Philemon 1
Hebrews 1 declares that although God spoke in the past through many prophets, in these last days He has spoken through His Son. This Son points to Jesus Christ, and He is described as the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being (verses 1–3). Then, when Jesus Christ is compared to the angels, the text emphasizes that He is far superior and intrinsically different through quotations from various Old Testament Scriptures (verses 4–14). Overall, Chapter 1 strongly reveals the divinity of Jesus and proclaims that He is equal to God.
1versePaul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,
2verseto the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:
3verseGrace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4verseI thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
5versehearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
6versethat the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
7verseFor we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8verseTherefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,
9verseyet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10verseI appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,
11versewho once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
12verseI am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13versewhom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
14verseBut I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.
15verseFor perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while that you would have him forever,
16verseno longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17verseIf then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
18verseBut if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account.
19verseI, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).
20verseYes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.
21verseHaving confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
22verseAlso, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
23verseEpaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
24verseas do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25verseThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Key Message
The key message of Hebrews 1 is that God’s final and complete revelation has been given through Jesus Christ. Jesus is not merely a teacher or a prophet; He is the Sovereign over all, the One who is eternal. The author explains the greatness and eternity of Christ by quoting various Old Testament passages. He emphasizes that God completes His plan of salvation for humanity through Jesus.
Points to Reflect On
- Although God has spoken in different ways in every era, today He speaks to us above all through Jesus Christ. Let’s reflect on what this fact means to me.
- Consider how you are receiving the truth that Jesus is greater than the angels and is over all creation.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Let’s reflect on whether we are living with the Word spoken through God’s Son, Jesus, at the center of our lives.
- Trusting that Jesus is the only mediator and the Lord over all things, decide on practical steps for what mindset and attitude you should have each day in order to walk with Him.
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This is the last chapter of Philemon.