Paul's Letter to Brother Philemon Volume 9

Paul Concludes his Letter and Bids Farewell to Philemon Part 2

Philemon 1:21-25 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version

The Apostle Paul knew that this was a delicate situation and that this was not something that Brother Philemon or any other man would do without concern or care for what he has suffered from Onesimus' dirty deed against him, only the faithless, fake, and false so called christian would do that, for he is not desiring to please Jesus Christ but instead his own belly, therefore, loss for him is not really loss because he will recover more for himself from his own acts of robbing and stealing just as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church @ Rome with these words, "And I exhort you, brothers, to watch those making divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For they who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18) (MKJV), but Paul knows Philemon and knows that despite being hurt by what was done to him he will receive Onesimus back with full forgiveness and pardon as these words from Paul declare, "Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say." (Philemon 1:21) (KJV).

The Apostle Paul was not only confident in Philemon pardoning Onesimus thievery, but he expected Philemon to release Onesimus from his slavery and set him free making him a free man just as Philemon himself. Here is what Robertson's Word Pictures had to say of this verse, "That can only mean that Paul 'knows' that Philemon will set Onesimus free. He prefers that it come as Philemon's idea and wish rather than as a command from Paul. Paul has been criticized for not denouncing slavery in plain terms. But, when one considers the actual conditions in the Roman empire, he is a wise man who can suggest a better plan than the one pursued here for the ultimate overthrow of slavery." Paul was the ultimate optimist and being true to that part of himself writes these final words of instruction to Brother Philemon before he bids him farewell, "But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you." (Philemon 1:22) (KJV). The Apostle Paul expected our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to liberate him, that is, free him from his present Roman captivity, then he would be able to visit Brother Philemon and see with his own eyes that all he had believed about him and what he would do concerning Onesimus (the runaway slave) would be reality.

Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of this verse, "Not that the Apostle expected or desired any grand apartment to be fitted up for him; a room with such furniture as the Shunamite provided for the man of God was sufficient for him, and what he would have been entirely contented with; but his view in this was, to let Philemon know that he hoped to be released from his bonds, and that he might expect to see him; and this he hinted to him, in order to stir him up to receive his servant sooner, and the more readily; who otherwise might have been indifferent to it, and negligent of it, thinking he should never see the Apostle's face any more. For I trust, that through your prayers I shall be given you; to minister in the Gospel again among them: the Apostle was a man of prayer himself, and he had a very great regard to the prayers of others, and often desired an interest in them; that he might perform his ministerial work as it should be; that he might have success in it; and that he might be delivered from the unbelieving Jews, and from wicked and unreasonable men; and he had some secret hope and trust in his own mind, that through the prayers of the saints he should be delivered from his bonds, and go up and down preaching the Gospel as heretofore." Finally, Paul sends Philemon greetings from those Brothers 'in Christ' who were also in captivity with him, "There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers." (Philemon 1:23-24) (KJV). Paul ends the letter as he had began it by calling on our Lord Jesus Christ to bestow his grace upon Brother Philemon, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." (Philemon 1:25) (KJV).

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…