How We Treat One Another

Big Idea

Tension: How does Paul further his appeal to Philemon?

Resolution: by leveraging their gospel-mirroring relationship for the good of Onesimus.

Exegetical Idea: Paul furthers his appeal to Philemon by by leveraging their gospel-mirroring relationship for the good of Onesimus.

Theological Idea: All that God has done for us in Christ inevitably shapes all that we do for others.

Homiletical Idea: If we have truly received fellowship with Christ, we must extend that same fellowship to others.

Outline

Intro: Imagine the old man Onesimus....

What is going on in this passage

A peroratio - This part of the letter is called, in ancient rhetorical terms, a peroratio. And basically, the function of a “peroratio” is to make an emotional appeal based on what has already been said. So Quintillian, an ancient writer says, that in the peroratio, “we must let loose the whole torrent of our eloquence. For if we have spoken well in the rest of the speech, we shall now have the judges on our side, and shall be in position, now that we have emerged from the reefs and shoals, to spread out all our sail.”

Philemon’s Fellowship with Christ

“In Christ/in the Lord” (vs. 8, 16, 20)

This is the “fellowship of faith” (vs. 6) that is ours for the sake of Christ (1 John 1:1-5)

That Paul would be “granted” - i.e. forgiveness (22)

Christ has “welcomed” him (Rom 15:7)

Through Christ, Philemon is a “brother” (vs. 20)

God listens to Philemon’s prayers (vs. 22)

Philemon’s Fellowship with Paul

In these verses, Paul is disproportionately using his personal pronouns. Notice how many times Paul mentions himself in these verses. We can imagine Paul is allowing himself to be carried away a bit by his writing.

If I am your “partner” - i.e. Paul and Philemon have a fellowship both in the gospel and in the work of the ministry. (vs. 17)

Philemon “owes Paul” because through Paul’s ministry, Philemon came to the Lord. Paul does not himself intend to demand from Philemon what Philemon owes. Because Philemon could never pay this back.

Paul wants his heart to be refreshed (vs. 20), just as Philemon is accustomed to doing for others (7).

Paul believes that he will be “restored” to Philemon (vs. 20) through his prayers. We can see here that Paul is using htis word to remind Philemon of his forgiveness from God, so they can have a restored fellowhsip.

Paul has confidence and trust in Philemon (vs. 21)

Philemon will obey and respect Paul’s words (vs. 21)

Paul asks for Philemon to be hospitable (vs. 22)

Their relationship is not one of keeping tabs on one another. Their relationship is not one of getting even. It’s not one of keeping up to date on how much one owes another. Pual and Philemon both love each other and experience a deep fellowship that comes from Christ alone. (1 Cor 11:1)

Paul’s deepest point is this: he and Philemon have the great blessing of mirroring God’s generosity and gospel towards one another. And Paul says, if you’re going to do that with me, you also have to do that with Philemon. (James 2:1)

Philemon’s Fellowship with Onesimus

Paul wants him to extend the fellowship they share with each other to Onesimus. Paul will not allow Philemon to play favorites.

Paul instructs him to welcome in Onesimus (17) as he would be

Paul acknowledges that Onesimus has wronged Philemon and owes him, and even offers to pay it back if he needs to, but it is clear that Paul expects Philemon to forgive because he’s been forgiven. he expects him to look at his transformed heart and not hold his sin against him. Just as Christ absorbed the debt, so Paul expects Philemon to absorb the debt.

Paul is being a peacemaker (Rom 14:9; Col 3:14; Heb 12:14; Matt 5:19)

Philemon can benefit Paul by releasing Onesimus. Onesimus becomes the means of Paul’s and Onesimus’ fellowship with one another. Paul wants some “benefit” (i.e.), play on words of Onesimus’ name., from Philemon.

Applications:

The key to fellowship is Christ.

To be saved, our debts must be forgiven.

Yet, salvation is much deeper than forgiveness. It means to be in Christ and to have Christ in us. It means to “be found in Christ”, to be “crucified with Christ”. If you are saved, you have fellowship with Christ.

If you are saved, you’ve been adopted into the family of God. You can pray to the Lord. God will hear your prayers.

If you have fellowship with Christ, you must have fellowship with other Christians.

This Christian fellowship particularly works its way our in welcoming others into our homes.

If you’ve been forgiven of your debts, you should forgive others of your debts.

Christians are called to make peace, not sow discord.

This means we need to acknowledge legitimate hurts that others have received.

Dont withhold restoration.

We need to sniff out the insidious snare of favoritism and partiality in the church.

Conclusion: The historical end of Onesimus.