1Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, 3praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, 4that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”), 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house. 16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Paul opens with warmth and prayer. Even while under arrest in Rome, he takes time to thank God for Philemon every time he prays. That kind of intercession reveals Paul’s deep love and personal connection—not just with churches, but with individuals.
Paul speaks of Philemon’s faith in Jesus and love for other believers—qualities he likely knew firsthand. Paul may have led Philemon to Christ during his extended ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19), which was only about 100 miles from Colossae. It's quite possible that during this fruitful time, Paul helped establish the churches in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (cf. Colossians 4:13), making him deeply familiar with Philemon’s spiritual journey and Christian character.
Rather than launching into his request, Paul builds a bridge: “Your character speaks for itself.” It’s a wise and gracious setup, inviting Philemon to live up to the best of what Paul sees in him.
In verse 6, Paul prays that Philemon’s faith would keep bearing visible fruit—that others would recognize the good things God is doing in him and through him. Some see this as referring to his generous actions, others to his efforts to spread the gospel. Either way, Paul is saying: “May your faith be contagious, evident, and active.”
Faith isn’t just about belief; it’s about what flows out of us into the lives of others. Paul is nudging Philemon toward a Christlike response to Onesimus—not out of obligation, but as a living example of the gospel at work.