FINAL GREETINGS AND BENEDICTION (PHM 1: 23-25)

FINAL GREETINGS AND BENEDICTION (PHM 1: 23-25):

Paul considers his letter to Philemon and his associates, whom Epaphras, his fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets. Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, his co-laborers, greet them too. Epaphras is one of the members of the church of Colossians who was faithful in the ministry along with Paul and reported about the love of the people (Col 1:7, 8). Epaphras, being one of the Colossians and a slave of Christ, always struggled in prayer on their behalf, so that they may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God (Col 4:12). Mark could be most probably John Mark, who was the cousin of Barnabas, and Aristarchus could be one of the fellow prisoners with Christ (Col 4: 10). Demas was also one of the associates of Paul (Col 4:14), but he deserted Paul since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica (2 Tim 4:10). Luke could be the physician who was the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of Apostles (2 Tim 4:11). Those four of them were ministering along with Paul and must have been connected with Philemon and the church that meets in his house.

Paul then completes his letter with the final benediction that may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with their spirit. It is one of the usual ways that the apostle Paul concludes his epistles with the final benediction. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is very much sufficient to be delivered from all the sins and guilt, in life on the face of the earth, and Paul wishes that it shall be with the spirit of Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection

1.     What is mentioned about Epaphras?

2.     Who is Epaphras?

3.     Who is Mark?

4.     Who is Aristarchus?

5.     Who is Demas?

6.     Who is Luke?

7.     What is mentioned about Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke?

8.     What is the final benediction of Paul?

9.     How shall we connect different people for their mutual welfare? 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT ONESIMUS AS A SERVANT (PHM 1: 11-14)

RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT ONESIMUS AS A SERVANT (PHM 1: 11-14): Paul conveys to Philemon that formerly, Onesimus was useless to him, but then he is indeed useful to him and Philemon. And Paul conveys that he is sending him back to Philemon, sending his very heart. Onesimus, being one of the slave servants of Philemon, seems not to be sincere, faithful, and responsible because of his selfish desires and interests. Philemon would have surely been upset about Onesimus and his works. But after his association with Paul and after he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, his attitude and his works became better, and he became beneficial to Paul because he had experienced. Paul hopes that Onesimus has also become beneficial to Philemon, and he sends him back to Philemon with a burdened heart. As it was the custom that the slaves needed to be subjected to their masters till their period of serving was over or till the master set them free, Paul wanted to send Onesimus back to Philemon...
Read more

PRAYERS AND APPRECIATION (PHM 1: 4-7)

PRAYERS AND APPRECIATION (PHM 1: 4-7): Paul writes that he thanks his God always when he remembers Philemon and those who are with them in his prayers because he hears of their love and of the faith that they have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. He prays that the sharing of their faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in them for the sake of Christ. The fellowship in Philemon’s house was good with the genuine love towards the Lord Jesus as well as with one another, and it was also trustworthy towards one another because of the faith in the Lord Jesus. Paul praises God continuously for them whenever he remembers them, because of their genuineness and kindness, as well as their faith in Christ. Paul also prays for them that when they acknowledge and proclaim the gospel of Christ and their testimony of faith, it shall be productive, bearing fruit, for they have the required complete knowledge for everyone to know and follow what is go...
Read more

REQUEST FOR ACCEPTING ONESIMUS AS A BROTHER (PHM 1: 15-18)

REQUEST FOR ACCEPTING ONESIMUS AS A BROTHER (PHM 1: 15-18): Paul then confirms to Philemon that perhaps Onesimus was parted from him for a while, that he might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother, especially to himself, but how much more to him, both in the flesh and in the Lord. Paul looks at the positive side of the separation of Philemon and Onesimus and conveys that a short-term separation had paved the way to meet him and know the Lord, thereby being useful forever after his return. Before Onesimus was a slave who was bonded to the master as per their regulations without any independence. Paul suggests Philemon look at him no longer as a bondservant but as a beloved brother, being the children of God together. Paul had already acknowledged Onesimus to be his child by his closeness and now as his brother in Christ by his faith, and persuades Philemon to consider him as brother also, as he had been associated for a lo...
Read more