Philemon 1:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For him there is no higher praise than to be called a sufferer for Christ: "I," he says, "bear the marks of the Lord Jesus" (Gal 6:17).

"A prisoner of Jesus Christ," because he was bound for Him. Hearing of the chains of Christ, who would not be ashamed? Who would not bow down? Who would not give even his own soul, and not merely one slave?

"And Timothy our brother." He joins another to himself, so that Philemon, hearing the request from many, may more quickly be moved and show mercy.

"To Philemon, beloved and our fellow worker." If he is beloved, then hope in him is not boldness or recklessness, but a sign of great friendship.

If he is a fellow worker, then he not only ought to receive such requests, but also to give thanks for them, since through this he does good to himself, arranging the same work.

Thus, even without a request, the Apostle says, you have another motive to show mercy.

If he is useful for the Gospel, and you show zeal for the Gospel, then you need not wait for a request, but should ask for it yourself.

For you, he says, I am bound with chains. If I had chosen repose for myself, had not gone throughout the world, and had not offered the Gospel to all men, I would not have experienced this.

He praises Philemon by naming him a fellow worker. He also joins to him his wife as a sharer in the faith.

It is likely that, if she had not been mentioned, she would have opposed what was written in the epistle.

Archippus had been entrusted with teaching them. The Apostle wrote about him also to the Colossians: "Say to Archippus, 'Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it'" (Col 4:17).

He made him a participant in his request, and also the whole household, which he called a church because it was distinguished by piety.

Thus the servants too, having been counted worthy of apostolic honor, would become fellow workers in persuasion.

So blessed Paul called Philemon's wife "beloved," as one adorned with faith. Let no one be surprised, though today some are offended by this greeting.

By using the thing itself for evil, they have made even the name reproachful. But in ancient times this word was honorable and praiseworthy.

That means his family and household, and also all those Christians who had spiritual communion with this house through prayer and the other consolations of faith.

In these last words St. John Chrysostom sees a reference to slaves, and therefore says: "See how wisely Paul mentioned the slaves. He remembered them, and yet did not irritate him, Philemon. For calling the whole house a Church does not allow masters to be offended.

Indeed, the Church knows no distinction between master and slave. She distinguishes both by virtues and vices. Having reminded him of grace, the Apostle brings Philemon's sins to mind. Think, he says, how many sins the Lord has forgiven you.

Think how you were saved by grace, and imitate the Lord. Look also at Paul's humility. He joins Timothy to his request, and asks not only the husband, but also the wife, and probably another friend, Archippus from the clergy.

For a request made both by many and to many helps obtain its aim. And when one hears of the bonds of Christ, who would not give his very soul, and not merely one slave?"

"He speaks as if saying: for you I am bound with these chains. In the same way he says elsewhere, Eph 3:1, 'a prisoner for you Gentiles,' and 2 Tim 2:9, 'I suffer hardship even to chains for the Gospel.'

"For him there is no higher praise than to be called a sufferer for Christ: 'For I,' he said, 'bear the marks of the Lord Jesus on my body' (Gal 6:17).

"A prisoner of Jesus Christ," because he was bound for Him. Hearing of the chains of Christ, who would not be ashamed? Who would not bow down? Who would not give even his own soul, and not merely one slave?" (Saint Chrysostom).

"The Apostle called himself a prisoner, giving the greatest force to his request by his chains. For you, he says, I am bound with chains.

"If I had loved repose, had not gone throughout the world, and had not offered the Gospel to all men, I would not have experienced this" (Theodoret).

"By this he strongly inclines him toward the request, showing that it is right to gratify one held in chains for Christ" (Theophylact).

"And Timothy our brother." "The Apostle, as if considering himself insufficient for the entreaty, adds another as co-suppliant, so that Philemon, hearing the request from many, may more quickly be moved and show mercy" (Saint Chrysostom).

"To Philemon, beloved and our fellow worker." These words take Philemon straight by the heart and, even before the request is set forth, incline him toward it.

Love compels one to do what is pleasing to the beloved for the sake of fellowship. Cooperation compels one to do it for the sake of furthering the common work.

"If he is 'beloved,' then hope in him is not boldness or recklessness, but a sign of great friendship.

"If he is a 'fellow worker,' then he not only ought to receive such requests, but also to give thanks for them. Through this he also does good to himself, arranging one and the same work with others.

"Thus, even without a request, you have another motive, the Apostle says, to show mercy. If he is useful for the Gospel, and you show zeal for the Gospel, you need not wait for a request, but should ask for it yourself" (Saint Chrysostom).

Philemon was a fellow worker in the work of the Gospel, although it is not evident that he was adorned with any rank of priesthood.

"Although he did not belong to the clergy, yet because out of love for Christ he assisted the Church of believers in every way, the Apostle calls him a sharer in his labors.

"There are many such people who, though worthy, refuse the priesthood, considering themselves not strong enough to carry out this ministry as they should. For this very reason they appear all the more worthy of it" (Ambrosiaster).