Philemon

• Only preserved private letter of Paul

• Dated between 62-64 AD

• Paul is in chains (Phm. 1:10; Col. 4:18)

• Has some of the same characters:– Timothy (Phm. 1:1; Col. 1:1)– Epaphras, Mark,

Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke (Phm. 23, 24; Col. 4:10-14)

– Onesimus was one of the messengers (Col. 4:7-9)

The Man, Philemon

• Philemon was known for his generosity (v. 5).• More than likely he supported Paul as he is

noted as a fellow-laborer. • Philemon’s house was the church house. (Rom.

16:5; Col. 4:15).• Philemon’s family is mentioned, his wife Apphia

and Archippus his son.

Purpose of LetterPurpose of LetterTo initiate a positive relationship between a master To initiate a positive relationship between a master

and his run away slave.and his run away slave.

• The average price of a slave was 500 denarii. • The slave had no rights.

• The testimony of a slave could not be accepted in a court of law unless the slave was tortured.

• Pollio, in the time of Augustus, ordered a slave to be thrown into a pond of voracious lampreys. Augustus interfered, but afterward ordered a slave of his own to be crucified on the mast of a ship for eating a favorite quail. Juvenal describes a profligate woman ordering a slave to be crucified stating, “it was her pleasure.” Martial records an instance of a master cutting out a slave's tongue.

Purpose of LetterPurpose of Letter• The old Roman legislation imposed death for killing a

plough-ox; but the murderer of a slave was not called to account. Tracking fugitive slaves was a trade. Recovered Recovered slaves were branded on the forehead, condemned to slaves were branded on the forehead, condemned to double labordouble labor, and sometimes thrown to the beasts in the amphitheater.

• The slave population was enormous. According to Herodotus, slaves numbered 7 to 1 to the free manslaves numbered 7 to 1 to the free man. Some proprietors had as many as twenty thousand.

• Just think, Onesimus had to hand deliver this letter to Just think, Onesimus had to hand deliver this letter to his master. How terrified he must have been and yet, his master. How terrified he must have been and yet, how fortunate he was to have someone as persuasive how fortunate he was to have someone as persuasive as Paul to defend his rights as a person free in Christ.as Paul to defend his rights as a person free in Christ.

Some General LessonsSome General Lessons • All Christians, regardless of their lot in life are on absolute

equality in Christ.• Christianity does not alter civil status or obligation. A slave does

not become free by baptism just as a murderer after baptism is obligated to suffer for his crime.

• Apostolic example bids us to seek out all men to be saved regardless their position in life.

• Restitution is a principle involved in repentance and love should prompt one to aid the offender.

• We should be willing to forgive those who wronged us especially those who seek it and wear the name of Christ.

• We all should be in the restoration business. Being a friend means seeking what is best in every situation.

• The saint is not excused from proclaiming the message while in chains, as a matter of fact, those who offend can become profitable again if properly approached.

• The ethics of one person can change the way business is done. Paul didn’t challenge the established order, he challenged the way we treat those who are obligated to us.

Living Lesson on ForgivenessLiving Lesson on Forgiveness

• Setting the Stage 1-3• Characteristics of Forgiveness 4-7• The actions of One who Forgives 8-18• The Motives of One Who Forgives 19-25

A Living Lesson on Forgiveness Setting The Stage: vs. 1-3Setting The Stage: vs. 1-3

• Paul begins his letter by reminding Philemon who he is – a slave of Christ.

• Paul discussed real slavery in Romans 6:15-23• For one to act as an ambassador (Phile. 1:9) he has to lay

all the facts out on the table. Paul set the stage by laying out that he was a slave and retrospectively, all who are in Christ Jesus are slaves including Philemon.

• May we ask this question, “In the first three verses, who is watching for Onesimus’ return?”

• Church can become like an employer/employee relationship – “well he’s gone – good riddance!” Everyone who has run away (for whatever reason) needs an ambassador so they may have opportunity to return to their rightful position.

A Living Lesson on Forgiveness

Characteristics of Forgiveness 4-7Characteristics of Forgiveness 4-7

Compassion Compassion Righteousness Righteousness EncouragementEncouragement


Characteristics of Forgiveness 4-7Characteristics of Forgiveness 4-7• What does, “being compassionate for Christ”

mean to you? • Being compassionate for Christ engages one

in the frequent practice of forgiveness (Matt. 6:12-15).


Characteristics of Forgiveness 4-7Characteristics of Forgiveness 4-7• Where does the act of forgiveness originate?

(Matt.18:35) • A heart of forgiveness can’t be formed unless

it is a lover of righteousness (Matt. 18:21ff).


Characteristics of Forgiveness 4-7Characteristics of Forgiveness 4-7• It takes an optimistic heart if one is known to be

an encourager (Acts 15:36-39). • Fools are quick to accuse, righteous people Fools are quick to accuse, righteous people

look beyond the offense and see what is look beyond the offense and see what is needed. The act of forgiveness is optimism needed. The act of forgiveness is optimism multiplied by 10.multiplied by 10.

• V. 6 Let’s note the phrase, “the sharing of your the sharing of your faith may become effectivefaith may become effective.”


The Actions of One Who Forgives 8-18The Actions of One Who Forgives 8-18• Receive himReceive him – as you would receive me (v. 12, 17)

No one is expendable in the church. No one is free No one is expendable in the church. No one is free from sin (Rom. 3:23). Everyone deserves a place from sin (Rom. 3:23). Everyone deserves a place who will receive them as ‘justified.’ We need to stick who will receive them as ‘justified.’ We need to stick by one another as the world sticks by its own.by one another as the world sticks by its own.

Receive the doctrinally weak (Rom. 14:1); Receive Receive the doctrinally weak (Rom. 14:1); Receive one as a fellow labourer (2 Cor. 6:1); as forgiven (1 one as a fellow labourer (2 Cor. 6:1); as forgiven (1 Cor. 5 see 2 Cor. 7:7-12; Rom. 15:5).Cor. 5 see 2 Cor. 7:7-12; Rom. 15:5).

• Believe himBelieve him – he has changed and is sorry (v. 10, 15)

No one needs to sit in a “trial box” before true acceptance is No one needs to sit in a “trial box” before true acceptance is extended (Every Christian needs a Barnabas Acts 9:26ff).extended (Every Christian needs a Barnabas Acts 9:26ff).


The Actions of One Who Forgives 8-18The Actions of One Who Forgives 8-18


The Actions of One Who Forgives 8-18The Actions of One Who Forgives 8-18

• Trust himTrust him – put him to work (11, 16)

Take that renewed commitment and put them in the master’s field (Again Barnabas serves as example (Acts 15:36ff).

A Living Lesson on ForgivenessThe Motives of One Who Forgives 19-25The Motives of One Who Forgives 19-25• Forgiveness is a promise, a promise never to

take revenge. Certainly forgiveness is bold. Certainly forgiveness is brave. Certainly

forgiveness is heroic. But at the same time it should be NORMALNORMAL for a humble Christian.

• The recognition that I owe a debt I can’t payI owe a debt I can’t pay.. Paul took up the pen and wrote a personal IOU to Philemon. Onesimus owes Philemon a material debt. Philemon owes Paul a spiritual debt.Philemon owes Paul a spiritual debt.

A Living Lesson on ForgivenessThe Motives of One Who Forgives 19-25The Motives of One Who Forgives 19-25

• The recognition that I can become a I can become a blessing to others.blessing to others.

• Paul is making a play on words for the very name of Onesimus, means beneficial or useful.

• Is the church benefited, is the gospel more readily received when people exercise the blessing of forgiveness?


• The recognition that I am called to I am called to be obedient to the Lord (v. 21).be obedient to the Lord (v. 21).

• Forgiveness is not a suggestion it is a command. To withhold this act of grace is demonic on our behalf.


The recognition that I I am accountable to godly leaders.am accountable to godly leaders.

• How can an eldership operate successfully with a hate mongering, unforgiving body?

• Christians are under charge to obey those that have our back (Heb. 13:7).

Philemon

Spiritual

Transcript of Philemon