“Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Philemon 1:21–25 (ESV)
The letter to Philemon closes just as it began, with grace, gentleness, and pastoral love. Having appealed to Philemon’s heart, Paul expresses confidence that his brother in Christ will respond with joyful obedience, not reluctant compliance. In fact, he is confident that Philemon will go above and beyond as he states, “I know you will do even more than I say.” What a beautiful picture of trust between brothers in Christ. But, Paul’s faith does not lie in Philemon’s goodwill or own strength, but in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit working within him. Genuine Christian obedience always springs from a heart owned by Christ. It is not a checklist of tasks we must do to earn favor, but a living response to the grace we’ve already received. Paul knew that when a believer’s heart is captured by Christ, doing “even more” is simply an outflowing of gratitude for what Christ has already done for us.
Paul’s request of Philemon to prepare a guest room reveals his raw humanity and his need for the prayers of others. He honestly hoped to visit with Philemon and the local church, but history seems to indicate Paul never had a chance to make it to Colossae, reminding us that our will is not always God’s will, and that we must always submit to what God wants.
I am reminded of this as we consider our roles in ministry work. We often charge forward believing we are doing what God asked us to do, but we have to stop and pray, seeking God’s will. Praying for God’s will. And being okay with God’s will! Forcing a situation to happen, even if we think it will serve God or expand His Kingdom, is unwise, and I firmly believe our brother Paul understood this perfectly. He knew how to submit to God (see Phil. 4:12-13).
Paul’s brief list of personal greetings reminds us that the work of the gospel is never done in isolation, instead it flourishes through relationships, encouragement, and shared perseverance. The mention of men like Luke and Mark also testifies to redemption’s reach; Mark, once a deserter and one that Paul had a sharp disagreement with Barnabas over (see Acts 15), had apparently been restored to usefulness, much like Onesimus. God’s grace not only heals, but it restores. And this is always the hope within the Christian family when we are faced with disagreements.
As we look back on this short but powerful letter, several lessons emerge. We’ve seen the beauty of love over commanding authority, the miracle of transformation in a redeemed life, and the freedom that forgiveness brings to both the offender and the offended. We’ve learned that doing what is right in Christ’s eyes often means laying down our rights and trusting that God’s purposes are greater than our sense of fairness. The letter to Philemon teaches us that the gospel is not just a message to believe, it’s something we live out each day in our interactions with others, one simple act of grace at a time.
We see Paul’s final words as a truly timeless blessing: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Grace began this letter and grace concludes it, for grace is the thread that holds every believer’s life together. It is the foundation of our salvation, the strength of our obedience, and the bond of our unity. When grace through love governs our hearts, forgiveness becomes possible, humility becomes beautiful, and love becomes the measure of every relationship. And without it, we are hopelessly lost. To God be the glory for first showing us what true grace looks like!
May we, like Philemon, live out our faith not merely in words or performing religious works to look holy, but in heartfelt actions that honestly reflect the grace of Christ. And may we, like Paul, become intercessors and mediators who stand in the gap for others. And like Onesimus, may we walk in the freedom and with the purpose of those who have been redeemed through the priceless blood of our Savior. For in every act of reconciliation, in every offering of forgiveness, and in every humble choice we make, the world catches a glimpse of the Savior who made us His own, and through this we are given the amazing opportunity to shine a light into the dark world around us.