Philemon 1
GannPhilemon 1:1
Philemon 1:1 [See topic notes on “Walking Thru The Bible” for an introduction and outline on Philemon.]
Date: Roman imprisonment AD 60-62
An example of Paul’s personal correspondence. Brevity - tact - diplomacy - sensitivity - & human (v.11, v.20) Paul, Christians and slavery, see p. 11-12 Living Word Commentary. a) Increasingly intolerable b) Increasingly strained, psychologicall, socially, & theologically. c) One of earliest expressions of Christian benevolence was the use of funds to purchase freedom of slaves. 1Clement 55:2; Hermas, Mandates 8:10; Ignatius, To Polycarp 4.
See the Bible Textbook Series by Don DeWelt.
Four Things We Need to be What Paul Was1) Prisoner - v.1 2) Prayer - v.4 3) Partner - 4) Payers - v. 19
Philemon Outline1 - 3 Paul to Philemon - Greeting 4 - 7 Praise of Philemon 8 -17 Plea to Philemon 18-21 Pledge to Philemon 22-25 Personal matters
Lesson Summary1. Honorableness - Romans 12:17, 2 Corinthians 8:202. Restitution 3. Providence – Esther 4:144. Slavery 5. Philemon as a wonderful example a. Christian stewardship b. Concerned for Christ & the gospel c. Brotherly love and Faith 6. An Advocate - 1 John 2:1-27. Reconciliation – Repentance - forgiveness - Acts 17:308. Account Paid - Philemon 1:15, Philemon 1:19 (Ours paid by the Lord)
Paul a prisoner .. cf. vs 1, 9, 10, 13, 22, 23
- He had converted Onesimus - v.10
- Philemon, also a friend and convert - v.10
- Onesimus - met Paul by chance, or intentionally sought him out. a. “Runaway” or had he abandoned some special mission for his master b. Sent back acompanied by Tychicus (Colossians 4:7-9)
- Purpose:
Paul a prisoner .. probably real and symbolic. (Why absence of “apostle” title?)
Philemon .. Known only in this letter.
Fellowlabourer .. with Paul at some earlier time - or in the Colossian church now.
Philemon 1:2
Philemon 1:2 Apphia .. only here, wife or sister. Archippus .. preacher at Colosse, probably Philemon’s son. Colossians 4:17 Fellowsoldier .. Philippians 2:25 Church .. Letter also intended to be read by the church. Thy house .. singular, that of Archippus. HOMES were used as meeting places, Colossians 4:15, Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, (see Acts 12:12, Acts 2:46) – The Hall of Tyrannus - Acts 19:9.
Philemon 1:3
Philemon 1:4
Philemon 1:4 Thank God .. Customary with Paul in opening his corespondence.
Philemon 1:5
Philemon 1:5 Hearing .. Cause of his thanksgiving. *No one had born bad tales of Philemon.
Love .. the foundation of his requests - v.9 Philemon 1:91) Love & Faith to Lord 2) Love & Faith to Saints
Philemon 1:6
Philemon 1:6 Paul’s prayer coninued:
Communication .. sharing, koinonia [See LW of many ways this word is used, p. 16)
Become effectual .. RSV “may promoe the knowledge..”
Philemon 1:7
Philemon 1:7 Great joy .. motive of his thankgiving.
Bowels .. Lit “entrails” (Acts 1:18) Fig. designation “seat of emotions”
Refreshed .. rest (Matthew 11:28 effect of Jesus’ ministry), refers to inner man, 1 Corinthians 16:18
Philemon 1:8
Philemon 1:8 Enjoin .. command Convenient .. “fitting” NKJV
Philemon 1:9
Philemon 1:10
Philemon 1:11
Philemon 1:11 Unprofitable .. profiable .. a play on Onesimus’s name “useful” or “profitable.” Paul saying that he is now ready to live up to his name.
Philemon 1:12
Philemon 1:12 Bowels .. see v. 7 Philemon 1:7
Philemon 1:13
Philemon 1:14
Philemon 1:14 Do nothing .. v.14 i.e, as keeping Onesimus.
Philemon 1:15
Philemon 1:15 Departed .. RSV “was departed” His departure probably worked hardship.
For ever .. for good.
Philemon 1:16
Philemon 1:16 Brother beloved .. Recive him as a brother to me.
The flesh .. in everyday affairs
Philemon 1:17
Philemon 1:17 Partner .. commercial and legal word also.
Philemon 1:18
Philemon 1:18 Wronged .. see Colossians 3:25, occasioned by one?
Mine account .. Language of commerce; Another hint. It was customary for a new owener to take on whatever debts were involved with a slave.
Philemon 1:19
Philemon 1:19 v. 19 seems to be the nature of an I.O.U. It shows the imporance and personal concern for Paul to personally write this himself (without a scribe. [This verse only?])
Thine own self .. Refers to Philemon’s own conversion.
Philemon 1:20
Philemon 1:20 Joy .. “Joy” same root word as “profit” = Onesimus. Paul’s play again on words.
In the Lord .. as a Christian.
Refresh .. as you (Philemon) have refreshed others, v. 7 Philemon 1:7. Paul asking Philemon to live up to his reputation.
Philemon 1:21
Philemon 1:21 I .. vs. 19-20 ἐγώ emphatic “I” used 3 times, Paul emphasizes that he, and not Onesimus is writing this.
Philemon 1:22
Philemon 1:22 Literally?
Given .. May indicate the working of God, or court officials.
Philemon 1:23
Philemon 1:23 Epaphras .. a Colossean, Colossians 1:7, Colossians 4:12.
Fellowprisoner .. Literally? or figurative in the Lord.
Philemon 1:24
Philemon 1:24 Aristarchus .. of Macedonia
Demas, Lucas .. both Gentiles
Closing Notes and Some LESSONS:What was the motive that prompted Paul to send Onesimus back? v. 12-16.
Philemon: An Appeal For a BrotherThe Appeal: vs 4-21 (organized as perscribe by Roman and Greek teachers) v. 4-10 Building the rapport v. 11-19 Persuading the mind v. 20-22 Moving the emotion
- v. 10 - name of Onesimus not mentioned til end of rapport. The appeal not sated til near the end of section to persuade the mind, v. 17.
Introduction v. 1-3 Closing v. 22-25
LESSONS1. The blessings and fruit of a Christian family, v.1-2 2. Glorify God with our lives, v.5-7 3. Ungodly men are unprofitable to themselves and to others, v.11 4. Lay us treasures in Heave, v.15 5. The brotherhood of all Christians, v.16 6. Love’s motive is powerful, v. 9-10 7. The diplomacy of requesting rather than commanding sometime wise to forgo the exercise of authority, v. 8. The followship that ties, v. 17 9. How to handle your brother, 10. Do things out of love rather than constraints. 11. Standing by (or for) a new brother