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PhilemonIntroduction:
I. Against the law to read a personal letter without the
consent. The Bible has one on record – from Paul to
Philemon; only of its kind.
II. In Roman occupation, world divided almost evenly
between masters and slaves. 60 million slaves
estimated in the first Century.
A. In order to avoid revolt, they were forbidden to
have any outward indications that they were slaves.
B. Roman law provided few rights for slaves. E.g.:
1. Masters would crucify them by the thousands;
30,000 during Ag. Caesar’s reign alone!
2. Many had faces branded if caught stealing.
3. Returned runaways could be branded, worked to
death, or executed. But law did allow mercy if
friend of the master intercessed for the slave.
C. Such a situation occasioned the writing of the
letter to Philemon.
III. Philemon was a Christian of Colossae. His slave had
fled to Rome, come into contact with Paul and saved.
Sent back with this priceless letter.
IV. Use of tact and lessons learned are excellent!Body:
I. The Verses Examined:
A. Verse 1 – Paul – prisoner – Was in Roman jail
because of precious truth. Colossians 4:7-9 –
Written from prison – verse 3, 18.
B. Verse 2 – Apphia – thought to be the wife of
Philemon.
1. Archippus – probably the local preacher (maybe
Philemon’s son). Cf. Colossians 4:17
2. Church in your house – Probably a group of saints
who assembled at Philemon’s house. Cf. Romans
16:5.
C. Verse 3 – Grace – Letter concerns grace. Wants it
for Onesimus and for Philemon!
D. Verse 4 – Paul’s prayers were specific in nature,
not vague utterances. Easy to merely repeat
overworked phrases.
1. “Bless all the sick” – “Save all the lost” – why
not name some of them? Paul in prison praying
for others.
2. Question: How would you feel if Paul was praying
for you?
E. Verse 5 – Paul could have heard harmful gossip;
refreshing that good was told instead!
1. Commends his love and faith – toward Christ, then
men.
2. Cf. Matthew 22:36-39 – proper order.
3. Saints – Not special group of Christians with
more spiritualness.
a. “I’m no saint, but…” If not, then lost!!
b. Romans 1:7 – all members at Rome were saints!
F. Verse 6 – Communication – His Faith was of a
shareable type. What good is a faith that one does
not want to share?
1. Cf. James 2:14-17—Question: Are others benefited
because you are a Christian? How?
2. No value in faith that bears fruit only when
convenient.
G. Verse 7 – Consolation to Paul to know that men as
Philemon helped others. Cf. Timothy 1:16
H. Verses 8-9 – Because of this, though could use
apostolic authority, used loved instead. Would
rather desire than require of him.
1. Paul, the aged – prisoner—“rather beseech thee”
instead of commands.
2. verse 10 – In interest of another doesn’t
hesitate to beg—If he could lay aside apostolic
authority could not Philemon lay aside privilege
of slave owner?
3. “For my son” – Onesimus a slave. Christianity no
place for snobbery.
4. “Onesimus” – means useful, helpful or profitable.
5. “Begotten…”—Had been energetic; now old and
restrained by force. Anyone he converted would
be endearing to him.
I. Verse 11 – Did not rationalize or excuse wrong of
Onesimus.
1. But now shows he can be truly profitable. Had
become a Christian. 2 Timothy 2:21
2. One is always of more benefit to others as a
Christian.
J. Verse 12 – To receive Onesimus just as receiving
Paul himself.
K. Verse 13 – Would have liked to keep Onesimus but
legally he was a criminal.
1. Illustration – Philemon in Rome – would have
served Paul every way possible. Application –
“That in thy stead…”
2. Verse 14 – could not make up Philemon’s mind for
him.
a. Was illegal to harbor a criminal.
b. If slaves rebelled under guise of
Christianity, gospel would be discredited.
c. Decision to go back was Onesimus, who was now
a Christian.
d. To have kept him would have violated
Philemon’s rights.
3. “Not of necessity…” – People can be guided to do
things that they couldn’t ever forced to do.
Can’t force men to obey Christ. Cf. 2 Corinthians
9:7
L. Verses 15-16 – “Season” – “Forever” – Master and
Slave relationship could possible last as long as
death. Brotherhood in Christ is eternal.
1. They are now more than simply master and slave.
2. What at first seemed as calamity now viewed
differently.
M. Verses 17-19 – If Philemon accepted Paul, must now
accept Onesimus.
1. Possible that Onesimus robbed Philemon – slave
would have no way to repay the debt. Thus Paul
writes a promissory note.
2. Note: Paul had been responsible for Philemon’s
salvation. – Thus really owed Paul more than
could have been robbed! Matthew 16:25
N. Verses 20-21 – People often respond in proportion to
amount of confidence expressed in them.
O. Verses 22-25 – Begins and ends with grace.II. Lessons Learned from this letter.
A. Repentance implies restitution (making right one’s
wrongs).
1. Was true here, through Onesimus was not a
Christian when he sinned.
2. Verse 15 – may remain a slave the rest of his
life, yet goes back!
3. Colossians 3:22-25 – gave duties of slaves.
4. Verse 18 – May have stolen from him – must
restore it. Paul willing to do it for him. But
if all sins before one becomes a Christian are
forgiven, why the worry?
a. Illustration: Acts 2:38 – suppose one had
stolen a horse – could he truly repent – yet
keep him?
b. Illustration: Arguments on marriage, divorce
and remarriage.
5. Luke 19:8-9 – Zacchaeus
6. Note: Shows Onesimus was truly converted!
Imagine how hard to go back!
B. Being a Christian means one will forgive his
brother.
1. Colossians 3:12-14 – Written to Colossian church.
2. We all owe debts we can never pay.
a. Matthew 18:21-35
b. Onesimus had done his – now Philemon turn – to
forgive.
3. Question – What will you do when duty is to
forgive? What if one had stolen from you?
C. The tactfulness of Paul.
1. Tact: skill enabling one to say right word at the
right time without sacrifice of honesty or
candor.
2. There are various ways to influence people:
Power, reason, respect for elderly; empathy for
another’s circumstances.
3. Example of Paul’s tact – He did all he could to
ease Onesimus burden.
a. Sent Tychicus with him – Colossians 4:7-9.
b. Wrote a letter on forgiveness to church at
Colosse – Colossians 3:12-14. Also, wrote on
slave-master relations – Colossians 3:22-4:1.
c. Wrote a personal letter to Philemon. Referred
to Onesimus as “My son.”
d. Expected best results from Philemon.
(1) Didn’t begin by criticizing or demanding;
rather by praise – “dearly beloved” –
“fellow…” cf. verses 4-7.
(2) Was praying for him.
(3) Begged him (verse 10).
(4) Philemon owed Paul his very life (verse
19). Would still be lost if not for Paul.
(5) Note: Was not flattering, but revealing
prayer material.
4. Example of brethren today – try to change others
by slander, ridicule, etc.
a. Even if the doctrine is right, the attitude is
wrong!
b. Jonah 4:10-11
c. 1 Samuel 25:14-33 – Abigail
d. Acts 23:6-9 – Paul
e. Proverbs 1:4; 2:11; 11:22; 15:1, 28; 25:11.
5. Point: Not to use flattery (1 Thessalonians 2:5)
but is possible to rebuke without being rude. 1
Corinthians 13 – Kindness.(Based on an outline by Rick Duggin)
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