My Big Mouth: The Spirit of Encouragement
Thom Redmond
Book of Philemon
This book contains nine different forms of encouragement, all of which apply to the church.
Encouragement One: Verses 1-2
1 This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, 2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.
Encouragement Two: Verse 3
3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul is praying for both the church and a dear friend. The prayer is quite specific.
Encouragement Three: Verse 4
4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,
Why is this statement critical?
I Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Encouragement Four: Verses 5-6
5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. 6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
Paul prays and worships. And his expressions are love for others.
Encouragement Five: Verse 7
7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
- A steady supply of
Verses 8-9 is a back story, specifically around the person named “Onesimus.”
8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. 9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.
- Here, we witness a threefold process:
Encouragement Six: Verses 10-14
10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. 11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. 12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. 13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. 14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.
Paul shows profound respect for Philemon by asking rather than telling Philemon what to do.
Encouragement Seven: Verses 15-16
15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. 16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
I am sending someone back to you better than when he left. He was a slave; now, he is a brother.
Encouragement Eight: Verses 17-19
17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.19 I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!
Paul does something Christlike here
I Peter 3:18 18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
Encouragement Nine: Verses 20-22
20 Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ. 21I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! 22 One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.
Paul trusts that God will answer the prayers of Philemon, which would free him.
Verses 23-25 remind us that we are battling to win the lost, regardless of location or condition.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. 24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. 25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.