Philemon - Hospitality, Hope, Prayer and Becoming a Gift of God

Philemon: Hospitality, Hope, Prayer and Becoming a Gift of God

"xenian", "elpizo/elpis", "proseuchomai/proseuche", and "charizomai"
Group 4 Presentation - April 23, 1999
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Overview

      The focus of this work is v. 22 of Paul’s letter to Philemon. Research into the key terms and ideas in this passage indicate that Paul is pulling together the key elements of the oikos in this passage; hospitality, hope, prayer, and becoming a gift of God are clearly intrinsic to the Christian household. As you read each section pertaining to a particular word and concept, keep in mind its centrality and connection to the way the Christian community is to relate to one another. Might one go so far as to say that these behaviors are what is appropriate/fitting ("to anekon") for the Christian oikos?

elpizo: Hope

      The basic definition of elpizo is "I hope." Its first use is in the sense of something expected, awaited or hoped for, as in Lk 6:34: "And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Secondly, "elpis" is used in the sense of relying on a basis of confidence as trust in or confide in (I Cor 15:19) "If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied" (Bauer).
      Hope for the Greeks was a neutral term anticipating a future that could be good or bad. For OT writers, there was no neutral word for future expectations. The future was either expected to be bad or good. If the expectation was bad, the future was viewed with fear. If the future was expected to be good, it was looked upon with hope. The NT understanding of hope is always positive. This can be seen in human terms as in a farmer's hope for a good crop (I Cor 9:10). When hope is expressed in connection with God, it takes on three distinct characteristics: 1) expectation of the future, such as Heb. 1:1 2) trust, as in 1 John 3:3 and 3) patient waiting as in Rom 5:3-4. All three of these characteristics are to be seen in an eschatological light as the continuing and fulfilling of the OT hope in JC as pointed to in Mt 11:21, "and in his name the Gentiles hope." As Kittel puts it, "hope is not concerned with the realization of a human dream of the future, but with the confidence which, directed away from the world to God, waits patiently for God's gift, and when it is received does not rest in possession but in the assurance that God will maintain what He has given" (Kittel, 532).

xenian: Hospitality or Guest-Room

      "xenian" is intimately related to "xenious", which means foreign/alien guests or strangers. According to Kittel, "Words from the stem "xen" - bear on the one side the concept of 'foreign,' 'alien'. . . .and on the other side that of "guest." (Kittel, vol.V, 1) Hospitality was clearly a key factor in the successful spread of the gospel. III John 5-8 speaks to the relevance of hospitality to every Christian: "Beloved, it is a loyal thing you do when you render any service to the brethren, especially to strangers ("xenous"), who have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey as befits God's service. For they have set out for his sake and have accepted nothing from the heathen. So we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers ("sunergoi") in the truth." Thus, by supporting those who share the gospel, the hospitable Christian also becomes a "sunergoi". In relation to the Philemon text, it seems that Paul assumes that Philemon fits this ideal of being a hospitable, fellow-worker (vv. 1, 22). In fact, his use of the term "proslambano" in v. 17 indicates that it may well be a technical term for oikos hospitality. In this verse, Paul seems to be saying that if you are bound with me in the common cause of Christ, then be hospitable to Philemon as you would be to me. Thus, taking others into one’s oikos is part of being in the common-cause bond. I Peter 4:9 reinforces this ideal and moves it into the realm of being gracious to one another because of God's graciousness to us: "Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
      Mt. 25:35 speaks profoundly to the practice of hospitality: ". . . for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger ("xenos") and you welcomed me. . . " This passage seems to link hospitality with refreshing, as it seems to indicate that a key function of the community is to provide hospitality and refreshment to one another (see "anapepautai", Phlm v. 7). The Luke 24 Emmaus Road story is another clear example of hospitality being linked to right behavior and the Kingdom of God.
      Ephesians 2:19 is a key passage for understanding Paul's view of the intimate relationship between hospitality and the oikos: "So then you are no longer strangers ("xenoi") and sojourners ("paroikoi" !!!), but you are fellow citizens ("sumpolitai") with the saints and members of the household ("oikeioi") of God." This passage seems to indicate that because God has made us members of God's household, we are no longer strangers. The implication is that we are to act like it by being hospitable. (Note: The eschatological inference behind "so then" is noteworthy. In one sense we have already experienced this household of God. However, we are time bound and do not experience the fullness of the present.) (See also I Cor. 7:21 "chrestai").

"proseuchon" : Prayer

      The terms "proseuchomai" and "proseuche" are the fundamental NT terms for prayer; they express the encounter that manifests itself in individual acts of prayer and supplication and in an ongoing communal attitude and behavior influenced by prayer. The concept is based on the conviction that God exists, hears and answers prayer (Encyclopaedia Judaica, Vol. 13, 978.) The biblical conception of prayer is primarily intercession and self-scrutiny leading to hope (elpis !!). (ibid) Despite its multifaceted character, biblical prayer is essentially a simple human reaction. The rabbis called it “the service of the heart.” Furthermore, in ancient Israel, communal prayer is seen to be of greater significance than private prayer (Deut. 2:12). In fact, too much reflection on one’s prayers in the expectation that these will be answered was discouraged.
      Prayer is clearly a cornerstone of Christian practice. The early Christian community devoted themselves not only to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, and breaking the bread, but they also devoted themselves to prayer (Act. 2:42). The church community prayed corporately for Peter in prison (Act 12:5). In order to devote themselves to prayer and to serving the Word, the 12 apostles selected seven to wait on tables among the whole disciples (Act 6:4).
      In I Peter 3:7, husbands are instructed to show consideration for their wives so that their prayers may not be hindered. The context of this passage within the household code seems to add to the implication that prayer is not only corporate within the oikos, but that prayers are central to the Christian household’s ability to live into the reality that Christ has set before them. Prayers are crucial to the life of the oikos, and each member must be careful to live his or her life so as not to hinder the prayers. The question this raises is what is the oikos praying for? Isn't the prayer for koinonia? (see also Matt. 18:19).
      Paul is concerned with intercession, something he does for the churches and in like manner expects from them. In Phlm 6, Paul writes, “I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective.. . . “ In Rom. 15:30, Paul appeals to the Christian community there to “join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf.” Clearly, Paul is counting on the intercession of prayer in these texts, as well as in Phlm. 22, but he knows that the issue is in God’s hand (the grace of God). Rom. 1:9-10 also indicates Paul’s belief in God’s providence in these matters: “. . .that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you.” Paul hopes to come to the house church of Philemon by God’s will through ("dia") their prayers. Does Paul want to declare the mystery of the gospel, or the parenesis of the Christian household (become who you are) boldly? “To prepare a guest room for him and to pray for his release symbolize their share in the mission work to which he himself is committed, for he will come to them not only as friend, but as apostle. Not only does he himself constantly pray for his churches, but he begs them to assume the wider responsibility of giving him prayer support as apostle in the new age.”
      Intercession in the biblical sense appears always to presuppose a community relationship between the intercessor and those for whom he prays (whether the people of Israel, the Christian fellowship, or the wider group of “humankind”). The two parties are connected in some way. This connectedness seems to be presupposed in Philemon. Note the opening blessing (v. 3), the prayer-report (vv. 4, 6), the indirect prayer request (v. 22b), and the closing blessing (v. 25).

"charisthesomai/charizomai": Becoming a Gift of God

      Paul's unique use of the "divine passive" charisthesomai" in v.22 (translated "I shall be given" ) indicates that it is only God who can secure Paul’s release. This is why Paul instructs the Philemon’s community to petition God in prayer. The term "charizomai" denotes a gift given graciously. Divine favor stands behind the gift given. It also has the meaning of granting something or somebody to someone. Romans 8:32 points out the most divine of all gifts given. I Cor. 2:12 also reminds us of the Divine causative behind what has been freely given us. The term "charizomai" draws attention to the gracious nature of the divine action. Paul's hope for his release is not for his own sake but for the benefit of you ("humin", pl). Paul's release from imprisonment depends on an act of generosity of God's part, in which their prayers would be important, however, the outcome rests entirely in God's hands. And it is God who can graciously give Paul to the community ("humin"). A "doulon" of God is his possesion to give freely at his own choosing. To become a gift of God is to first become a "doulon" who understands that they are in his hands to give away as a gift to another. In Phlm 22, Paul hopes and through the prayers of the community to be graciously given (granted) to them by God; therefore, becoming a gift of God to the community by God's grace. In v. 15 Paul states that Onesimus was taken for a while and now the taker (God) is sending him back and Paul hopes he too will be graciously given to them (by God). Paul’s hope for his release is not just for his own sake, but primarily for the benefit of the Christian’s that are in Colossae ("humin").

Apostolic Parousia

      The presence or parousia of the apostle was important to the early Christian communities because of the relationship between Paul and the communities. Paul often established the churches and played a key role in the conversion of Christians, as he had with Philemon and Onesimus. It was as if he "birthed" them. As an apostle, Paul represented authority and was a source for guidance, scriptural interpretation, and inspiration. If there were false teachings (Col), dissension (1 Cor; Gal), or other problems such as that addressed in Philemon, Paul as apostle provided authoritative leadership. Paul’s joy or concern reflected his evaluation of how closely the communities followed Christ’s teachings. The apostolic presence reflects the complexity of the relationship.
      The apostolic presence could be effected in several ways. Funk describes Paul’s "travelogues" as promising to personally visit, send another (like Timothy in Ph 2:19), or both. Paul’s letters also represent apostolic presence. Following a pattern typical of Greek letters to friends, Paul uses a conversational, intimate style of writing which simulates actual presence (Koskenniemi in Doty 12). By receiving Paul’s letter, Philemon is challenged to receive Onesimus as he receives Paul, by letter or personal visit. Alternatively, Philemon receives Christ as he receives Onesimus (or Paul via the letter).

Conclusions

      It seems that Paul is pulling together the key elements of the oikos in this passage; hospitality, hope, prayer, and becoming a gift of God are intrinsic to the Christian household/housechurch. Hospitality is central to what is means to be a bound-one in Christ. Hospitality means embracing the other just as he is. It is about belonging and being accepted. Hope and prayer are intimately linked. The household's prayer is for the incoming of the word of God. In prayer, the household acknowledges its inability to be a community or new creation without God. So prayer is about giving our hope and destiny to God. This text assumes that the household is already praying. (Note the optative in v. 20) Thus, hope is not just speculative or anthropological; it is a theological confidence. It is a foretaste of the future that has already visited you in the present. All prayer, hope and hospitality is intended to put the Christian oikos in the posture of right relationship with one another and with God, thereby rendering each member a gift of God. Finally, this letter does seem to be apostolic; it is not just about Philemon and Onesimus. It is about "koinonia" and "splagchna". It is about "euchestos" —being well-useful to God! Ultimately, the message is that we are all slaves to something; so, choose your "kurios"!!

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