Philemon 1
PNTPhilemon 1:1
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. It was man who was first created, but woman who first led into the transgression. For these reasons a burden was laid on women which is spoken of in 1 Timothy 2:15.
Philemon 1:2
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing. Rather, “through childbearing” (Revised Version). Work was laid upon the fallen man; the pains of childbearing on the fallen woman. The apostle means here that women will be saved in the line of their duties, and that those duties are domestic rather than public. There surely is no recommendation of the celibacy of monasticism. Possibly, too, another thought still may be alluded to. The first woman was assured that her seed should bruise the serpent’s head. It was woman’s glory that one of her sex was chosen to be the mother of our Lord. Thus through childbearing the Savior of all men comes into the world. If they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. Domestic duties will not save unless to these are added the graces of a holy life.
Philemon 1:4
Bishops and Deacons SUMMARY OF I TIMOTHY 3: The Qualifications of Bishops. Of Deacons. Their Wives. The Reason for Writing to Timothy of These Matters. They Mystery of Godliness. If a man desireth the office of a bishop. Here, for the first time in the New Testament, is there a delineation of the qualifications and duties of bishops and deacons. Both offices have been alluded to in Acts (elders, Acts 11:30 14:23 15:2 16:4 20:17; deacons, Acts 6:1-6), and both are named in Philippians 1:1. To form a correct idea of the New Testament bishop we must get away from modern episcopacy. The New Testament bishop was not diocesan, but in charge of a single church. Each church had a plurality.
Elders or presbyters, and bishops were only different designations for the same office. This arrangement was not changed until after the close of the first century and the death of the last of the apostles. Of these statements, admitted by the candid learned even of episcopal bodies, the following proofs may be submitted: (1) Paul summons the “elders” of the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:17), and calls them “bishops” (“overseers”) in Acts 20:28. (2) In the church of Philippi the “bishops and deacons” are named as the officers (Philippians 1:1). (3) Paul in this Epistle names bishops and deacons as the officers (1 Timothy 3:1,12), but names “elders” as officers entrusted with the same duties already named as those of the bishops in 1 Timothy 5:17-22. (4) In the Epistle to Titus, Paul commands to “ordain elders in every city” (Titus 1:5), but in turn describing the qualifications of an elder he calls him a bishop (Titus 1:7). (5) Peter addresses “elders” and commands them to exercise the office of “bishops” over the flock (1 Peter 5:1,2). The Greek word “episkope”, as well as the word “bishop”, etymologically means to act as an overseer, or to take the oversight. (6) I might add that Clement of Rome, who wrote to Corinthians about the beginning of the second century, uses the terms interchangeably. Desireth a good work. A very important duty.
Philemon 1:5
A bishop then must be . . . . None must be appointed because they desire the place. None are eligible unless they fill the following qualifications. Blameless. Not under charges; of good repute. The husband of one wife. A married man, and having only one wife. In those loose times of divorce, men might be converted who had successively several wives. Divorce for unscriptural reasons would not free a man from his first, lawful wife. Hence the limitation to those who had only one living wife. I do not think there is any reference to re-marriage after the death of a wife. Sober minded. Sedate. Given to hospitality. Often saints by persecution were made homeless. The bishops must set the example of receiving such. Apt to teach. Men who have the knowledge and discretion which fit them to teach the flock.
Philemon 1:6
Not given to wine. Not a drunken brawler is the idea of the Greek. We must always bear in mind that the church had been formed of Gentiles whose morals had been at a very low standard.
Philemon 1:7
One that ruleth well his own house. This implies that he must be a man of family. Having his children in subjection. He must be a father with obedient children.
Philemon 1:8
For if a man know not how to rule his own house. The order of his own house will show whether he is fit to have a charge in the house of God. The sins of Eli’s sons showed that Eli, though a good man, was unfitted to rule (1 Samuel 2:22-25).
Philemon 1:9
Not a novice. One recently converted. Those chosen for bishops must be old and tired. Paul and Barnabas did not ordain elders until their second visit to the churches (Acts 14:23). Lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. A novice, suddenly exalted, was in danger of undue elation.
Philemon 1:10
He must have a good report of them which are without. Have an established character which speaks well for the church among the unconverted. Lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Into some snare of the devil, some improper conduct, which will bring reproach on the church.
Philemon 1:11
Likewise [must] the deacons. The ancient church understood that the seven appointed in Acts were the first deacons (Acts 6:5). They were not called deacons, but filled a diaconate. In Philippians 1:1 we find deacons existing. Their office seemed to have been to look after the temporal matters of the church, and especially to care for the poor and the widows (Acts 6:1,2). Not doubletongued. Not saying one thing to one man, and another thing to others. Not greedy of filthy lucre. Men who are covetous and unscrupulous as to modes of getting money are not to be chosen.
Philemon 1:12
Holding the mystery of the faith. The gospel, God’s revealed mystery to all believers.
Philemon 1:13
Let these also first be proved. Not novices, but men fully tested. Before they use the office of a deacon, their character must be thoroughly examined, and they must be found blameless.
Philemon 1:14
Even so [must their] wives [be] grave. The word in the Greek word “gune” may mean “women” or “wives”. It is rendered “wife” in 1 Timothy 3:12. The Revised Version says, “Women in like manner [must be] grave”. I believe that the Common Version is nearer right. The duties of women generally are not spoken of in the midst of a discussion of elders and deacons. Either deaconesses are meant, or the wives of bishops and deacons; more likely the latter. We know that an injudicious wife may mar the work of a church officer. Not slanderers. Not given to tattling.
Philemon 1:15
The husbands of one wife. The same Greek word, “gune”, is used in the Greek here for “wife” that is used in 1 Timothy 3:11. On “one wife”, see PNT 1 Timothy 3:2. Ruling their children and their own houses. See notes on 1 Timothy 3:4,5.
Philemon 1:16
For they that have used the office of a deacon well. These demands for the office are high, for those who exercise it well purchase themselves a good degree. Secure a high position in the church and in God’s favor. And great boldness in the faith. To fill these duties well gives strength, and often fits for higher duties. Stephen (Acts 6:5,8-10) and Philip (Acts 6:5 8:5,35,40 21:8) became evangelists.
Philemon 1:17
Hoping to come unto thee shortly. It is not certain that he was ever able to visit Ephesus again, though it is thought that he did on his way to Crete.
Philemon 1:18
But if I tarry. In that case he wrote that Timothy might understand how to act. How thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God. Conduct thyself in the management of the church. Which is the church of the living God. The house of God is not the temple of Diana, which stood there at Ephesus. The pillar and ground of the truth. The church is the pillar and support of the truth because it preaches it to the world, preserves it, and transmits it from generation to generation.
Philemon 1:19
Without controversy. Undoubtedly. Great is the mystery of godliness. The mystery that God has revealed to us in the gospel in order to make men godly. The great things revealed in this mystery are next named, certainly wonderful things, well called “great”. Six elements enter into this mystery of godliness, elements all of which were fully revealed in the gospel. The mystery is not something incomprehensible, but the hidden wisdom of God revealed in the gospel; a sense similar to that in which mystery is always used in the Scriptures. Compare Matthew 13:11 Revelation 1:20 17:5,7. God was manifest in the flesh. Was manifested in Jesus Christ. Justified in the Spirit. When, after his condemnation to death, the power of God raised him from the dead. Seen of angels. The angels were at the open tomb and told the women of his resurrection. Preached unto the Gentiles. A wonderful fact in the mind of a Jew like Paul, who had been trained to believe that the Gentiles were accursed. Received up into glory. At the Ascension.
Philemon 1:21
A Falling Away Predicted SUMMARY OF I TIMOTHY 4: An Apostasy in Latter Times. Some of the Marks of That Apostasy. Directions to Timothy in View of This. The Preacher to Be an Example. To Take Heed to Himself. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly. In revelations made to Paul and other inspired men. See 2 Thessalonians 2:3. In the latter times. In future times. How far away is not indicated. Some shall depart from the faith. There shall be an apostasy. Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Some of the marks of this apostasy are now given. Giving heed to seducing spirits. The apostle seems to recognize a preternatural element which speaks by false prophets, in false utterances which claims to be from God. These seducing spirits might work through hierarchs, who claimed to speak for God, or through councils which claimed to make infallible utterances. Doctrines of demons. Doctrines suggested by demons. The Greek “daimonion”, “demon”, not “devil”, always refers in the New Testament to an evil spirit.
Philemon 1:22
Speaking lies in hypocrisy. Rather, “Through the hypocrisy of men, speaking lies” (Revised Version). Having their conscience seared. The liars just mentioned. The sensitiveness of their consciences is destroyed by the brand of the devil.
Philemon 1:23
Forbidding to marry. Not long after Paul’s time the superior holiness of the unmarried life began to be preached in the church, and this resulted at last in monasticism and a celibate clergy. [Commanding] to abstain from meats. The ascetic practices which began to grow up in the church a little later extended to foods. To eat the least palatable food which would sustain life was counted a virtue. These ascetics generally forbade animal food, and some lived only on bread and water. These practices are still found among certain orders of the Latin and Eastern churches. Which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving. The foods which God hath created are for use, to be eaten thankfully by those who believe and know the truth, instead of having their minds darkened by delusions.
Philemon 1:24
For every creature of God [is] good. Everything God had created is good and has its proper use. And nothing to be refused. Hence, it is not to be refused as sinful. This applies to what God has created. He did not create one drop of alcohol.
Philemon 1:25
For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. The food we eat is made holy when we offer thanks to God for it and pray his blessing upon it. This passage shows that the early saints were always wont to offer thanks before eating.