Rob's Philemon Notes
Notes
Transcript
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.
For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
One thing more—prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
OBSERVATION
Read and Read Again
Who
Philemon
Paul
Apphia
Archippus
Onesimus
Epaphras
Mark
Aristarchus
Demas
Luke
What
Onesimus is Philemon’s slave. Paul wants him to be forgiven for leaving and for Philemon to free him so he can work for Paul.
When
Not clear
Where
Paul is under house arrest in Rome
How
Letter
Why
To make sure Onesimus is treated with grace and justice
What is repeated in the original language?
What Are The Differences Between Translations
Observation (Rob's Thoughts)
Why is this even in the canon?
Why is Onesimus formerly useless?
Is Paul being passive aggressive here?
INTERPRETATION (Discover original intended meaning)
Context
What is the genre?
Considered a personal letter.
Intertextual Context
What are the parallel passages?
None
Are there Synoptic Gospel passages? If so, compare the passages, list the similarities and differences. Why are there differences?
N/A
Historical Context
Cultural Context
Geographical Context
One Sentence
APPLICATION/CORRELATION
Commentary
Apphia is probably wife and Archippus oldest son
Because of connections between Philemon and the situation and people mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, it is possible that Philemon was a resident of Colosse and that both Philemon and Colossians were written at roughly the same time. Because of this, commentaries on Philemon are often included with ones on the book of Colossians.
Onesimus did not just run away from Philemon, but he ran away to Paul in order to secure Paul’s aid in restoring him to his master’s good graces for some reason. When a slave fell into his master’s extreme disfavor, it could go very badly for him.
The letter to Philemon is a model of pastoral care: loving, thoughtful, diplomatic, and carefully theological
People wrong one another and owe one another, whether or not the institution of slavery blots the relationship
Revised Sentence
Rob Notes/Insights
What is God telling me to do, stop, etc.
No one is above God’s love or ours and all of us are in need of forgiveness.
LESSON
PRAYER
HOUSECLEANING (IF NECESSARY)
No meeting the next 2 weeks
figh LEE muhn
THEIR QUESTIONS
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Does this sound like Paul?
this letter illustrates that Paul actually lives and practices a very deep ethical principle that he shares with our Lord: the principle of non-dominance
Look at verse 8 and 20 is Paul being passive aggressive here?
What is ironic about the name Onesimus?
Profitable, useful, or beneficial, common slave name
Where does Paul offer us an example of self sacrificial love?
Does this letter serve as an approval of slavery?
Discuss Slavery in Paul’s Day.
patronage Paul was acting as patron of Onesimus
Theological issues
Loving neighbor
Trust in God
Holy Spirit
Discuss: One function Philemon serves, precisely because of its historical setting, is to remind us that the church’s social teaching has changed over time. Whether it be slavery, usury, or the status of women, the church’s approach to social issues has evolved with great struggle and sometimes shifted dramatically. Just a century and a half ago North American Christians were still torn over slavery.
HANDOUTS
Slavery in Paul’s Day
BOARD
EXTRA MATERIAL
INTERCESSIONS