The Prison Epistles A Study of the Letters

The Prison Epistles A Study of the Letters Paul Wrote While Imprisoned in Rome Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, & Philemon

Introduction to Philemon • Philemon had a servant named Onesimus. • Onesimus was unprofitable to Philemon – and ran away. – Phm 1: 11 “in time past was to thee unprofitable” – Interestingly, Onesimus’ name meant “profitable” or “useful. ”

Introduction to Philemon Outline: • Salutation (1 -3) • Note of Philemon’s faith and love (4 -7) • Paul’s appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus (8 -22) • Final greetings (23 -25)

Philemon 1 -3 • Paul and Timothy to Philemon, Apphia, Achippus and to the church. – Possible that Philemon and Apphia were husband wife, Achippus is their child. Church in their house. • Though each of these were addressed, Philemon seems to be the principle addressee. • Grace and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus.

Philemon 4 -7 • Paul specifically thanked God for Philemon in prayer on a regular basis because of Philemon’s love for the saints and faith toward Jesus. • Paul prayed for a lot of people! • He prayed that Philemon would come to have a complete knowledge of every blessing (good thing) we have in Christ. Philip. 1: 9; Col. 1: 9. • Paul had much joy and comfort in Philemon’s • Philemon had a good reputation!

Philemon 8 -16 • As a result of Philemon’s faith, Paul was confident that he could address this matter and give him instruction concerning it. But instead he appealed to him on the basis of love. – A good motivation for all of us. Don’t just forgive a person because it is required, forgive them on the basis of your love for them. • Paul describes himself as “aged”. Some authorities guess him to be approximately 60. Not old by modern standards, but may have been by theirs. Also, Paul had experienced many hardships which would have aged him.

Philemon 8 -16 • Paul specifically appeals on behalf of Onesimus. – Paul’s spiritual “child”. He had begotten“converted” him while imprisoned in Rome. • Onesimus was formerly useless. – Onesimus meant “profitable” or “useful”. Therefore, there is a play on words. He had been “unprofitable” to Philemon. He had definitely been of no profit while a runaway and may have been while with Philemon. – Now he will be “useful” to both Philemon and Paul.

Philemon 8 -16 • Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon. – My very heart. Paul had developed a strong emotional bond with Onesimus. – Paul wanted to keep Onesimus with him, to assist him during his imprisonment. • But Paul did not want to do anything without Philemon’s consent. – He wanted Philemon to exercise his own free will in dealing with Onesimus. – It’s possible that Paul hoped Philemon might send Onesimus back to him.

Philemon 8 -16 • Paul suggests that the reason Onesimus’ was separated was so that he could “have him back forever”. – Now both Onesimus and Philemon could both have eternal life. – God can providentially use events, decisions that people make for His own purposes. (Gen. 45: 5). • But now Philemon had the opportunity to regain Onesimus, not merely as a slave, but as a brother.

Philemon 17 -21 • Paul wanted Philemon to accept Onesimus as he would himself. – Philemon would likely have to overcome feelings of anger toward Onesimus. • Paul offered to take responsibility for any wrong or debts that Onesimus owed Philemon. • Paul was confident in Philemon’s obedience. – Forgiveness of others is a necessary part of our obedience. (Matt. 6: 14 -15) – He expected Philemon to do even more.

Philemon 22 -25 • Concluding remarks. – Paul hoped to come to see Philemon and asked him to get a place ready for him to lodge. – Epaphrus, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke were all with him. • Note that Ephesians and Colossians both deal with slaves and masters. – Indentured servitude was very common during this time. There was a need to give instructions. • Remember the parallels between Slaves/Masters and Employer/Employee relationships.