A story of Redemption

Onesimus a slave; saved by grace

A believer now reconciled

The Story of Philemon

Setting

This is a public letter. Paul write to Philemon publically because Onesimus sin was public.

We are not sure of the beginning of the Philemon and Onesimus saga, but what is clear Onesimus had wronged Philemon.

Paul

Paul was a prisoner in Rome during this whole event.

Onesimus

Option 1: We do not know if Onesimus ran specifically to Paul, as slaves were permitted to leave to a trusted friend during this time.

Option 2 is that Onesimus ran away and by God’s providence Onesimus ran into Paul. The end result either way is that Onesimus came to know Christ as his Savior

Philemon

the church was meeting in his house. The church members would have known Onesimus.

Philemon and his family were dear friends. Not just good friends, but “Beloved”.

The Plea of Paul

The book is broken up into 4 different parts

Prescript Vs 1-3

Thanksgiving vs 4-7

Paul is thankful for Philemon’s

love and faith

prays that his sharing of the faith will be effective

rejoices that the church is refreshed by Philemon's testimony

Others refreshed by Philemon

Others believers are loved by Philemon

Others have been saved by Philemon’s sharing of the Gospel

Paul is appealing to the heart and to love as the prime motivator.

Appeal vs 8-16

Paul’s intent is not to shame Philemon or command Philemon to do what Paul desires, but rather that Philemon would choose to forgive Onesimus.

Philemon 9“yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—”

Philemon 10 “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,”

Philemon 14 “But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.”

Paul hopes that Philemon will accept Onesimus as a brother not as a slave.

Overview vs 17-22

This is the desired outcome.

That Philemon would accept Onesimus as if he were receiving Paul

Philemon 17–18 “If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.”

Paul ends with one last appeal.

Philemon since you refresh other people. Please refresh me.

Philemon 20 “Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.”

Conclusion vs 23-24

Paul ends expressing his desire that Philemon will do what is right.

Paul ends with his desire to come and visit once again.

The Application

Only God can change a person

Romans 12:1–2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

We are able to live to the Praise of God’s glory because only He can renew our mind.

Renew and refresh are the same word. Refresh is a verb and renew is the noun form.

Only because of Christ can we understand forgiveness and be able to give it.

We are not to be bitter to the bad things that have happened, but should be looking how God is using it for his glory.

God is able to take a dysfunctional group of people into a unity group striving to serve the Lord. This group is called the church

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”