Verse 1. "Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”
Here the master is exhorted to do justice to his slave, for he also has a master to whom he will need to give account. The, slave may be sadly tried in serving an ungodly master, especially if asked to do things against his conscience or against Christ Himself, but he is to prove himself a faithful servant for his master's interests (1 Tim. 6:1, 21Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. (1 Timothy 6:1‑2)).
Philemon is the story of Onesimus whom grace set free. Philemon was the godly master who set him free to serve the Lord in the gospel with Paul who was the means of his conversion.
Verse 2. The apostle desires the saints to continue in prayer, in communion with God, and with thanksgiving; watching that the reality of dependence on God, and consciousness of His nearness be observed. The soul must know and enjoy its own communion with God while praying for Christ's interests in others, and in those who are specially His servants. There is conflict with evil as we go on our way. We must therefore watch in prayer, not merely occasionally, or as a cry of need, but maintaining our dependence on Him continually. Paul desired prayer for Himself, and that he might be able to make the truth manifest to souls.
Verse 5. "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time," that is: buying up opportunities to serve the Lord.
Verse 6. "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how to answer every man." Notice, in these verses that we are to think of those without, and to use our opportunities to gain them. The speech might be gracious or amiable enough, but it is grace, the grace of God that brings in something of the fear of God.
He can use us as His voice when we are walking with Him. Our speech ought always to be the expression of separation from evil,-this is the salt; it brings in the thought of God into the soul.
Verses 7-9. Tychicus was to tell them all about the apostle's state as a prisoner. He was a faithful minister, and fellow servant, and Paul sent him to know how they were, and to comfort their hearts, with Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother. They together could tell them all they wanted to know about him in Rome.
Verses 10-16. Aristarchus, another prisoner of the Lord, sent his love to them, and Marcus, Barnabas' nephew, is seen here as one of the Lord's servants now restored to Paul's company (see also 2 Tim. 4:1111Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11)). Jesus called Justus another of the circumcision. It seems that not many of the circumcision labored with Paul, for he says, "These only are my fellow-workers unto the Kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me." The others would be of the Gentiles. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. He is called a fellow laborer (Philem. 1:2424Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlaborers. (Philemon 24)). His story is told in 2 Tim. 4:1010For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10). It is a sad one, he forsook Paul having loved the world.
Epaphras, a faithful servant of Christ, sent his love "always laboring fervently for them in his prayers, that they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." This service was used of God to give us this Epistle, and he might be used for other places too. Nymphas seems to have the assembly in his house in Laodicea. Other letters might have been written, but not needed to fill up the inspired Word of God, and therefore did not need to be preserved so those that were inspired could be copied and circulated.
Verses 17, 18, have a word for us, and many brethren may profit by it, "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." Remember Paul's bonds. Christ is glorified, but is still rejected on earth. Let us take our share (2 Tim. 1:8, 2:1, 3) in suffering with Him.