "Grace to you, and peace, ..."

	Grace is the undeserved favour of God.
	Grace cannot be earned, it is God's gift in Jesus Christ through faith (Ephesians 2:8 ).
	Grace that is the gift of salvation and forgiveness, is inexhaustible. It is available to the whoever that believes on Christ (John 3:15 ).
	Grace also provides everything we need for daily life. We can come to the throne of grace in every time of need with absolute confidence (Hebrews 4:16 ).
	Grace can be had in abundance for every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8 ).

Peace is the state of spiritual well-being that flows from the reception of salvation that is of grace through faith:

	Jesus Christ becomes our peace (Ephesians 2:14 ).
	Peace was achieved for us on the cross (Isaiah 53:5; Colossians 1:20 ).
	Jesus enables us to have peace with God (Romans 5:1 ).
	Jesus established peace in the church (Ephesians 2:15 ).
	Jesus is able to direct us in the way of peace (Luke 1:79 ).
	The Lord will bless His people with peace (Psalm 29:11 ).

The source of peace is:

	The Father and the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:3; Philippians 4:7 ).
	The source of peace is in the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 4:3 ).

Because God's inexhaustible peace is available to us:

	We must live in peace (2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:13 ).
	We must pursue peace (Psalm 39:12; 2 Timothy 2:22 ).
	We must let the peace of God rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15 ).

In summary let us mark:

"there is no grace unless God bestows it, and there is no real peace unless it flows forth from God's reconciliation with sinful man". J.J. Muller - The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, and to Philemon (NICNT) Eerdmans 1955

By prayer we can tap into the inexhaustible supply of grace and peace.

Philemon 4 "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, "

	THANKSGIVING to God generates and inspires prayer (Philemon 4; Romans 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:4-5; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:3-4; Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:3 ).
	THANKSGIVING illuminates understanding of what God has done, and what He purposes to do (Romans 8:27-29 ).
	THANKSGIVING to God for spiritual growth and development gives the credit to God, where it rightly belongs (Philippians 1:6 ).
	THANKSGIVING increases expectation of great answers through co-operation with God's working.

Philippians 2:13 "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

The list of Paul's thanksgivings pointed to positive results:

---

Paul Is Thankful For What He Heard About Philemon

Philemon 5 "hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,"

Much of the knowledge Paul had was most likely through Epaphras (Colossians 1:7,8; 4:12 ).

"Love is first mentioned, as more noticed. But faith is the mother - grace, the womb wherein love and all the rest of that heavenly offspring are conceived". John Trapp - Commentary on the New Testament - Sovereign Grace Book Club 1958

Thanking God for Philemon's love towards all God's people. An evident practice of his faith, gave rise in Paul's heart, of fervent expectation that his prayer would be answered in Philemon's further demonstration of that love towards Onesimus (Philemon 9,16 ).

---

Paul Is Thankful For The Understanding That Sharing Of Faith Brings

By the actual sharing of your faith you develop greater understanding of all you have in Christ (Philemon 6 ). Sharing faith is more than speaking out the Word, it is making the faith known by practical deeds of service. This is God's intention for all believers to perform (Romans 12:2; Galatians 6:10 ). Sharing faith involves fleshing out every good thing we have in Christ - so that the life of the renewed inner man is manifested, and Christ glorified. God's wonderful grace that is worked in us is worked out, so that not only do we advance the kingdom of God among men by our witness, we are also enlightened in our understanding of,

Philemon 6 "... every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. "

Spiritual knowledge is enhanced by practical service, so Philemon would grasp deeper and clearer knowledge of the redemption, forgiveness, and love of Christ, in his reception of Onesimus as a brother.

---

Paul Is Thankful For The Great Joy And Encouragement The News Of Philemon's Love Brought

(Philemon 7 ) Even leaders like Paul need encouragement as Joshua did (Deuteronomy 1:38; 3:28 ). One of the sources of encouragement and joy for leaders is faith that is seen in action (Philemon 7; 2 John 4 ). The term "saints" in the Church, identifies believers as holy ones. They are set apart ones by God, and as the born-again ones they choose to live the set apart life. A mark of the true leader is that he has great joy in others being beneficiaries. He gets joy and encouragement by others receiving rather than himself. The saints can be refreshed by prayer for them and by the ministry of the Word. But the meaning here is providing for their needs in a practical love.

Galatians 6:10 "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

Paul had the proof that Philemon acted in real brotherly love, so in glad confidence he addresses him as "brother", expecting that true brotherhood would be shown to Onesimus. Paul arrived at his assessment of Philemon's dependability through spending time thanking God for him and praying for him. This should be a proven method of discernment and support of others, by all of us.

---

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. In which way can you best support others? (Philemon 3,4 ).
2. What inexhaustible supply can you draw upon? (Philemon 3 ). Are you able to relate examples?
3. Do you find your understanding of your faith grows through sharing your faith? (Philemon 6 ).
4. Do you get to know others in an intimate way by thanksgiving for them to God? (Philemon 4-7 ).