Philemon 1
Background:
The book is one of four prison epistles \\#Phm 1:9\\. While in
prison, Paul had met and won a man named Onesimus to the Lord
\\#Phm 1:10\\. Onesimus was a runaway slave and Paul was sending him
back with Tychicus who was also to carry a letter to Colossae
\\#Col 4:7-9\\. This makes some think that Philemon might have lived
near Colossae.
Time:
The time period would likely be around 60 to 61 AD.
Issues:
The book of Philemon is a very short, personal book written from Paul
to a Christian friend who happened to also be a slave owner. The
slave owner’s name was Philemon. The topic of the letter concerned a
slave that had run away, Onesimus, whom Paul had led to the Lord and
was sending back to his master, Philemon.
Everything about this book bothers some—-unbelievers and Christians
alike. Some use the book as evidence that God, at the least, condoned
of slavery and perhaps even approved and supported it. Add to that
the fact that the book contains virtually no doctrinal teaching and,
frankly, some wonder why it is even in the Biblical cannon at all.
As so often is the case, the Bible does not answer all of man’s
questions nor does it give a rebuttal to man’s charges; but as a
believer in the inspiration of the Bible, I have no doubt that this
book not only belongs in the cannon but can also teach us God’s mind
and will. As to the charges laid against the book, I will say the
following.
First, while the book may not teach doctrine, it certainly
demonstrates it.
Paul and Onesimus illustrated the importance of obeying
authority-—whether they agreed with it not. While many suppose that
Paul did agree with slavery, that is mere supposition. There is
nothing in the Bible that indicates Paul did, but he did believe in
obeying authority and no doubt taught that doctrine to Onesimus
\\#Romans 13:1-7\\.
Second, the book also illustrates the importance of keeping one’s
testimony as far from reproach as possible.
Paul plainly stated in the letter that he would have preferred to
have kept Onesimus with him \\#Phm 1:8\\. No doubt, it would have
been better for Paul and much more desirable for Onesimus, but it
would not have been right so neither of them did it. Instead, Paul
wrote this letter, seeking the best treatment he could for Onesimus
and Onesimus himself took the letter and returned to his master.
Third, slavery in Paul’s day was vastly different from the slavery
most think of today. Some of the slavery in Paul’s day was debt
slavery. It came about because people could not pay their debt and
it lasted only until the debt was paid. Another form was conquest
slavery which came about when one nation conquered another.
God did not invent either of these slavery forms, man did. God only
regulated slavery among the Jews to keep His people from being overly
cruel and oppressive.
The last form of slavery was kidnapping slavery which is what most
think of today when slavery is mentioned. Kidnapping slavery occurred
when someone was abducted and forced to serve another. This kind of
slavery was never condoned by God or the Bible. Instead, God
pronounced the death penalty against those who did the kidnapping, as
well as, those who did the transporting and selling.
Ex 21:16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth
him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall
surely be put to death.
De 24:7 If a man be found stealing any of his
brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh
merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that
thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away
from among you.
The question is asked, "Couldn’t God have stopped slavery?" The
answer is, "Yes," but like all sins that God can stop, to do so He
would have to remove man’s freewill. Interestingly, many of the same
people who would want God to over-ride man’s freewill in the matter
of someone else’s sins take great offense at God meddling in their
sins.
Fourth and last, let me give my opinion to the question, "Why is this
book even in the cannon of Scripture?" I would say that the book of
Philemon demonstrates to us how to live in a world where sin reigns.
Herein Paul, as the agent of God, sought the best possible outcome
for Onesimus in an unpleasant and undesirable situation.
For Paul and Onesimus, there were only two undesirable options, to
not go back to Philemon or go back. While neither may have liked it,
slavery was legal under Roman law and, by that law, Onesimus had done
wrong in running away. So what is a Christian to do when faced with
only bad options? He is to obey authority while doing what he can to
minimize the hurt and pain that comes by living in a sin-cursed
world. This is what Paul did and this is what we are to do. So
teaches the small but inspired book of Philemon. It is not an
inspired book of doctrinal teaching but an inspired book of doctrinal
living.
Outline:
\\#1:1-3\\ Salutation
\\#1:4-7\\ A Past Friendship
\\#1:8-17\\ A Present Request
\\#1:18-21\\ A Future Promise
\\#1:22-25\\ Closing
I. \\#1:1-3\\ Salutation
A. Paul mentioned three people.
1. \\#1\\ Timothy - Mentioned 27 times in the New Testament
either by Timothy or Timotheus. Timothy joined Paul
while on his second journey \\#Acts 16:1\\ who served the
Lord by helping Paul. Timothy was with Paul when he
wrote this letter from the prison in Rome.
2. \\#2\\ Apphia - A woman’s name and thought to be
Philemon’s wife. She is not mentioned elsewhere in the
Bible. Some speculate that Paul may have mentioned her
to appeal to a tender heart in helping Onesimus’ case
but that is mere conjecture.
3. Archippus - Mentioned only here and in \\#Col 4:17\\ where
Paul encouraged him to remain faithful in his ministry.
B. Paul revealed several truths about Philemon.
1. \\#1\\ He was "dearly beloved."
2. He was a "fellowlabourer" for Christ.
3. \\#2\\ He had a "church in thy house."
4. More will be revealed in the remainder of the letter but
it is obvious from the onset that Philemon was a good,
godly, and caring man. It is hard for some to reconcile
such a man owning slaves but since the Bible did not
condemn slavery, his ownership of slaves and his walk
with God were not in conflict.
C. \\#3\\ "Grace to you, and peace" - Paul’s common salutation
and desire that the people might experience first God’s grace
which should be followed by God’s peace.
II. \\#1:4-7\\ A Past Friendship - As Paul often did in the opening
remarks of his letters, he shared his prayer for those he was
writing to and the testimony that he had heard concerning them.
A. \\#4\\ Paul made "mention of thee always in" his prayers.
B. \\#5\\ And he had heard…
1. …of his "love and faith" in Jesus.
2. …of his love "toward all saints."
C. \\#6\\ And Paul prayed that Philemon’s "communication of"
faith might be "effectual" or effective, reflecting the
amount of your knowledge in the good things of Jesus Christ.
1. Paul wanted Philemon’s knowledge of Jesus to be the
measure by how effective his witness would be.
2. Paul must have had great confidence in Philemon’s
knowledge of Jesus to pray such a prayer for the man.
D. \\#7\\ "For we have great joy and consolation in thy love"
1. "We" would be Paul and those with him.
2. These men were made happy and comforted when they heard
how Philemon personally "refreshed" the believers.
3. Again, his spiritual gifts and heart are displayed.
III. \\#1:8-17\\ A Present Request - Paul began to make his request.
A. \\#8\\ "Wherefore" - Paul started his request by relying on
Philemon’s godly character.
B. \\#8-9\\ Paul endeavored to touch Philemon’s emotions.
1. "I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee"
a. Paul might have used his position in Christ to
persuade or even to instruct Philemon in this matter,
but Paul would not.
b. However, even the mentioning of Paul’s authority was
intended to set Philemon in an attitude to hear Paul’s
request.
2. "that which is convenient"
a. The convenient thing would have been for Onesimus to
stay and serve Paul or at the least to be set free
so that Paul would not have to make this request, but
Paul would not do that either.
b. Yet again, mentioning the possibility was intended to
set Philemon in a more tender mood.
3. \\#9\\ "Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee"
Instead, Paul would make his request based any respect
Philemon had for him and the love that Paul knew he had
for Jesus.
4. Paul would mention two more conditions concerning himself
before actually making his request.
a. First that he was now "Paul, the aged."
b. Second that he was "also a prisoner of Jesus Christ."
5. These five subtle actions tell us that Paul was shrewd
in dealing with people and would indicate that such
behaviors are not always sinful.
C. \\#10-17\\ Paul’s Request
1. \\#10\\ "I beseech thee" - Paul was asking.
2. That Onesimus… be received \\#12\\.
3. Paul carefully described Onesimus in his request.
a. \\#10\\ "my son" - This term told Philemon both that
Onesimus had been won to the Lord by Paul and that he
was very dear to Paul.
b. \\#11\\ "Which… was… unprofitable, but now
profitable" - Paul was sharing how much Onesimus had
changed. The implication is that Onesimus, now being
saved, would no longer resist his master but would
serve him freely and profitably.
c. \\#12\\ "mine own bowels" - The phrase means that
Paul, by sending Onesimus to Philemon had sent him
Paul’s heart.
d. At least two of these were designed by Paul to further
move Philemon’s heart to mercy and forgiveness for
Onesimus and to accept Paul’s request.
4. \\#13-14\\ Paul’s Convenience - Paul elaborated more on
what would have been convenient for him.
a. \\#13\\ If Onesimus had not been owned by Philemon,
Paul would have kept the lad with him to help in the
furtherance of the gospel.
b. \\#14\\ But because Onesimus was owned by Philemon, he
would not do such a thing so that Philemon’s
"benefit" in heavenly rewards by Onesimus’ service
would come to him "willingly" not being forced.
(1) This seems like a request that Philemon would
send Onesimus back to Paul so that he could
serve the Lord with Paul.
(2) Again, Paul’s wording seems to clearly reflect
the desires of Paul.
5. \\#15-16\\ Philemon’s Reality - Whether Philemon sent
Onesimus back to Paul or not, Onesimus will be a much
better servant.
a. Why?
(1) \\#15\\ "thou shouldest receive him for ever"
Onesimus would no longer be attempting to run
away.
(2) \\#16\\ He would be "a brother, beloved"
Onesimus would no longer be just a servant. That
was not to say that Philemon had to set him
free, but no matter what happened, they would be
brothers in Christ.
b. "both in the flesh, and in the Lord" - Paul went on to
say the relationship of the two was changed in both
realms.
(1) "in the Lord" for they were now brothers in Jesus
Christ.
(2) "in the flesh" for no matter who was master and
who was servant, these two shared something that
would shape now their earthly relationship.
c. "specially to me" - Paul again mentioned how dear
Onesimus had become to him. I would count this as at
least the eight emotion plea from Paul.
6. \\#17\\ The bold request
a. "If thou count me therefore a partner" - Paul had
shared how much he valued Philemon. Here Paul
restated his request based on Philemon’s estimation
of Paul, (i.e. If Philemon valued Paul as a partner
in the work of Christ….)
b. "receive him as myself"
(1) Paul never directly asked Philemon to release
Onesimus but he did ask him twice to receive him
back. meaning to receive him without any
punishment.
(2) Here Paul went further and asked that Onesimus be
treated as Philemon would have treated Paul.
(3) I see here another effort of Paul to touch
Philemon’s heart to—at the very least—care for
Onesimus in a special way if not to release him
altogether.
IV. \\#1:18-21\\ A Future Promise
A. \\#18\\ Paul’s promise was to recompense whatever Philemon
might have lost due to Onesimus.
B. \\#19\\ "I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will
repay it." - Then Paul took the quill to write the promise
himself.
C. "albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine
own self besides."
1. Paul’s shrewdness was again showing.
2. Paul stated that he would not mention the fact that
Philemon, whose salvation must have at the least been
aided by Paul, owed Paul for that debt.
3. Yet, Paul did state it! This would be the ninth
statement Paul made designed to touch Philemon’s heart.
D. \\#20\\ "refresh my bowels in the Lord"
1. That is, "refresh" or warm my heart.
2. No doubt many had expressed appreciation to Paul for
bringing the gospel to them by saying, "If I can ever do
anything for you…."
3. It is evident that Paul was calling that marker in for
Onesimus’ sake.
E. \\#21\\ "knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say"
Paul did not believe he was asking too much from a fellow
believer. Indeed, he fully expected Philemon to do more
than was being requested.
Think about it - If you were Philemon, what would you do? As you
answer the question, lose any 21st century arrogance you might have.
Remember, it would be a financial sacrifice on Philemon to release
Onesimus.
Note - While this letter does not condemn slavery, it should be clear
from Paul’s writing that owners were no better than slaves and indeed
brothers in Christ. It is from writings like Philemon that a very
Christian concept evolved, stating
…that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and
the Pursuit of Happiness.
Constitution of the United States of America
V. \\#1:22-25\\ Closing
A. \\#22\\ When Paul was released, he planned to visit Philemon.
B. \\#23-24\\ As Paul began with a list of friends, so he closes
with a similar list.
1. \\#23\\ Epaphras
a. Was a servant and teacher, maybe even the pastor, at
the church of Colossae. \\#Col 1:7, 4:12\\
b. It is difficult to know for certain, but some think it
possible that Epaphras might have come to Rome and
was now a "fellowprisoner in Christ," himself being
arrested and cast into prison.
c. If not, then Paul might have spoken of Epaphras’
dedication (i.e. that he was so dedicated to Jesus
Christ that Epaphras was as much a prison to serve
Jesus as Paul was).
d. I think the latter is more probable for in Colossians,
Paul also referred to Marcus and Aristarchus as his
fellowprisoners, although the verse itself made it
clear that they could leave and travel when they
desired.
Col 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth
you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas,
(touching whom ye received commandments: if he
come unto you, receive him;)
2. \\#24\\ Marcus - Mark.
a. We assume the same Mark that wrote the gospel and left
Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey
\\#Acts 12:25\\.
b. Most consider that 2Timothy was the last book that
Paul wrote. If so, Paul must have sent Mark on an
errand between the writing for Colossians and
2Timothy (thought by some to be approximately 4
years a part) for in 2Timothy, Paul asked Timothy to
bring Mark to him again.
2Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark,
and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to
me for the ministry.
3. Aristarchus - Mentioned five times in the New Testament.
Aristarchus joined Paul from Thessalonica \\#Acts 20:4\\.
4. Demas
a. Is mentioned three times in the New Testament.
b. During the estimated four years between Paul writing
Colossians and 2Timothy, Demas forsook the Lord for
the world.
2Ti 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having
loved this present world, and is departed unto
Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto
Dalmatia.
c. Yet on this day, Demas was with Paul and serving the
Lord.
5. Lucas - Luke - Luke was Paul’s traveling companion and
scribe. He wrote one of the gospels and penned the Book
of Acts. He will stay faithful to the Lord and serve
with Paul.
C. \\#25\\ Paul closed with a desire that the grace of
\\#Phm 1:3\\ might continue to abide on them.
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