Philemon 1:1–7 “Faith, Love, and Fellowship”

Philemon 1: 1-7 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• The Servant Song
• By Our Love – for King & Country
• Lauren Daigle ~ Love Like This

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• God’s People: Philemon – Lesson for Kids
• RISE AND SHINE | Kids Songs | Praise and Worship – Song for Kids
• L-O-V-E | Kids Worship Music | Compass Bible Church – Song for Kids
• Love One Another by Orange Kids Music – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The book of Philemon, consisting of only one chapter, is one of the letters the Apostle Paul wrote while in prison. He introduces himself as “a prisoner of Christ Jesus” (v.1), which reveals that he is suffering and sacrificing for the sake of Christ. He also mentions Timothy, calling him “our brother”, to let the recipients know that Timothy is with him. When Paul identifies the senders of his letters, he often includes the names of those who were close to him and also familiar to the recipients.

Paul addresses the letter to three individuals. First is Philemon, whom Paul calls “our dear friend and co-worker.” Philemon’s name appears first because he was likely a leader in the church. Second is Apphia, whom Paul refers to as “our sister” (v.2). This suggests that she was probably Philemon’s wife. Third is Archippus, described as “our fellow soldier.” Some assume Archippus was Philemon’s son, but that is unlikely.

In Colossians 4:17, Paul writes, “Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’” The “ministry received in the Lord” refers to a specific task Paul entrusted to Archippus. If we understand Archippus as the true recipient of the letter to Philemon, the passage becomes clearer. While Paul addressed the letter to Philemon, its intended recipient was likely Archippus. This would mean that Onesimus’s master was Archippus, not Philemon.

Paul’s greeting in verse 3 follows his usual pattern: “Grace to you and peace.” Grace was a common Greek-Roman greeting, while peace (shalom) was Jewish. By combining them and adding “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” Paul created a distinctly Christian greeting, expressing divine blessing and unity in Christ.

Before entering the main message of his letters, Paul typically begins with thanksgiving and prayer. The phrase “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers” (v.4) refers to Archippus. Paul continually remembers him in prayer and gives thanks for his “faith in the Lord Jesus and love for all the saints” (v.5).

The phrase “the fellowship of your faith” (v.6) means “the fellowship that results from your faith.” The word fellowship translates the Greek koinonia, which goes beyond surface-level interaction—it refers to deep participation in one another’s lives, sharing joys and sorrows together. Through this kind of fellowship, believers come to recognize every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ and thereby grow more like Him. Paul prays that such deep and active faith would continue in Archippus’s life.

Finally, Paul encourages Archippus by affirming that he has already brought “great joy and encouragement” (v.7) through his loving service to the saints.

Meditation:

The Apostle Paul prayed specifically for his coworkers and fellow believers. His letters show that clearly—some people filled his prayers with gratitude, while others brought him concern. For any believer, it is deeply important to be a source of joy rather than grief to those who pray for us.

Archippus brought Paul joy for two reasons: his faith in the Lord Jesus (v.5) and his love for all the saints. Faith is invisible, but it proves itself through love. If faith is truly alive, it naturally leads to love for brothers and sisters in Christ. Without concrete acts of love, as James wrote, such faith is dead.

Paul calls this the “fellowship of faith” (v.6). The Greek word koinonia does not mean casual interaction—it refers to deep, life-sharing fellowship among those bound together as one community in Christ. True faith recognizes the needs of others and willingly shares time, resources, and compassion to meet those needs. That is what Paul means by “every good thing that is in us.” When believers are united in such genuine fellowship, our joy becomes complete.

Prayer:

Lord, grant us true faith. Let our faith be expressed through love for our neighbors. May our love not be empty words but be shown through concrete actions. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Faith is invisible, but it becomes real when we show love to others through our actions.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Who are some people in your life that show you love like Jesus does?
  • What is one small way you can show love to your friends or family this week?
  • Why do you think helping or sharing with others can make you (and Jesus) happy?
    
• Youth
  • Paul said real faith shows through love—what are some quiet or behind-the-scenes ways you can show love to others?
  • Think of a time when someone’s care or prayer made you feel valued. How did that affect your faith?
  • “Koinonia” means deep fellowship—what helps you feel truly connected to others in your church or small group?