Paul does not write to Philemon in a detached, dispassionate way. Rather, he writes as a participant, a partner in the greatest community in the world, the church of Jesus Christ. And Paul highlights the fellowship that exists between those who are followers of Christ as he makes his appeal personal. I have elsewhere pointed out the ways that love is shared among Christians, and that that love undergirds Paul's appeal. But I want to point out to you now some other, more subtle ways that Paul draws on in making his appeal, grounded in the power of life that they shared together as believers. We see it in the language that he uses, the language of fellowship. For example, he speaks of praying for Philemon: I thank my God, always, when I remember you, in my prayers (Philemon 1:4). Brothers and sisters, a significant way that we enter into each other's life is through prayer. If you are regularly praying for, talking to God about your brothers and sisters, then you will not be able to go on living in a broken relationship with them. Your prayers that show the fellowship exists between you and others will become a motivation that God uses to go to them to make things right.1
Tom Ascol
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,