v. 22 Paul expected release from his house arrest in Rome soon (cf. Acts 23:29; 24:13; 25:25-27; 26:31-32; Phil. 2:24). This happened, but we have no record that Paul did or did not fulfill his desire to visit Philemon. The prospect of this visit would have motivated Philemon further to accept Onesimus. Paul believed the prayers of the Christians in Philemon's church could result in his being released.
"Paul held that prayer had an objective as well as a subjective value. He believed in prayer as a mighty working force in the spiritual universe. As such he sought and valued the prayers of others on his behalf, and he himself faithfully exercised such intercession for the saints."45
vv. 23-24 Epaphras was the evangelist of the Lycus Valley and a leading man in the church at Colossae, probably the leading pastor (Col. 1:7). He was probably not in prison with Paul (Col. 1:8; cf. 4:10). "Fellow-prisoner"is more likely a figurative expression referring to the Christian's spiritual warfare. Paul mentioned his other four companions in Colossians 4:10 and 14.
v. 25 The final benediction is typical of Paul. The "your"is plural in the Greek text and refers to the whole church in Philemon's house. This is the only occurrence of pneuma("spirit") in the epistle, and it clearly refers to the human spirit.
What happened as a result of this letter? Did Philemon forgive Onesimus? We have no direct record of his response to this letter. However the fact that Philemon preserved this epistle and allowed it to circulate among the churches strongly suggests that he did behave as Paul had requested. According to Christian tradition Onesimus later became bishop of Ephesus.46
Paul's bringing pressures of various kinds to bear on Philemon to respond as he requested while verbally appealing in humble terms has created problems for some students of this epistle. Was Paul being manipulative? Was he guilty of emotional blackmail? I do not think so. It would have been obvious to Philemon, as it is to us, that Paul definitely wanted a certain response to this letter. Nevertheless it would have been equally clear that Paul was making his appeal on the basis of love rather than apostolic authority.
"Those who see in Paul's earlier appeal a form of emotional manipulation should also acknowledge here [in v. 14] that Paul in effect confesses his vulnerability and complete dependence on Philemon's goodwill. In the social relationships of a church existing in an unequal society there is a particular responsibility on the part of the powerful to act toward others in a spirit of goodness rather than standing on their rights."47
It is not inconsistent with love to motivate by pointing out obligations, opportunities, and consequences.48
