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"Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus..."

Text: Philemon 1

IDENTIFICATION OF THE AUTHOR

The Apostle Paul identifies as he usually does in all his letters. It was customary for writers to put their names in the beginning of their letters/epistles.

“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother.”
Philemon 1

1. Different introductions employed in other letters

Paul introduced himself in a number of ways in his letters:-

a) As a bondservant of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1).

b) As an apostle of Jesus Christ.

i) The most common of introductions.

ii) 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1 etc

c) No titles at all, just a list of names- 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1

i) Paul

ii) Silvanus (Silas)

iii) Timothy

d) As a prisoner of Christ Jesus (Philemon 1).

2. “Paul… and Timothy”

a) This is not unusual.

b) Timothy was a dearly beloved spiritual son of Paul.

c) He is probably well known to Philemon.

d) Timothy’s name was graciously added.

3. “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus”

a) This was a factual statement.

b) It may express the following:

i) Grim consciousness of being a prisoner.

ii) But there was clarity that he was a prisoner of Christ Jesus.

iii) Paul was not in prison because of wrong-doing.

iv) He was a prisoner for the sake of the cause of Christ Jesus.

v) It was an evocative statement.

Anyone who honoured and loved Paul would feel deeply as he reads these words.