Fellowship: Including Everyone

Philemon 1-25

Philemon 1–25 (NLT)

1 This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,

2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.

3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,

5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.

6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do.

9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.

10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.

11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.

12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.

14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.

15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever.

16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.

19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!

20 Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!

22 One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.

24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.

25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

A Man named Ray was a dealer in illegal drugs, but meeting Christ brought radical change to his life. He is now one of his church's most enthusiastic members. Well-dressed and socially adept, Ray found quick acceptance and blended easily.

One day Ray brought with him two friends struggling with substance abuse. Their hair was unkempt, they wore "street clothing," and they were wary of unfamiliar church surroundings. As Ray introduced them to an elderly woman during the service, the woman coldly turned away without speaking. Their suspicions confirmed, the pair hasn't returned.

Yet Jesus built a ministry based on including everyone. The fellowship of believers is intended to be a place of healing, forgiveness and equality. In a short letter, Paul urges Philemon and his church to restore to their membership a runaway slave, Onesimus.

Outline to Philemon:

Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon Philemon 1–25: Grace and Forgiveness

IN A NUTSHELL

Paul wrote a very personal letter to his friend, Philemon. The purpose of his writing was to ease the way for Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave, to return to his master. Since fleeing from Philemon, Onesimus came to Christian faith through Paul’s ministry. Paul asked Philemon to receive his slave back not as property, but as a Christian brother. It is a letter urging grace and forgiveness, reconciliation and renewed relationship based upon Christ.

I. FELLOWSHIP IS BASED UPON UNIQUE RELATIONSHIPS .(PHILEMON 1:1-3).

Philemon 1–3 (NLT)

1 This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,

2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.

3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

A- This relationship begins with a proper view of self .(Philemon 1).

Philemon 1 (NLT)

1 This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,

1- Paul did not view himself as a victim of the Jews or of the Roman empire.

2- In Paul’s mind, he was in the center of God’s will (a prisoner of Christ) and understood that the reason for his imprisonment also served as his purpose for being. (δεσμιος Χριστου Ἰησου= bound for Christ Jesus)

B- This relationship depends on a proper view of other believers. (Philemon 1 – 2).

Philemon 1–2 (NLT)

1 This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,

2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.

1- Timothy was his brother (Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφὸς)

2- Philemon was his beloved coworker (Φιλήμονι τῷ ἀγαπητῷ καὶ συνεργῷ ἡμῶν)

3- Apphia was his sister (Ἀπφίᾳ τῇ ἀδελφῇ)

4- Archippus was a fellow soldier (Ἀρχίππῳ τῷ συνστρατιώτῃ ἡμῶν)

5- All of them were all part of the church of Christ

C- This relationship is dependent upon God’s grace and peace. (Philemon 3).

Philemon 3 (NLT)

3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

1- Without God’s grace there is no basis for a relationship with anyone else in the Christian community.

2- Without God’s peace it is impossible to face the trials of life.

II. FELLOWSHIP IS BOLSTERED BY UNSELFISH ENCOURAGEMENT. (PHILEMON 1:4-7).

Philemon 4–7 (NLT)

4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,

5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.

6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

A- Philemon’s life was such that Paul was thankful to God for him. (Philemon 4).

Philemon 4 (NLT)

4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,

B- Philemon had an unwavering faith in Christ. (Philemon 5).

Philemon 5 (NLT)

5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.

C- Philemon had a genuine love for God’s people. (Philemon 5).

Philemon 5 (NLT)

5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.

D- Philemon’s faith demonstrated itself in generosity. (Philemon 6).

Philemon 6 (NLT)

6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

E- Philemon’s love and kindness was the source of joy, comfort, and had refreshed and encouraged God’s people. (Philemon 7).

Philemon 7 (NLT)

7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

(see also: Matthew 11:28; Mark 6:31; Revelation 14:13).

Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Mark 6:31 (NLT)

31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

Revelation 14:13 (NLT)

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!”

III. FELLOWSHIP IS BUILT BY UNBOUNDED GRACE. (PHILEMON 1:8-21).

A- Grace is expressed by a willing heart. (Philemon 8 – 9).

Philemon 8–9 (NLT)

8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do.

9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.

B- Grace is expressed toward the unworthy. (Philemon 10 – 16).

Philemon 10–16 (NLT)

10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.

11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.

12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.

14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.

15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever.

16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

C- Grace is expressed with an eye toward grace received. (Philemon 17 – 21).

Philemon 17–21 (NLT)

17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.

19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!

20 Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!

IV. FELLOWSHIP IS BOUND-UP BY UNCHANGING LOVE . (PHILEMON 22-25).

Philemon 22–25 (NLT)

22 One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.

24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.

25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

A- Love seeks to help fellow believers. (Philemon 22).

Philemon 22 (NLT)

22 One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.

B- Love cherishes the bonds forged with other believers. (Philemon 23 – 24).

Philemon 23–24 (NLT)

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.

24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.

C- Love intercedes for the spiritual well-being of other believers . (Philemon 25).

Philemon 25 (NLT)

25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

CONCLUSION: