by Samuel E. Ward Introduction and Salutation A. Background 1. According to 18th century English historian Edward Gibbon, one-half of the population of the Roman Empire were slaves. Later estimates have it rising to nearly three-fourths. 2. Since slaves were considered property of their masters, a runaway slave could face the death penalty if caught and most certainly if a he/she was a thief, as well. 3. The only hope for a slave who had no legal standing was to find someone to intercede on his behalf for mercy on the part of the owner. There are many examples of letters of intercession from the ancient Roman period. 4. Philemon appears to be such a letter written by Paul on behalf of a slave named Onesimus to his master. --The Rise and Decline of the Roman Empire, Edward Gibbon B. Key Individuals of the Letter 1. Paul, the author, was imprisoned in Rome at the time. 2. Philemon, the recipient, was a leader in the church of Colossae. The letter is also addressed to Apphia (his wife?) and Archippus (a son and perhaps pastor at Colossae?) 3. Onesimus: Note these three facts. a. He was a slave who had run away from Philemon's household and stolen some of his property as well. b. He had become a believer under Paul's ministry whom he had providentially met perhaps in Rome. c. He had become a valued partner in ministry with Paul. C. Connection to Colossians, Col 4:7-9, 17. 1. Onesimus is mentioned in a letter to Colossians and identified as a Colossian. He was also a faithful and dear brother returning to Colossae with Tychicus, Col 4:7-9. 2. Archippus is mentioned as a key leader, perhaps even a pastor in the church at Colossae, and is encouraged to complete the work he had been called "in the Lord" to do, Col 4:17. 3. It is assumed that Philemon is a letter written just prior to Colossians in preparation for a future visit by Paul. See Philemon 1:22. D. Observations Concerning the Letter In reading and studying this personal letter, it should be remembered that literary critics consider it one of the supreme masterpieces of letter writing. No one has ever surpassed the exquisite tact and courtesy of Paul, the Christian gentleman, as he writes in behalf of Onesimus. But the epistle is more than a literary masterpiece, for spiritual-minded Bible scholars see in it a touching parable of redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. --The Pilgrim Study Bible, "Philemon" E. Salutation, Philemon 1:1-3 Philemon 1:1-3 (NIV) 1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home: 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the message of this postcard letter from Paul to Philemon. I. Prayers for Philemon ,1:4-7 A. A Prayer of Thanksgiving: His Character Is a Reason to Thank God,
Philemon 1:4-5
Philemon 1:4 (NIV) 4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,
1. You are known for your faith in the Lord Jesus, Philemon 1:5a.
Philemon 1:5a (NIV) 5abecause I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus
2. You are known for your love for all the saints, Philemon 1:5b.
Philemon 1:5b (NIV) 5b and your love for all the saints.
B. A Prayer for an Active Witness: His Continued Witness Is the Means to Greater Understanding, Philemon 1:6
Philemon 1:6 (NIV) 6I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
C. An Acknowledgement of Philemon's Blessings to So Many, Philemon 1:7 1. To Paul personally, Philemon 1:7a
Philemon 1:7a (NIV) 7aYour love has given me great joy and encouragement,
2. To the saints generally, Philemon 1:7b
Philemon 1:7b (NIV) 7bbecause you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
II. Petitions to Philemon, Philemon 1:8 A. The Basis of Paul's Request of Philemon, Philemon 1:8-9a 1. From his perspective as an apostle he could make his request an order, Philemon 1:8.
Philemon 1:8 (NIV) 8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
2. From his perspective as a brother in Christ, he chose rather to ask on the basis of love, Philemon 1:9a.
Philemon 1:9a (NIV) 9ayet I appeal to you on the basis of love.
B. The Reason for Paul's Request of Philemon, Philemon 1:9b-11 1. Onesimus has become useful to him, Philemon 1:9b-10.
a. Paul was now an old man and a prisoner, Philemon 1:9b.
Philemon 1:9b (NIV) 9bI then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— b. Onesimus has become like a son to him, Philemon 1: 10.
Philemon 1:10 (NIV) 10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
2. Onesimus was formerly useless to you, now he is useful to us both,
Philemon 1:11
Philemon 1:11 (NIV) 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
III. Proper Respect for Philemon A. He Was Sending Onesimus Back, Philemon 1:12-13.
Philemon 1:12-13 (NIV) 12I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.
B. He Was Giving Philemon the Opportunity to Show Voluntary Grace,
Philemon 1:14.
Philemon 1:14 (NIV) 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.
C. He Was Hoping Philemon Might See the Greater Outcome,
Philemon 1:15-16.
Philemon 1:15-16 (NIV) 15Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. IV. Proposal to Philemon, Philemon 1:17-21 A. Welcome Onesimus Because We Are Partners in Christ, Philemon 1:17.
Philemon 1:17 (NIV) 17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
B. Charge Any Loss You Have Because of Onesimus to Me,
Philemon 1:18-20
Philemon 1:18-19 (NIV) 18If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
1. You have my signature as a personal guarantee. 2. You, however, should remember that you have a debt in Christ to me. 3. You will bless and refresh me immensely if you agree. C. I Am Confident in Your Eager and Generous Obedience, I Give Onensimus Back to You, Philemon 1:21.
Philemon 1: 21 (NIV) 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
V. Postcript to Philemon, Philemon 1:22. A. Prepare a Guest Room for Me, Philemon 1:22.
Philemon 1:22 (NIV) 22And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
B. Accept Greetings from My Partners in Prison, Philemon 1:23-24.
Philemon 1:23-24 (NIV) 23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
C. Accept the Benediction I Offer for You, Philemon 1:25. Philemon 1:25 (NIV) 25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Applications to Life 1. There is a place not only for intercessory prayer but for intercessory representation of a Christian on their behalf where restoration is concerned. The intercessor takes in view the rights of both sides in bringing the parties together. In this case, it is also the application a principle taught in
1 Cor 6:5-6. 2. In seeking restoration, restitution is sometimes an issue in effecting it. The one who has taken from another should restore it, but the one who suffered the loss may choose to forgive the loss if he so chooses. He is also right in receiving the restitution. It is a matter that requires prayer, spiritual insight, and appropriate mercy and grace. 3. All Christians are of equal status in the eyes of the Lord and should be treated as such in the fellowship of believers. Paul's words to Philemon indicate that though Onesimus was his slave, he should now also be treated as his Christian brother. Whatever benefit Onesimus may have had to Philemon was subservient to what he might be as the Lord's servant. How hard it is to release to the Lord for greater service those who serve or bless us. Parents of children who are called to the mission field know this kind of pain. ========================================================== | 
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