Philemon | 1 Timothy 1-3

The small book of Philemon was written by Paul from prison, and it was addressed to one of his friends who lived in the city of Colossae, who was also a convert to Christ because of Paul.  Philemon was apparently well to do, and Paul had run into a man named Onesimus in Rome, who was a run-away slave of Philemon’s.  Onesimus became a Christian and helper to Paul, however when Paul found out his whole story, he decided to send him back to Philemon with this letter.  Paul asks Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a Christian brother, and to charge whatever might be owed him to Paul’s account, even though he could have legally put Onesimus to death for running away.  This is a beautiful short letter, where Paul encourages Philemon to do the right thing.

In addition to Paul’s letter to Philemon, he also wrote personal letters to Timothy and Titus, who had been sent out by Paul to minister in cities where he had previously founded new churches.  These letters are referred to as the pastoral epistles, as Paul is providing these two men with spiritual advice for leading the churches he had sent them to.  Timothy was acting as the pastor in the Ephesus.

Timothy is charged with the responsibility for the Ephesian church, and Paul warns him to be on the constant lookout for divisive people who would try to bring all kinds of false beliefs into the church.  The opposition in Ephesus was strong, as it was a center of pagan worship, which had destroyed many, and Paul warned Timothy to be on guard against such who would try to come in and destroy the church.  Paul also gives Timothy various instructions regarding proper administration of the church, and maintaining godly behavior of the people.  He also gives Timothy a set of guidelines for choosing elders and deacons within the church.  Paul reminds Timothy that the Word of God is all written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as if God were pushing the pens of the men who wrote.