Philemon
July 1, 2017
Philemon
Shawn Bumpers / General; Kids; Youth Group
Introduction
This letter from Paul to Philemon was composed and delivered in 63 AD, the same year that Paul was released from his first stint in prison.
In that same year, Paul wrote his letters to the Colossians, Ephesians, and a letter to the church in Philippi.
Acts 19:20 NKJV
So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Copies of Paul’s letter to the Galatians had reached Jerusalem at this time.
In that letter Paul was critical of those who tried to place the law on the backs of believers who were saved by grace.
That being said, it wasn’t only the Sicarii that were a threat to Paul.
But Paul hoped to be able to preserve the fragile unity between the Jewish and the Gentile churches by his visit.
Rome became an Empire when Augustus Caesar became the first emperor of Rome in 31 BC.
Of course, the Roman Republic began back in the first century BC.
In 62 AD, James, the brother of Jesus was put to death by the ruling religious leaders in Jerusalem.
Josephus gives an account of his martyrdom saying that he was stoned to death.
In 63 AD, Nero began planning for a great new palace with a thousand acre garden.
Also in 63 AD, the Temple of Herod the Great was finally completed.
And in 63 AD, the Jews appealed to Nero not to allow Gentiles to control Caesarea.
And in 63 AD, Philemon of Colossae had a slave named Onesimus.
The letter to Philemon is remarkable for several reasons.
Philemon 16–17 NKJV
no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
Galatians 3:28 NKJV
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:13 NKJV
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
v1-3
Philemon was living in Colossae.
Colossae was located about 100 miles east of Ephesus.
That certain man wasn’t Paul … as we know, Paul did not found the church in Colossae.
He also had not visited the church there.
Colossians 1:4 NKJV
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;
Colossians 4:17 NKJV
And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
Paul styles himself, “A prisoner of Jesus Christ.”
In many of his letters he begins by reminding the reader of his Apostleship.
Hint, hint, Philemon … if I am willing to wear chains to be a testimony of Christ, how about you be willing to forgive to be a testimony of Christ.
Philemon 19 NKJV
I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.
Philemon 7 NKJV
For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
Galatians 6:10 NKJV
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
The Doctrine of Hospitality.
Hospitality is the practice of being friendly, kind, and attentive to guests.
1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
Titus 1:8 NKJV
but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
1 Peter 4:9 NKJV
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
Romans 12:13 NKJV
distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Hebrews 13:2 NKJV
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
These instances use the Greek word φιλόξενος philoxenos (philoxenia) meaning “brotherly love to strangers.”
Ephesians 2:10 NKJV
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:13 NKJV
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Paul’s introduction also spoke to the deep love he had for his friends.
And he includes Philemon in that list of friends.
v4-7
It was customary for Paul to open his letters with words of thanks and praise to God.
In his thanksgiving, Paul described his friend as a man of love and faith, both toward Jesus Christ and God’s people.
Sharing here is the Greek word κοινωνία koinōnia, which can mean “sharing in,” “fellowship,” and “act of sharing.”
v8-16
Could have demanded what he wanted from Philemon.
But made his request in humility.
Ephesians 6:20 NKJV
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, is with him in Rome.
AND, he has received Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 6:1–2 NKJV
Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
Between 50 and 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire.
Most slaves were laborers.
1 Corinthians 7:21 NKJV
Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.
So, verse 9 says that Paul appealed to Philemon on the basis of love.
Also, Philemon had a reputation as a man who brought blessing to others.
Along with Philemon’s gracious character and Christian love, Paul next brought up the conversion of Onesimus in verse 10.
Galatians 3:28 NKJV
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And Paul speculates that perhaps Onesimus departed lost so that he could come back saved.
v17
“partner” is κοινωνός koinōnos, which means “sharer.”
So Paul is continuing his thought from before … ‘Receive him as you would me’.
v18-20
This is to me an illustration of what Jesus Christ has done for us as believers.
God’s people are so identified with Jesus Christ that God receives them as He receives His Son!
Ephesians 1:6 NKJV
to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The word receive in Philemon 17 is προσλαμβάνω proslambanō and means “to accept into one’s family circle.”
Romans 5:6–8 NKJV
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Notice that Paul did not suggest that Philemon ignore the slave’s crimes and forget about the debt Onesimus owed.
Instead, Paul offered to pay the debt himself.
Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
God is holy.
And in His holiness He could not ignore the debt that we owe.
Galatians 3:26–27 NKJV
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
v21-22
Could it could be that in verse 21 Paul is hinting that Philemon should do even more and grant Onesimus his freedom?
v23-25
As we have seen in so many of his letters, Paul closes with personal greetings.
Paul was expecting to be released and when when he was he would visit Philemon and Apphia in Colossae.
Colossians 4:10 NKJV
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
Finally, we have Paul’s benediction to close the letter.
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