1. Introduction
a.
Prison epistle – written in Rome
i.
Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians
b.
Date: around 60, with Ephesians. Mark also had written
around 60
c.
Political environment
i.
Jewish persecution of Church (33-64)
ii.
Nero’s reign (54-68)
1. Eusebius
attributed Paul’s death to Nero (also Peter)
2. The
letter’s structure
a.
Greeting/addressed recipients
b.
Thanksgiving
c.
Addressing issue
d.
Closing
3. Paul
introduced himself and addressed the letter (vv. 1-2)
a.
Remember to think of this as a personal letter between
friends and brothers in Christ.
b.
Paul & Timothy
i.
Dictated to Timothy; could have delivered it
ii.
From both of them in concert
c.
To Philemon & Apphia & Archippus
i.
Apphia is Philemon’s wife (Calvin)
ii.
Fellow soldier—a title belonging particularly to
ministers (Col. 4:17, another mention) – son?
iii.
Church in Philemon’s house
4. A
typical greeting
a.
Rom.
i.
“Grace to you and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
ii.
Calvin actually preferred the translation: “joy and consolation”
5. Paul
expressed thanks
a.
Paul’s prayer is that their faith will produce
forgiveness (v. 6) “sharing” =
fellowship
b.
Philemon’s household exhibited love toward neighbors
and faith in Jesus Christ (v.7)
c.
Philemon’s household “refreshed” the hearts of the saints
(v. 7)
i.
Christ’s benefits have been faithfully preached to them
1. This,
in turn, gave Paul joy and comfort; encouraged to see disciples generated
6. All
of the intro, greeting and expression of thanks preface Paul’s command
7. Vv.
8-16
a.
Context
i.
Paul in Roman prison for the gospel/Prisoner of Christ
and an old man.
ii.
Onesimus is Paul’s son in the faith.
iii.
Onesimus was Philemon’s slave who ran away/useful to
Paul after being saved.
1. “Onesimus” means profitable.
iv.
Paul asked Philemon to receive Onesimus.
b.
Vv. 8-9 Paul says he’s able to command but he “appeals”
instead.
i.
Why does Paul have such authority?
1. Cringe
at Paul’s right to command.
a.
Paul pointed out authority he wouldn’t
exercise—results:
i. Extended
mercy
ii. maintained
seriousness of obedience
2. In
individualistic democracy, no context for Kings and commands.
ii.
What is it that is required?
1. v.
17 “…receive him as you would receive me.”
iii.
Why wouldn’t he just command Philemon to take Onesimus
back?
1. “…for love’s sake…” Calvin says,
“Philemon’s love”.
2. The
tone of the letter is gentle tactfulness.
c.
Vv. 10-14
i.
Paul deeply appreciated Onesimus’ company/service.
ii.
Onesimus is sent back with Paul’s very heart.
iii.
Desire for Onesimus to stay = declaration of his
usefulness.
d.
Vv. 15-16
1. Paul
expected freedom—v. 22
2. v.
15 “…have him back forever.”
ii.
v. 15 Paul appealed to the sovereign work of God
through the sinful acts of men.
1. Contending
for Onesimus, Paul said, “…parted from
you…” instead of “ran away”.
iii.
Added variable in the master/slave
relationship—Onesimus is Philemon’s brother eternally.
1. “…especially to me…” or, immensely, intensely, exceedingly.
“Elative sense”.
2. “…both in the flesh and in the Lord.”—as regards
Onesimus’ relationship to Philemon
a.
“…in
the flesh…”
i. Master:
slave = father: son
ii. Fellow
Colossian
iii. In
the affairs of this world in contrast to the affairs of the eternal world
b.
“…in the Lord.” is obviously as a fellow member
of Christ’s body.
e.
Vv. 17-20
i.
v. 17 Here is the request – receive him as you would
receive your partner in Christ.
1. “koinonos”—sharer in the koinonia.
ii.
v. 18 Illustrates atonement.
1. Forgiveness
doesn’t mean that debt isn’t paid.
a.
A company “forgives your debt”—they pay the
price themselves.
b.
You forgive your neighbor—you absorb that
debt.
i. “You do not make the other person pay
the debt of emotional pain, but you pay it down yourself. When someone wrongs
you it creates an emotional debt of pain, it’s a debt that you feel.”—Tim
Keller
c.
Christ is punished and God forgives us —our
debts are actually paid.
i. Jesus
absorbed our debt. Asked His Father to forgive—I will pay for it (Luke 23:34).
iii.
v. 19 Paul asked Philemon to absorb Onesimus’ debt or
charge it to Paul’s account.
a.
Philemon shouldn’t charge it to Paul—Paul
appeals to Philemon’s debt (Matt. 18:21-35).
iv.
v. 20 Paul answers the objection Philemon might have
after reading v. 19.
1. Paul
desires benefit from Philemon, “…in the
Lord.”
a.
Philemon would refresh Paul’s heart by
receiving Onesimus.
i. Receiving
in v. 17 is—Philemon absorbing any debt incurred by Onesimus.
f.
Vv. 21-25
i.
v. 21 Paul began verse 8 with an appeal to obedience
and concludes with confidence.
ii.
v. Paul is confident that he would return to Colossae
iii.
vv. 23-24 List of companions.
1. Epaphras—fellow
prisoner (Col. 1:17).
2. Mark—the
cousin of Barnabus (Col. 4:10).
3. Aristarchus—(Col.
4. Demas—later
forsook Paul (2 Tim. 4:10).
5. Luke—the
doctor, the author of the Acts and a gospel account.
iv.
v. 25 Benediction
g.
Recap
i.
A personal letter from Paul to Philemon and his
household, but especially to Philemon.
ii.
Onesimus was Philemon’s slave who fled to Roman
1. Saved
under Paul’s ministry
2. Made
useful again, to Philemon and for the first time to Paul.
iii.
Paul appealed to Philemon’s love for the saints
1. Onesimus
is now counted among saints, so “receive him as you would receive me.”
2. Paul
is confident of Philemon’s forgiveness/mercy. Philemon experienced God’s mercy.
iv.
Paul hoped to see Philemon again and sent greetings
from his fellow workers.
h.
Questions:
i.
What would you say this letter is about? One or two
words.
ii.
How does it challenge us?
iii.
Is there any “Good News” in it?
