Philemon

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Philemon

• A Model of Christian Courtesy
• A Manifestation of Christian Love
• A Monument of Christian Conversion

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Philemon Background Information

• The Author Paul Phm 1, 9, 19
• The Time and Place of writing

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The time and place of writingWhen you compare
Philemon to Colossians, both were written at same
time and from the same place

• Colossians and Philemon both written while Paul
  was in chains (prison). (Phm 1, 10, 13, 23 and
  Col 418)
• Timothy joined Paul in both epistles. (Phm 1 and
  Col 11)
• Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke
  joined in the salutations of both. (Phm 23,24
  and Col 410-14)
• Onesimus was one of the messengers by whom the
  epistle to Colossians was sent. (Col 47-9)

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Time and place of writingIf Philemon was
written about the same time of Colossians and the
other prison epistles (Ephesians Philippians)

• Then it was written during Pauls imprisonment at
  Rome, the time mentioned in Acts 2830-31.
• This would place it sometime around 61-63 AD.

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Philemon Background Information

• The Author Paul Phm 1, 9, 19
• The Time and Place of writing
• The Main Characters

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Main Characters

• Philemon
• He was likely a member of the church of Colosse.
• Very hospitable man.
• One of Pauls own converts. (Phm 19)
• Apphia
• Possibly wife of Philemon.
• Archippus
• Thought to be the son of Philemon.
• A Minister of the gospel (Col 417)
• Onesimus
• Philemons slave. (Phm 16)
• Ran away. (Phm 15)
• After traveling to Rome, converted to Christ.
  (Phm 10)
• Very dear and useful to Paul. (Phm 11-13 and Col
  410)

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Philemon Background Information

• The Author Paul Phm 1, 9, 19
• The Time and Place of writing
• The Main Characters
• The Occasion for this letter

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Occasion for this letter

• Paul didnt think it was right to keep Onesimus
  with him in Rome
• Its basically an appeal to Philemon from Paul
  to
• Receive Onesimus back as a brother
• To forgive him if he had done anything wrong

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Philemon
Pauls Greetings 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ
Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our
beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the
beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and
to the church in your house 3 Grace to you and
peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.    Pauls Thanksgiving and Prayer for
Philemon 4 I thank my God, making mention of you
always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and
faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and
toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your
faith may become effective by the acknowledgment
of every good thing which is in you in Christ
Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in
your love, because the hearts of the saints have
been refreshed by you, brother. Pauls plea in
behalf of Onesimus 8 Therefore, though I might be
very bold in Christ to command you what is
fitting, 9 yet for loves sake I rather appeal to
youbeing such a one as Paul, the aged, and now
also a prisoner of Jesus Christ 10 I appeal to
you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten
while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable
to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive
him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to
keep with me, that on your behalf he might
minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14
But without your consent I wanted to do nothing,
that your good deed might not be by compulsion,
as it were, but voluntary. 15 For perhaps he
departed for a while for this purpose, that you
might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a
slave but more than a slavea beloved brother,
especially to me but how much more to you, both
in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 If then you
count me as a partner, receive him as you would
me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes
anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am
writing with my own hand. I will repaynot to
mention to you that you owe me even your own self
besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from
you in the Lord refresh my heart in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write
to you, knowing that you will do even more than I
say. Pauls concluding remarks 22 But,
meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for
I trust that through your prayers I shall be
granted to you. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner
in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark,
Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. 25
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your
spirit. Amen.
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Objectives for studying this epistle

• To be impressed with the loving hospitality that
  characterized early Christians
• Philemon opened his home for the church (Phm 1-2
  Rom 163-5 1 Cor 1619)
• His love for the saints (Phm 5 Col 14 2 Thes
  13)
• He refreshed the hearts of the saints (Phm 7 1
  Cor 1615-18)
• How Paul could depend on him for a place to stay
  (Phm 22)

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Objectives for studying this epistle cont

• To learn tact in dealing with others
• Paul could have commanded Philemon, but instead
  appealed to him (Phm 8-9)
• He introduced the subject of his appeal gradually
  (Phm 10)
• He refused to compel Philemon to let him retain
  Onesimus in Rome, but sent him back (Phm 12-14)
• He offered to pay Philemon for any wrong incurred
  by Onesimus (Phm18-19)
• He believes in the basic good of Philemon, not
  suspicious of how he will react (Phm 21)

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10 lessons to be learned from the book of
Philemon

• The importance of being grateful and prayerful
  for one another as brethren (Phm 4)
• Humility of Paul - as an apostle he took the time
  to bring about reconciliation between a slave and
  a master
• The riches of Gods grace in saving a vile sinner
  (Phm 10 1Tim 115)
• What sometimes seems to be a serious infraction,
  God can turn into a blessing (Phm 15-16)
• When one is converted, he still has obligation to
  the law and when necessary restitution must be
  made (Phm 18-19 Luke 196-9)

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10 lessons to be learned from the book of
Philemon cont

• We should expect brethren, when they know to do
  what is right, to do it (Phm 20-21)
• In Christ, there is no class distinction (Phm 16
  Gal 328-29)
• The need for older Christians to stand in behalf
  of younger Christians (Acts 926 28)
• To be joyful over the good that other Christians
  do (Phm 7)
• Becoming a Christian makes one very useful to
  humanity and the cause of Christ (Phm 11)

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Conclusion

• From the example of Paul and Philemon, there is
  much to be gained from reading and thinking about
  this very short epistle
• Philemon a model of Christian hospitality
• Paul a model of Christian courtesy

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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your
spirit. Amen