We are often content in our personal relationship with the Lord, and it is good for us to experience his presence with us and in our lives. Paul, though is praying for Philemon, in Philemon 6 “I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ”. It is one thing to have a revelation of God’s word, and another thing entirely to experience “the fellowship of your faith” with others. Paul is encouraging Philemon to lay aside the offenses against him and to go forward together with those who have now also accepted Christ. It says it this way in James 1:12 “Blessed is the person who endures testing” and our natural desire to defend ourselves and get back what we deserve can certainly test us. Instead, though, can we walk in love and forgive, just as we ourselves have been forgiven?
To the Church in Your House
That the Fellowship of Your Faith May Become Effective
Philemon 4–7
Paul prays for those that have been converted and are active in the work of the Lord. And, here, tells Philemon that he is praying for him in
Philemon 5 because I hear about your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints.
Paul prayed also for others, but Philemon’s active love toward the Lord and the saints is what has prompted Paul’s prayer. It is good for us also to notice those that are active in showing their love for the Lord and the saints. You will see them if you look, but they are not often those in the forefront.
Paul has used almost exactly the same introduction (compare Ephesians 1:15-16 with Philemon 4-5) but has a very different prayer for wisdom and revelation in
Ephesians 1:17–18 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him 18 (the eyes of your hearts having been enlightened), so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance among the saints,
but here, Paul prays in
Philemon 6 I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ.
It is not that Philemon needs more wisdom or revelation, it seems he has that already. What Paul is praying is “that the fellowship of your faith may become effective”. In our culture of independent personal drive, we often focus on only the very first step of becoming a Christian, accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord, our savior. Paul is encouraging Philemon in the fellowship of his faith. How much more might we do for God’s kingdom if we were able to work together with one purpose as in
Acts 2:46 And every day, devoting themselves to meeting with one purpose in the temple courts and breaking bread from house to house, they were eating their food with joy and simplicity of heart,
But Now He Is Useful To You
I Know That You Will Do Even Beyond
Philemon 17–22
Slavery was a part of the culture in Paul’s day and the former slave of Philemon, I might better say, the escaped slave of Philemon, had been converted and was working with Paul for the Lord. As Paul comes to understand the history, he sends Onesimus back to Philemon to make amends. Philemon has every right to prosecute Onesimus, yet Paul asks Philemon to not to exact what is due from Onesimus, instead, Paul asks in
Philemon 18 But if in anything he has caused you loss or owes you anything, charge this to my account.
but Paul also reminds Philemon that his own salvation came as a gift from God at the hands of Paul in
Philemon 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will pay it back, lest I mention to you that you owe me even your very self besides.
But Paul is not saying these things to extort more than what Philemon is willing to give, in fact, Paul knows Philemon is a willing servant of the Lord he is in
Philemon 21 Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you because I know that you will do even beyond what I say.
My Fellow Workers
Philemon 23–25
Consider It All Joy
Blessed is the Person Who Endures Testing
James 1:10–18
There are natural laws that govern in the world, and there are spiritual laws that govern in God’s eternal kingdom. People work their lives away for things that “will wither away” in
James 1:11 For the sun rises with its burning heat and dries up the grass, and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is lost. So also the rich person in his pursuits will wither away.
But there is another kind of action we can take that results in “the crown of life” in
James 1:12 Blessed is the person who endures testing, because when he is approved he will receive the crown of life that he has promised to those who love him.
But what is this “endures testing”, it is resisting the temptation that comes to all. It is not temptation that comes from God, it is the temptation that comes from our fleshly desires in
James 1:14–15 But each one is tempted when he is dragged away and enticed by his own desires. 15 Then desire, after it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is brought to completion, gives birth to death.
It is for us to follow after the spirit of God and resist the temptation, the sin that is in the world.
Study Verses
- Philemon 4–7 That the Fellowship of Your Faith May Become Effective
- Philemon 17–22 I Know That You Will Do Even Beyond
- James 1:10–18 Blessed is the Person Who Endures Testing
Today’s Reading
- Philemon 1-25
- James 1:1-18