Philemon Study

Introduction:

Setting:

Setting:

Paul is in prison with uncertain future

Did not know if he was going to get death penalty, would be released, etc.

Prison at this time was not a sentence, but a holding chamber until you were sentenced

Characters in Story

Paul (Writing the story)

Philemon (Who the letter is addressed to)

wealthy christian convert who was converted by paul and hosted a local church in his home.

Onesimus (bringing the letter)

A former slave of Philemon’s who likely ran away from Onesimus

Cultural Background

For a slave to run away meant that the slave was a criminal and had wronged the master

Things to note:

All characters in story are Christians.

What can we learn about the call of the Christian in each of these roles? The encourager/leader (Paul), the transgressor (Onesimus), and the transgressed (Philemon)

Misc Facts

This is the only letter Paul writes that does not mention Jesus and his resurrection

Character Analysis

What themes do we see here?

What stories/themes are recurring here (could even remind us of NT or non pentateuchal stories)?

How do we apply this to our/others lives in modern day contexts?

Where does Jesus fit into this story?

What are some similar difficult situations in our lives that we can seek Jesus in? What are some personal examples you can use to illustrate this point?

(split into group discussions for this)

Philemon (Onesimus’ owner)

Called upon by Paul to forgive the debts of Onesimus

called to welcome back somebody who has wronged him

likely to generate lots of gossip

called to put aside where he has been wronged for the sake of the gospel

called to be humble

Onesimus (Run-away Slave)

possibly stole something from master

ran away to come to Paul, possibly (may have heard of him)

has a change of heart in time with Paul

likely a mutual decision to return to master, the one whom he wronged and place himself at his will

ministry of reconciliation, even if we don’t like the outcome

called to trust

Onesimus in church history is storied to have become the Bishop of Ephesus, and was known for his love

While we can’t be sure, this story makes sense, the Gospel transforms a scared run away slave into somebody who seeks reconciliation, even at the possible expense of his own life, and becomes known for his love

Paul (Sender of Letter)

Paul encourages reconciliation (ministry of reconciliation) for both Philemon to receive Onesimus and Onesimus to seek reconciliation by returning to Philemon

2 Corinthians - ministry of reconciliation

Paul uses the power of the gospel, that worked through him in Onesimus and Philemon to reconcile them together.

Are we like Paul? Are we able to reconcile two together because we have been the Gospel to them?

Are we in positions where we can reconcile people together?

What God did in Christ for the world is what Paul is doing for Onesimus and Philemon

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Reflection Questions

What themes do we see here?

What stories/themes are recurring here (could even remind us of NT or non pentateuchal stories)?

How do we apply this to our/others lives in modern day contexts?

Where does Jesus fit into this story?

What are some similar difficult situations in our lives that we can seek Jesus in? What are some personal examples you can use to illustrate this point?

Good Exegesis

What is Exegesis - It means that you are drawing things out of the text, not reading things into the text (Isegesis)

So in your reading of this passage, what are some themes that you can draw out of the text?

Discuss in Groups: What is/are the key points of the text here?

Sample Theme: Ministry of Reconciliation Phil 17-20

Philemon 17–20 ESV

17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Phil 17-20

The example of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf is modelled to Philemon by Paul. As Christ reconciled us to God, we are called to a ministry of Reconciliation

What stories/themes are recurring here (could even remind us of NT or non pentateuchal stories)?

2 Corinthians 5:16–21 ESV

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation (theological theme)

What themes do we see here? (Answer

Philemon then, is Paul living out this commission, by being willing to pay the price of Onesimus’ wrongdoing to Philemon, thus living out the ministry of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

Where does Jesus fit into this story?

Despite Paul not mentioning Jesus’ death and resurrection, he fits in because he is living out the results, the ministry of reconciliation. We are called to be like Christ to those around, to bring the redemption of the world.

2 Corinthians 5:19 ESV

19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

How do we apply this to our/others lives in modern day contexts?

What are some similar difficult situations in our lives that we can seek Jesus in? What are some personal examples you can use to illustrate this point?

these could be stories where we have been like Paul, or where we have been like Onesimus

What are some similar difficult situations in our lives that we can seek Jesus in? What are some personal examples you can use to illustrate this point?

Pastoral Note: What is better to share?

Onesimus-like stories, because of the air of pride

It is okay to share Paul-like stories, but we as leaders need to be aware if we are coming off as prideful

Factors to consider: how could this be interpreted, do I actually feel pride in what I did, how well do i know these people, will they misinterpret me, etc

When we lead, we are called to reflect upon our own lives and it should humble us. In preparing this, I had to think about when I had wronged people, and how I had been redeemed from that situation. This can often be difficult, may take a long time, but is a very formative practice. This also is why wisdom comes with age, because we have more life to reflect upon. If we stop reflecting upon our lives, we forget all the wisdom that God could have potentially given us.

My story

When I was young, I was a pretty lazy kid. Like all kids, I tried to get my mom to hold everything that I owned so I was free to do what I wanted. Well, I was in a store like target or CVS and we were back to school shopping. I had picked out a pack of pencils, and I didn’t want to hold them and my mother didn’t want to hold them so I put them in my pocket. We go through the store, check out, and everything is great. however, when we get in the car, I hear the crinkle of plastic in my pocket and feel a stiffness there. To my horror, I realize that I had forgotten the pencils and inadvertently stolen them from the store! I confessed to my mother, and she required that we go back to the store, tell them what we had done, and pay for them. I remember feeling so awkward/ashamed to go back to the store to tell them I had “accidentally stolen” from them. Would they believe me? Would I go to jail for stealing? I didn’t know. We went back, and my mother helped me talk to the cashier there and explained the situation on my behalf, advocating that I had not intended to steal them, but that she was going to pay for them. I was very grateful that my mother was there.

While this story is different from Onesimus’, as Onesimus had actually wronged Philemon, I can’t imagine the difficulty he must have had in returning to the master that he had wronged. What if he didn’t forgive him? Philemon must have been aware of the precedent at that time. If Philemon ran away and was forgiven, does this mean that all of Philemon’s slaves should run away? Not to mention that in that culture, forgiveness was seen as an abuseable weakness. There was so much at risk for Philemon. He could be brought before the local government and prosecuted by Philemon, and he was clearly in the wrong. But, going with Paul’s endorsement, Onesimus went to Philemon to seek reconciliation.

Likewise, we must seek reconciliation in our lives.

How do we apply this to our/others lives in modern day contexts?

Degrees of questions - facts, Perspective, and personal

Often times it is helpful, when asking questions to groups, to have a variety of questions so everybody can participate. You want some questions that draw out facts from the text, some that draw their perspectives of the text, and some that draw upon personal sharing. Different people will share for different questions.

Facts:

How does Paul describe himself? Why might this be significant?

(old man, prisoner, for Christ)

Culturally, what would be difficult for Philemon to restore relationship with Onesimus?

Perspective:

What might be going through Onesimus’ mind when he was sent by Paul to do this?

What about this story do you like/dislike the most? What surprised you?

Personal

What would you do if you were Onesimus or Philemon? Would it be easier for you to be Onesimus or Philemon, why or why not?

What are relationships in your life that you could seek reconciliation in? Why haven’t you? (make a disclaimer on this question as to, this question isn’t to judge, but to notice, non judgmental noticings)