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PHILEMON.000
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PHILEMON
~~~~~~~~
A companion epistle to Colossians and Ephesians. Sent at the same time
by Tychicus and Onesimus. cf. Col. 4:8-9 with Philemon 10-12. Paul sent
Onesimus with Tychicus to Colosse.
Onesimus was "one of you," i.e. one of the Colossians. (Col. 4:9)
Philemon, his master, was therefore of Colosse.
Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who had run away from Colosse to Rome.
There he was converted under Paul's ministry. v. 10-12
Paul wished to keep him at Rome for the work of the Gospel, as his
helper.
Philemon 13.
However he induced Onesimus to return to his master. Paul wrote this
letter for him to take to Philemon, purposing to effect reconciliation.
Paul's Problem:
1. To save the fugitive from the harsh punishment according to Roman Law.
It could be death even by crucifixion.
2. To reconcile Philemon and yet not disgrace Onesimus, nor yet condone
his crime. This letter shows the true attitude of Christians in social
reform. Changes should be wrought by the transforming power of Christ
in individual hearts...Not enforced reform.
The Message:
Christ's love, forgiveness and courtesy in Christians.
The Key Word:
RECEIVE (verses 12, 15, 17)
This letter gives us a deep insight into the heart of the Apostle Paul.
It abounds in gentleness, humility, and courteousness.
It shows the triumph of Grace in the most difficult problems of human
life.
1. Salutation. v. 1-3
v. 1-2 Paul a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
Not as an apostle, nor as a superior and older worker, nor yet as a
spiritual father. Not authoritatively but rather in humility as
friend to friend and Timothy our brother.
1. Philemon - - Onesimus' master.
our dearly beloved and fellow labourer.
Evidently a worker and helper in the assembly at Colosse. A
person of some wealth and social standing.
2. Apphia - - Onesimus' mistress.
Beloved (sister) thought to be the wife of Philemon.
3. Archipus - - pastor of the assembly in Colosse or a minister
labouring there.
Note. Col. 4:17 Our fellow-soldier
4. The church in thy house.
The assembly gathered in Philemon's house which was no doubt
spacious and suitable.
Thus this was a personal letter from Paul to Philemon and his wife,
Apphia, to the pastor of the assembly, and then to the assembly, concerning
an individual Christian, Onesimus.
This shows the wisdom of first dealing with those directly concerned.
No mention was made of this in Col. 4:9 in the letter addressed to the whole
church. Onesimus is only spoken of as a faithful and beloved brother, one of
them, sent by Paul with Tychicus to relate what had happened in Rome.
verses 4, 6 --- Paul's prayer for Philemon.
2. The Character of Philemon. v. 4-7
v. 4, 6 - - Paul's prayer for him. Philemon means affectionate or
beloved. "That the communication (imparting, sharing) of thy faith may
become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in
you in Christ Jesus." A faith which worketh by love. 1 Cor. 13 in
operation. A life abounding in good works to the glory of Christ.
Thus Paul paves the way for his request for Onesimus by his praise of
Philemon, (Cf. Jesus in Rev. 2.3 to the seven churches.)
This present circumstance afforded an opportunity for further
manifestation of the grace of Christ in Philemon. Apparently this was in
Paul's mind as he uttered this prayer. No doubt he spent much time in
prayer over this affair and over writing this letter. Therefore prayer
is essential and fundamental in our social life.
Love and Faith toward the Lord Jesus (God) and unto all saints.(man)
v. 5,7.
3. Paul's Intercession for Onesimus. v. 8-21
a. v. 8 Wherefore--based upon v. 4-7--that is what Philemon is in
Christ.
b. v. 8b Paul would not command or order Philemon, although as his
spiritual father and an apostle in Christ he might.
c. v. 9a But rather in love he besought (entreated, exhorted, or
appealed to) Philemon.
d. v. 9b He placed his request, not upon the authority of his
apostleship but rather as "Paul the aged, now also a prisoner
of Jesus Christ," (A sympathetic appeal)
e. v. 10 For his spiritual son ... Onesimus. Converted while Paul was
imprisoned in Rome. In the original Onesimus is the very
last word Paul wrote in this verse.
f. v. 11 Onesimus means profitable (helpful, useful) but he had become
very unprofitable to Philemon. He had run away and perhaps
had stolen from Philemon. Cf. v. 19
Now profitable to Philemon and to Paul. Note the
transforming power of Christ ... the "unprofitable" by the
miracle of regeneration becomes "Profitable."
g. v. 12 Paul sent him - asks Philemon to receive him as Paul's very
own. His very own heart.
h. v. 13-14 He was a great help to Paul but Paul wanted this service not
as forcing Philemon to allow it, but as voluntary from
Philemon. Onesimus was still Philemon's lawful slave,
subject to his will and to any charges he might bring against
him.
i. v. 15 Paul saw God's hand in it all. Providence rules over all.
Receive him forever - eternal bonds - as brothers in Christ
Jesus. (departed-a nice way to put it, for a season-
literally for an hour,)
j. v. 16 Onesimus returned to Philemon more than a slave- a brother
in Christ, beloved especially to Paul but even more so to
Philemon in both the flesh and in the Lord.
k. v. 17 Upon the basis of fellowship in Christ between Paul and
Philemon, Paul requested that Onesimus be received as
Philemon would have received Paul.
l. v. 18-19 Paul assumed responsibility for Onesimus. "put that to my
account." The Spirit of Christ shows forth in Paul.
m. v. 20 Philemon's fulfilling of Paul's request will give Paul joy of
him in the Lord, refreshing his heart. (The word joy is
literally profit.)
n. v. 21 Paul's faith in him to more than fulfil his request.
4. Salutations and Benediction. v. 22-25
Paul announces his coming visit. He trusts for acquittal through
prayer,
Epaphras ... Note Col. 1:7; 4:12,13 Paul's fellow prisoner in Christ.
"The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If our Lord Jesus Christ was gracious to us, we must be to others.
It was through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in Philemon's spirit
that he was to forgive and receive Onesimus.
Onesimus in the Apostolical Canons is said to have been emancipated by
his master.
The Apostolical Constitutions state that he was consecrated by Paul,
Bishop of Bera, in Macedonia, and that he was martyred at Rome.
Ignatius speaks of him as Bishop of Ephesians.
Tradition says that both Philemon and Onesimus suffered martyrdom in
Rome.
TYPES IN PHILEMON
"We are all the Lord's Onesimi".... Luther
Type Fulfillment
1. Philemon The Superior God as Father
(Controller)
2. Onesimus--Philemon's Man--God,s property
property The Sinner
- Robbed (Criminal) Robbed God
- Ran away Ran away from God
- Unprofitable Unprofitable to God
3. Death--Condemnation The sentence Death--condemned by
by the law condemnation the law
4.Paul--Mediator The Saviour Christ--the Mediator
Brought the message (Christ) Brought the message
Interceded for Onesimus Intercedes for us
"Receive" Onesimus Receives us
All put to Christ's
"Put all to my account" account
In Paul, Onesimus was shielded In Christ we are shield
5.Reconciled The Saint Reconciled
Received forever (Christian) Received forever
Profitable Profitable
A servant (as part of A servant (as part of
Philemon's body) Christ's body)
A brother A brother