Table Talk- Philemon (wrap it up)

Heart of the matter

A personal letter, a personal appeal as we wrap up this table talk series of Philemon.

Bible study methods, application we have been at this for awhile and I hope you have gained some tools and are now applying the tools in your own personal study. As we have done this with Philemon we are ready to finish it off, first let me summarize what we have seen so far.

We have looked at the background and the introduction. An overview of the book

We then read it again and focused on the “who’s” that we find in the book, and it was quite a list of names.

Then, we got to the exegetical study, focusing on (vv.1-7). This is where we came to see, know author, recipients, the greeting, the prayer, the “we” and the results of their love.

Then, yes, we read it again and now we looked at (vv.8-16). We then focused on Paul’s plea, Paul’s instructions given about Onesimus to Philemon.

Now tonight we will do our final read of the book, then focus on (vv.17-25) makes some observations and draw some conclusions.

So, let’s read it again now, one more time, get some general information that hopefully by now we remember, then focus on our section

Philemon 1–2 NASB95

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, 2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

Philemon 3–4 NASB95

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,

Philemon 5–6 NASB95

5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; 6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.

Philemon 7–8 NASB95

7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. 8 Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper,

Philemon 9–10 NASB95

9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,

Philemon 11–12 NASB95

11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart,

Philemon 13–14 NASB95

13 whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.

Philemon 15–16 NASB95

15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16 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.

Philemon 17–18 NASB95

17 If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account;

Philemon 19–20 NASB95

19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

Philemon 20–21 NASB95

20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.

Philemon 22–23 NASB95

22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

Philemon 24–25 NASB95

24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Q- Anything new stick out to you in this read?

Alright, a challenge now if as I ask some questions, answer and back up with verses. I have confidence you can do it.

Q - Who is the author

Q - Who is the recipient(s)?

Q- What is the topic of the letter?

Q - What is the purpose of the letter?

Q - Who are the “main” characters of the letter?

Good job! See repetition is a good thing, you are getting more out of it now than when we first began. We are remembering more. So, now let’s focus on the last section (vv.17-25) of the letter now.

Q - Who is the who that is mentioned in (v.17) and the me?

Q - Who is the he mentioned in (v.18) and the my?

Q - What is Paul’s request (v.18)?

Q - Why does Philemon owe Paul (v.19)? (subjective answer)

Q - How did Paul expect Philemon to refresh his heart (v.20)?

Q - What is Paul’s confidence regarding Philemon (v.21)?

Q - What is Paul’s request (v.22)?

Q - How does Paul close out this personal letter (v.25)?

So, now, tell me in your own words what is this letter about, what was the aim of this letter?

Do you think that personal appeals, letters, cards etc still can make a difference today?

Someone’s position in Christ changes everything. It did between Philemon and Onesimus, he was now a brother in Christ, and yet his slave. Hence why Onesismus must return, and Philemon must receive him as a brother.

We must be willing to receive others that are brothers even if they don’t talk, act like you do. They may not be where you are spiritually, in maturity, we need to let the grace of God and the mercy of God abound through us to others.

Remember Christ said.

“Blessed are the peacemakers,for they shall be called sons of God.” Mt5:9!

(Prayer) (Close)