Philemon 8-25: The Plea of a Loving Partner

Intro:

Review from last week:

Outline:

Personal Plea: “I Appeal to You” (vs. 8-16)

Paying Partner: “Charge that to My Account” (vs. 17-20)

Preparation and Prayer: “f” (vs. 21-25)

Summary: Fully received, repaid, and refreshed

Illustration:

Prayer:

Personal Plea: “I Appeal to You” (vs. 8-16)

Appeal vs. Command (vs. 8-11)

Accordingly- therefore, connecting what had just been said. In light of the previous argument, this is how the application should look.

Though I am bold enough

in Christ-

to command you to do what is required- He could have done this as an Apostle

Yet

for love’s sake-

I appeal to you- “parakalw” pres, act, ind, 1st, sg, to exhort. There is a double emphasis here on “I”. Paul is making it very personal

I Paul- this is the third reference to himself being the one that is appealing.

and old man- 50-60 years old? In the position of authority and honour

and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus- Is Paul trying to manipulate here?

I appeal to you- “parakalw” pres, act, ind, 1st, sg to exhort, same as before. This adds a level of special force to the request.

for my child- another transition old man vs. child, but also think about it, Paul is getting to the age where he is not going to be around, he will not be able to advance the gospel. So he puts the light on someone else… He only uses this term of endearment for Timothy and Titus. And now he uses it on...

Onesimus- Paul doesn’t name him until almost halfway through the book! This would have been a hard pill for Philemon to swallow...”Really Paul, that guy!?”

whose father I became in my imprisonment- not biologically

Formerly he was useless to you- “axr-eh-ston” having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

but now he is indeed useful to you and to me- “euxr-eh-ston” useful, being of use or service.

There are two images that Paul uses to get this point across: age (old vs. young), imprisonment (confined vs. free).

Paul had to have been frustrated at times that he was not able to do what he desired. Surely he would have been more beneficial to the kingdom of God and the church if he were not in prison. But being in prison forced him to invest in the lives of others.

Oh yeah, don’t forget about the whole ackward challenge of Onesimus being a slave! He had no rights and was the lowest on the social ladder.

Consent vs. Compulsion (vs. 12-14)

I am sending him-

back to you

sending my very heart- another use of the same word back to back. But Paul is not just sending a person, he is sending his affection and compassion

I would have been glad to keep him with me

in order that he might serve me

on your behalf

during my imprisonment for the gospel

But I preferred to do nothing without your consent-

in order that your goodness

might not be by compulsion-

but of your own accord

Beloved Brother vs. Bondservant (vs. 15-17)

For this perhaps- Paul is going to give a potential reason for what has happened.

is why he has parted from you for a while

that you might have him back forever

no longer as a bondservant

but more than a bondservant

as a beloved brother

especially to me

but how much more to you

both in the flesh- practically

and in the Lord- Spiritually

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

Which area of maturity is the Holy Spirit at work in you? Which one do you find the most difficult?

How would you describe the transition to maturity outlined in this section in your own words?

Who have you seen mature from being “useless” to being “useful” both practically and Spiritually? What changed?

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Transitional phrase:

Paying Partner: “Charge that to My Account” (vs. 17-20)

Partner (v. 17)

So

if you consider me

your partner- “koinwnon” collaborator, an associate in an activity or endeavor or shpere of common interest

receieve him- “proslavou” aor, mid, imperative, 2nd, sg to welcom into one’s presence or home

as you would me- Paul is going to ask Philemon to prepare a place for him in just a few sentences.

Price (v. 18)

If he has wronged you at all- “eh-dik-eh-sen” aor, act,ind, 3rd, sg has wronged, in the past, treated unjustly

or owes you anything- “opheilei” pres, act, ind, 3rd, sg, to owe or be in debt presently. chances are, there has been a cost

charge that to my account

Payment (vs. 19-20)

I Paul

write this with my own hand

I will repay it

to say nothing of your owing me even your own self

Yes brother

I want some benefit from you in the Lord

Refresh my heart in Christ

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

When it comes for forgiveness, which part do people seem to struggle with the most: receiving the person into their presence, being repaid for the debt, or being refreshed by that person?

Paul is a great example of a partner that came alongside someone that was struggling. Have you ever had someone come alongside you as a partner to help? Who is our partner even when we don’t have someone next to us?

Who do we all ultimately owe for the debt of our lives?

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Transitional phrase:

Preparation and Prayer: “Graciously given to You” (vs. 21-25)

Confidence (v. 21)

Confident of your obedience

I write to you

knowing that you will do even more than I say

Hope (v. 22)

At the same time

prepare a guest room for me

for I am hoping

that through your prayers

I will be gracioulsy given to you

Greetings (vs. 23-25)

Epaphras

my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus

sends greetings to you

and so do

Mark

Aristarchus

Demas

Luke

my fellow workers

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

be with your spirit

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Discussion Starters:

Which area of maturity is the Holy Spirit at work in you? Which one do you find the most difficult?

Which “R” of forgiveness do you struggle with the most (receiving, repaying, or refreshing)?

What has challenged you the most in the book of Philemon?

Summary: Fully received, repaid, and refreshed

Song:

Benediction/Looking ahead: INVITE PEOPLE TO THE CAFE