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This is a letter from Paul and his friend Timothy.
Paul is in prison for being a follower of Jesus, God’s Chosen.
The letter is for Phil, our dear friend and colleague, Ava, his sister,
Captain Rider, and all the Christians who meet in your home.
May you share in the goodness and peace, which come from the Loving God and
from Jesus the Leader, God’s Chosen.
Whenever I talk with God about you, I always express my gratitude. I’ve been
told about the love you show one another as Christians, and the trust you
have in Jesus, The Leader. I ask God to help you realise that this
experience is meant to give rise to good projects, to further the cause of
God’s Chosen. Already, one result of your love can be seen, in the happiness
and encouragement it’s given me. Phil, my dear friend, you’ve been a tonic
to other members of the Christian community.
I dare to give orders on behalf of Jesus, as you know. [see footnote] But what I’m
going to ask of you is a special favour, in line with our loving
relationship. I’m an old man now, and in prison for Jesus. I want to put in
a good word for Handy. He and I have been like father and son during my
imprisonment. I know you found him useless, but with me Handy’s been living
up to his name. You’ll be surprised at the change in him. I’m sending him
home to you, and in doing this, I’m sending a part of myself. I’ve been
tempted to keep him while I serve my time in prison for the Good News, to
give me the care you would to give me, if you were here. But that would be
taking advantage. I’d sooner ask you first. Perhaps everything is working
out for the best. You lost him for a while, but now you’ll have him for
keeps.
There should be a new relationship between you. He’s no longer just the
handyman, but your Christian friend. He’s shown his love to me, and now he’s
ready to show it to you, both as a human being, and as a Christian.
I know, Phil, you think of me as a colleague, so I ask you to give Handy the
same welcome you would give me. If he’s wronged you in any way, or owes you
money, put it on my account. As you can see, it’s me, PAUL, writing this
letter myself. I’ll see you right with regard to Handy. Of course, I could
argue that you owe everything to me! But I won’t! Please, friend, do this
one thing for me, for the sake of the loyalty we both share to the Leader.
Cheer me up by being like Jesus! I’m sure you’ll do what I’m asking of you.
Knowing you as I do, you’ll go over the top!
One more little favour. Get the guest room ready for me. With you and God on
my side, I’m sure we’ll get the chance to enjoy one another’s company again.
Charming is serving a prison sentence for Jesus, like me. He sends his best
wishes. Greetings also from the rest of the team, - Mark, Harry, Demas and
Luke.
May you have the goodness and love of Jesus, The Leader, God’s Chosen.
Footnote Phil, Ava & Captain Rider. V.8
Paul’s use of military language here seems to suggest that Archippus had
been a member of the armed forces. Traditional translations have Paul
describing himself and Archippus as ‘soldiers of Christ’. Archippus = Master
of Cavalry, ace-horseman or something like. John Henson thinks he was a
converted soldier, now in charge of the slaves in Philemon’s household. This
would explain why he is included in the address, since he may, like
Philemon, have been aggrieved by Handy’s past behaviour.
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