Postcards From the Bible: Reconciled: Philemon

I. The Praise vs. 1-7

A. Archippus was Philemon’s son and pastor.

B. This letter was for Philemon and the church. He had hosted Paul many times.

C. He was known for his hospitality, and being a faithful worker.

II. The Petition vs. 8-17

A. Onesimus was once a slave of Philemon, but had ran away and stolen from his master.

B. Onesimus means useful, it’s a play on words, a dad joke perhaps. (vs 10).

C. You might be separated from a person (kid, parent, friend) so that Yahweh will save them, on down the road.

III. The Promise vs. 18-25

A. This is a picture of the gospel. (vs. 18).

B. We were slaves, who Christ freed, and the Father adopted into His family. Rom. 8:17

Romans 8:17 NASB95

and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

C. Mark, who had wronged Paul, but was discipled by Barnabas, was now back to working with Paul. Paul had learned a similar lesson.