1. The Letter to Philemon
(2 Studies)
Laindon Bible Study
17th November 2011

2. The shape of our two studies
Background, The first The last Conclusions
themes eleven fourteen and
and shape verses verses lessons

3. Part 1 – A quick recap
• A remarkable little letter – a highly personal and moving appeal
• ‘The Book of Reconciliation’ – Master <> Mediator <> Servant
• Parallels with Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke ch. 15)
• A letter from Paul’s first Rome imprisonment, “Paul, a prisoner”
• Philemon probably a member of the Colossian ecclesia
• A series of contrasts used by Paul to emphasise his points
• At least 16 angles to his appeal to Philemon, from start to finish
• Philemon an active believer, renowned for love of the brethren
• The ecclesia, including his wife and son(?), met in his house
• Paul beseeched on Onesimus’ behalf, did not force acceptance
• A 445 word letter that could have been 7/8 words, but it wasn’t!

6. The sequence of events
The Letters to Philemon and the Colossians...
• How readest thou? Option 1one of you’ means already a member
‘Who is
Colossians chapter 4 verses 7-9 of the ecclesia at Colossae
If so, sequence might be:
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare 1. Onesimus sent from Rome  Colossae with
unto you, who is a beloved brother, Philemon letter, is accepted back by Master
2. Onesimus sent back Colossae  Rome
and a faithful minister and
3. Onesimus/Tychicus travel Rome  Colossae with
fellowservant in the Lord: Colossian letter Probably Option 2 most likely,
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the
same purpose, that he might know because in Philemon Paul
your estate, and comfort your hearts; Option 2 implies imminent release*
9 With Onesimus, a faithful and ‘Who is one of you’ means he had been a
beloved brother, who is one of resident of Colossae and was now a fellow
brother in Christ
you. They shall make known unto If so, sequence might be:
you all things which are done here. 1. Onesimus/Tychicus travel Rome  Colossae with
A public declaration both Philemon letter and Colossian letter
of Onesimus’ faith * 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

7. Masters and Servants/Slaves
• A frequent topic in Paul’s Epistles (esp. those
to Colossians, Ephesians)
• Particularly used to draw out a broader
allegory, never to judge the rights/wrongs
• Key point is that in whatever situation one
find’s oneself it can be used to glorify God
(1 Corinthians 10 v 31)
• We shouldn’t question our situation, rather
we should trust in God and His providence

9. Onesimus sent by Paul reluctantly
Philemon verses 12-14
• “that is, mine own bowels” (for Jews, seat of
12 tender affections) shows the strength of
Whom I have sent
relationship that had developed between
again: thou therefore
receive him, that is, Paul and Onesimus. NET “who is my very
mine own bowels: heart”; Weymouth “I send part of myself”
13 Whom I would have • “I would have retained” Gk. boulomai =
retained with me, that intended, minded, be disposed. Indecision?
in thy stead he might • “in thy stead”, Paul indicates that although
have ministered unto Philemon was not being served by
me in the bonds of the Onesimus, he was (i.e. Onesimus was still
gospel: performing his duty, just toward another)
14 But without thy mind
would I do nothing; that • v.14 (RSV) “but I preferred to do nothing
thy benefit should not without your consent in order that your
be as it were of goodness might not be by compulsion but
necessity, but willingly. of your own free will.” Two key principles

10. To be received willingly by Philemon
Philemon verses 15-17 • “departed for a season” – suggests that
15
God’s providential hand had been at work.
For perhaps he
Compare case of Joseph: “Now therefore
therefore departed for a
be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves,
season, that thou
that ye sold me hither: for God did send me
shouldest receive him for
ever;
before you to preserve life.” (Gen. 45v5)
16 Not now as a servant, • “shouldest receive him for ever” unlike the
but above a servant, a Master-Slave relationship, which dissolved
brother beloved, at death, now was an abiding relationship
specially to me, but how • “both in the flesh, and in the Lord”
much more unto thee, suggests that Onesimus would remain a
both in the flesh, and in slave, but would also now be a beloved
the Lord? brother (see 1 Cor. 7v20-22)
17 If thou count me
therefore a partner, • “partner” = Gk. koinonos = fellow, sharer
receive him as myself. • “receive him as myself” – connect back v.12

11. Paul the ‘Good Samaritan’
Philemon verses • “If he hath wronged thee” – it is highly likely that
18-19 Paul would have known this if true, although his
18
style is to leave the matter open
If he hath
wronged thee, or • “put that on mine account” Paul acting as the
oweth thee ought, mediator/intercessor. Gk. ellogeo = impute,
put that on mine reckon i.e. to keep a record of something
account; (Romans 5v13 s.w.). “And on the morrow when
19 I Paul have he departed, he took out two pence, and gave
written it with them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of
mine own hand, I him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when
will repay it: albeit I come again, I will repay thee.” (Luke 10v35)
I do not say to • v.19 (CEV) “With my own hand I write: I, PAUL,
thee how thou WILL PAY YOU BACK...” (translation’s emphasis)
owest unto me
even thine own • “repay it” = Gk. apotino = ‘to pay in full’ (Strong)
self besides. • “I do not say” – Paul reminds, does not force

12. The final impassioned appeal
Philemon verses 20-22 • “let me have joy of thee” Gk. oninemi = ‘to be
useful, to profit, help’ (Thayer) related to
20 Yea, brother, let me adjective Onesimus = profitable, helpful (play
have joy of thee in the on words, frequent style employed by Paul)
Lord: refresh my • “refresh my bowels” – as Philemon had
bowels in the Lord. refreshed the bowels of all of the saints (see
21 Having confidence in
v.7). Paul was just asking Philemon to do for
thy obedience I wrote him what he had so often done for others
unto thee, knowing
• “withal” = RSV ‘at the same time’ i.e. at the
that thou wilt also do
more than I say.
same time as accepting back Onesimus!
22 But withal prepare • “through your prayers”, the importance of
me also a lodging: for I prayer in God’s purpose. “Confess your faults
trust that through your one to another, and pray one for another...
prayers I shall be given The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous
unto you. man availeth much.” (James 5v16)

13. The concluding salutation
Philemon verses Colossians 4 v 10,12,14
23-25 “Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus,
sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received
23 There salute commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)...
thee Epaphras, Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you,
my always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand
fellowprisoner in perfect and complete in all the will of God.... Luke, the beloved
Christ Jesus; physician, and Demas, greet you.”
24 Marcus,
• “Epaphras” previously instrumental in ecclesia at
Aristarchus, Colossae, as Col. 1v7 (“for you... faithful minister”)
Demas, Lucas, my
• “Marcus” = John Mark, who became “profitable”
fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of (2 Timothy 4v11), despite earlier disagreement
our Lord Jesus • “Aristarchus... Lucas” clearly both present with
Christ be with Paul when he went Caesarea  Rome (Acts 27v2)
your spirit. • “Demas” fell away “having loved this present
Amen. world” (2 Timothy 4v10), written 5-7 years later

15. The importance of mercy
“For he shall have judgment
without mercy, that hath shewed
no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth
against judgment.” (James 2 v 13)

16. The right way to appeal
“And the servant of the Lord must not
strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt
to teach, patient, In meekness
instructing those that oppose
themselves; if God peradventure will
give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth;”
(2 Timothy 2 v 24-25)

17. Other lessons
• The work of our mediator, interceding for
‘criminals’
• The importance of our prayer, working out
God’s purpose
• Obedience through choice always to be
preferred to obedience through compulsion
• In whatever situation we find ourselves there
is opportunity to give God glory
• We must continue to hold fast until the end

18. A highly personal letter