The Love of the Brethren - Wesley Wright

Wesley Wright

Lighthouse Bible Church

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Title: The love of the brethren

 

PHI 1:1-7

 

This short letter is written to Philemon, a fellow believer in the Lord Jesus, and to others at a church in Philemon’s home.

 

Many assume Philemon’s home was in Colossae. Here’s why — two people mentioned in this letter are in Colossians: Onesimus (COL 4:9) and Archippus (COL 4:17)

 

Paul called himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ, which he’ll repeat in verses 9 and 10.

 

ROM 16:7

 

 

EPH 3:1-10

 

 

Prisoner has a negative connotation most of the time. This concept has a positive connotation, since he is a prisoner for the sake of the gospel.

 

Paul was literally in prison while writing this letter. In Jewish parlance, debtors could become prisoners. That is, until their debt was forgiven. Who forgave yours?

 

MAT 18:21-35

 

LUK 7:40-47

 

COL 2:13-14

 

1PE 2:21-25

 

You’ll notice Paul also refers to Apphia, another believer, and Archippus, a soldier in Philemon 1:2.

 

We are soldiers of sorts, too, battling for the body of Christ. Paul used the same concept in his letters to Timothy.

 

1TI 1:18-20

 

2TI 2:1-4

 

PHI 2:25-30

(Epaphroditus)

 

EPH 6:10-20

(bonds or chains means he was chained up)

 

 

Paul said that he made mention of this group in his prayers, and he thanked God for their love and faith which they have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all saints.

 

Walking in truth in something Paul mentioned, and it’s important to consider your brethren, same as Philemon would have. In this case, brethren = believers.

 

Psa 133

 

HEB 13:1-3

 

1JO 1:3-7

 

 

2Jo 3-11

 

 

3Jo 1-4

 

 

Paul’s prayers was that the fellowship of their faith would be effective through the knowledge of every good thing in them for Christ’s sake.

 

JAM 1:17-20

 

EPH 2:10-12

 

Don’t take the term prisoner lightly. Even though Paul was in prison, he enjoyed great liberty in Christ, and so do we via our belief in Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Many Christians in other parts of the world gather in home churches because of persecution from government or the citizenry, or both. Pray earnestly for them.

 

We have a responsibility as soldiers to constantly concern ourselves with the One who sent us out into this world. He has dutifully equipped us, after all, and we aren’t alone since we have brethren.