Philemon I. Introduction A. Paul's letter to Philemon B. A short but compelling plea to a fellow Christian C. Let us consider the book II. Philemon: The Details A. Authorship 1. Philemon 1:1: Paul and Timothy, but it is clear that Paul is really behind it (Philemon 1:9, 19) 2. No real dispute; authenticity never challenged B. Dating 1. As with all New Testament letters, no specific date 2. Paul is in prison (Philemon 1:1, 13; in Jerusalem, Caesarea, or Rome, 58-62) 3. As we will see below, Philemon most likely part of the Colossian church, letter to Colossians and Philemon sent at the same time 4. Colossae destroyed in earthquake in 60/61 CE; Paul seems unaware of this event 5. Therefore, letter written between 58-60 CE C. Audience 1. Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church in his house (Philemon 1:1-2) 2. Onesimus, the subject of the letter to Philemon, considered a member of the church in Colossae, sent by Paul (Colossians 4:8-9) 3. Archippus is encouraged to fulfill the ministry God gave him (Colossians 4:17) 4. Epaphras sends his greetings (Philemon 1:23): he is considered "one of" the Colossians, a hard worker for the Christians of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:12-13) 5. Therefore, Paul is writing specifically to Philemon, secondarily to Apphia and Archippus, and to the whole church in Colossae, which seems to meet in Philemon's house D. Purpose: to encourage Philemon to treat Onesimus, his runaway slave, well, since he has become a Christian III. Philemon: The Story A. Introductory Remarks (Philemon 1:1-7) 1. Paul, prisoner of Jesus, and Timothy, to Philemon a beloved fellow worker, Apphia, Archippus (fellow soldier), and church in their house; grace and peace from God and Jesus (Philemon 1:1-3) 2. Paul thanks God when he remembers Philemon in his prayers; Paul has heard of his love and faith toward Jesus and the saints; Paul prays that the sharing of Philemon's faith will be effective for full knowledge of every good thing in believers for Christ's sake; Paul as deriving much comfort and joy from the love of Philemon, for saints have been refreshed through him (Philemon 1:4-7) B. Paul's Appeal to Philemon for Onesimus (Philemon 1:8-22) 1. Paul is bold enough to command Philemon to do what is required, but for sake of love he rather appeals to him; Paul as old man and prisoner of Christ; Paul makes appeal for Onesimus, whom he converted while in prison; Onesimus previously as useless, since not a Christian, but is now useful to Paul and Philemon as a Christian (Philemon 1:8-11) 2. Paul sending Onesimus back, as sending his own heart; Paul would have been glad to keep him, to serve Paul on Philemon's behalf in his imprisonment for gospel, but did not want to do so without Philemon's consent; Paul desires for Philemon's goodness to be of his own accord and not by compulsion (Philemon 1:12-14) 3. Paul surmises that such might be why Onesimus was parted from Philemon, so that he could have him back forever, not as slave, but more than slave-- a beloved brother, so for Paul, much more to Philemon, in the flesh and in the Lord (Philemon 1:15-16) 4. If Philemon considers Paul his partner, receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul; whatever wrong or debt Onesimus has is to be charged to Paul's account; Paul writes with his own hand, will repay whatever is necessary, saying nothing of how Philemon owes himself to Paul; Paul wants some benefit from Philemon, wants him to refresh his heart in Christ (Philemon 1:17-20) 5. Paul writes, confident of Philemon's obedience, knowing he will do even more than is said; Paul wants Philemon to prepare a guest bed for him, for he hopes through prayer to be given to Philemon (Philemon 1:21-22) C. Concluding Remarks (Philemon 1:23-25) 1. Epaphras, fellow prisoner in Christ, sends greetings, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke; all fellow workers of Paul (Philemon 1:23-24) 2. Grace of Lord Jesus Christ be with Philemon's spirit (Philemon 1:25) IV. Philemon: Christology and Theology A. God the Father, Lord Jesus Christ (Philemon 1:3, 5) B. For Christ's sake, good things in believers (Philemon 1:6) V. Philemon: The Kingdom A. Philemon 1. A man of some means-- church is able to meet in his house (Philemon 1:2) 2. He has a reputation for helping Christians; he loves Jesus, the saints, is encouraged to share his faith (Philemon 1:5-7) B. The Context: Christianity and Slavery 1. Onesimus, as Philemon's slave, his property 2. Legally able to punish a runaway slave violently 3. Paul is pleading with Philemon to not exercise this "right" (Philemon 1:8-22) 4. This letter has loomed large in discussions about Christianity and slavery 5. Paul nowhere inherently condemns the institution; no demand for Philemon to release Onesimus 6. Christian slaves are to serve their masters (Ephesians 6:5-8, Colossians 3:22-25) 7. Christian masters are to treat slaves well, remember that they have a Master themselves (Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 4:1) 8. Nevertheless, the equality of all men before God as emphasized in Galatians 3:28 and Colossians 3:11, and the disconnect of masters and slaves assembling as equals on Sunday but returning to "normal" roles the rest of the time led many Christian masters to free their slaves, particularly their Christian slaves, in the first few centuries after Christ C. Paul 1. Paul's demeanor in the letter very touching 2. He does not speak harshly or strongly, using his authority in Christ to command, like in 2 Corinthians 3. Instead, he appeals with love, tenderness, warmth (Philemon 1:8-22) 4. He is even willing to have whatever is necessary charged to his account (Philemon 1:18)! 5. One can wonder how Philemon could ever resist such a tender appeal! 6. A demonstration of the superior power of love to persuade and encourage VI. Philemon: Conclusion A. Thus we have Paul's letter to Philemon 1. A touching personal exhortation 2. An appeal to Philemon's better nature in regards to Onesimus B. We do not know what happens! 1. We would like to think that Philemon does as expected, welcomes Onesimus happily as a brother in Christ 2. No reason to believe the contrary! 3. Tragic how soon after Colossae hit with major earthquake, never really to rise again-- who knows what came of Philemon, Onesimus, and the church there? C. Let us be willing to appeal to one another by love, and to be appealed to with love, and seek the will of the Lord Jesus! D. Invitation/songbook Scripture, Meditation, and Application 1: For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother (Philemon 1:7). Paul commends Philemon for his faith and knowledge and especially how he has been effective in refreshing the hearts of his fellow saints. We do well to find ways to serve as encouragers for each other, building each other up in our most holy faith. May we seek to share in the same faith as Philemon! 2: I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus (Philemon 1:10). Paul writes to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, his runaway slave who has become a Christian under Paul's tutelage. We do well to note how Paul attempts to plead with Philemon and expects the appropriate response in faith despite the authority Philemon has over Onesimus. Perhaps we also would do well to appeal to each other's better nature and not assume the worst! 3: For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever; no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord (Philemon 1:15-16). Onesimus was a slave before a Christian and remains a slave afterward. Yet Paul expects Philemon to recognize the greater value of Onesimus as not just his slave but now as his fellow brother in Christ as well. From this we learn that no matter what our condition or situation in life we can serve God; no matter another's circumstance they can be our fellow brother or sister in Christ. Let us seek the unity of the faith and serve the Lord! 4: I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides (Philemon 1:19). Paul puts it all on the line before Philemon; he will pay whatever Philemon has lost. Yet he expects Philemon to recognize the situation: Paul was influential in Philemon's conversion and spiritual life and therefore ought to receive back Onesimus without taking any injury or financial penalty into consideration. Let us learn from the letter of Philemon how to make each other offers we cannot refuse and seek to serve the Lord together!