Forgiveness

Scripture Reading | Philemon 8-21

Philemon 8–21 “Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: but without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.”

Review

Introduction to the book - situation between Philemon and Onesimus - runaway servant becomes brother

Paul’s commendation of every good thing in Philemon in Christ Jesus

Conveniency of “receiving” - based upon Christ, grace, and salvation

Paul not commanding but beseeching

The process of forgiving - receive (repentance & change), restore, and restitute

Introduction

Defining Forgiveness

The God of Forgiveness

The Nature of Forgiveness

Sermon

Defining Forgiveness

Forgiveness comes from Old English, forgiefan and the prefix “for” intensifies and completes the action of the verb “give”

“for” here conveys the sense of full release or finality

an action carried through to its end

“giefan” = to give

“forgiefan” = to give completely, to give up, to remit

“forgiveness” = the act of fully giving up a claim or debt

The prefix strengthens the idea of “giving” so that forgiveness isn’t partial or tentative, but decisive and total.

Acts 20:35 “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

the pardon of an offender, by which he is considered and treated as not guilty

a matter of judgment

Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:”

Components

Two parties

1. The Offender, and

2. The Offendee

Activities of the two parities

1. The Offender - does the offending - sin, hurtful, wrong to another; hopefully repentance

2. The Offendee - does the forgiving; hopefully not anger, bitterness, or malice

2. The God of Forgiveness