Vers.23--25.-Salutationsandprayer. I. SALUTATIONS. These are the expressio11, of Christian ijympathy and kindness. 1. 1'hey are the sulutations of the apostle'1fellow- 7,risoner. .. There 1:11lute thee Epaphras my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus." (1) Epaphraa was o. Colossian evangelist (Col. i. 7; iv. 12). (2) Be was imprisoned at Rome in the immediate society of the apostle. (a) This was an alleviation to both prisoners, on account of their common fai1h, their common hopes, and their common intereRts. Epaphras, as probably the youngrr man, would be very helpful tu the apostle. (b) The cause or the imprisonment in both cases was .. in Christ Jesus." They suffered for the preaching or his gospel. 2. They are tM salutations of the a7,08tle's fellow-labourers. "Marcus" (Acts xii. 12), once temporarily cstra.ngsd from • THE EPISTLE TO PHILEM:ON. [1-2b.
the apoRt.le, but now at his eide; "Arist&rchus" (Acts xix. 29, 30; Col. iv. 10). '' DemRM," whose Rpostasy W&S yet futnre (2 Tim. iv. 10); "Luke," the belove,i physiciRn and ev&ngelist (Col. iv. 14). The apostle w&s happily circumstanced, even as R prisoner, through the constant or occasional society of the8e men. II. PRAYER. "The gl'ROO of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." It is curious to find no allusion to God the Father in this prayer. If Christ is not God how can we account for IJUCh a prayer? It is a simple but beautiful prayer addresse!!' to the whole Philemon household.-T. C. HOMILETICAL INDEX TO
THE EPISTLE OF
PAUL TO PHILEMON. l'1IUl1I P.&.O• THm •.a.•• The Hallowing or the Ordinary Inter- Love's Outcome in Pre.yer ... 11 course of Life ... 5 Lova's Motive-Power 12 The Christian Family 6 Personal Obligation 12 The Constituent Parts of Acoepte.ble Needful Prepe.re.tion 12 Prayer: Thanksgiving, Intercession, The Addrees e.nd Se.lute.tion 12 Personal Petitions 6 • Recognition of the Christian Che.meter Man glorifying God 7 and Services of Philemon 13 The Religion of Christ a Defence of Appeal by Entreaty rather than Com- Booie.l Order, not a Disturbing Force 7 me.nd ••• H Ungodly Men a.re Unprofitable to The Motives that prompted the Apostle themselves e.nd to otheni 8 to send be.ck Onesimus to his Me.ster 15 Treasures in Hee.ven 8 The Plea of Christian Fellow•hip .•. 16 Christianity not permanently Com- The Apostle's Frank Acceptance of patible with Sle.very ae an Institu- Pecuniary Responsibility for tion 9 Onesi_mus 16 The Brotherhood of all Ohristie.ns ... 10 A Plea for Personal Consideration 17 Spiritue.l Benefits the most Valuable The Apostle's Concluding Appeal 17 of e.11 ... 10 Salutations and Prayer 17 The Sceptre of Love 11