Philemon

TitleTitle

English – English – PhilemonPhilemonGreek – Greek – Pro.j Pro.j Filh,monaFilh,mona

AuthorAuthorPauPaull

Date of WritingDate of Writing

60-6160-61 AD AD

ThemeTheme

From From Bondage Bondage to to BrotherhoodBrotherhood

Philemon Philemon 17 17 If then If then you regard you regard me a me a partner, partner, accept him accept him as you as you would me. would me.

Purpose of WritingPurpose of WritingThis letter serves as Paul’s instructions to Philemon on how to receive Onesimus. Paul has often been criticized for his lack of radicalism in opposition to the institution of slavery. But this criticism ignores Paul’s more subtle teaching concerning slavery– that masters and slaves are equals, no matter their earthly situation.

Philemon 15-16 Philemon 15-16 For For perhaps he was for this perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for reason separated from you for a while, that you would have a while, that you would have him back forever, him back forever, 1616 no longer no longer as a slave, but more than a as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. flesh and in the Lord.

Survey of PhilemonSurvey of Philemon

Christ in PhilemonChrist in PhilemonConflict Resolution in Conflict Resolution in PhilemonPhilemon

Slavery in the Pauline EpistlesSlavery in the Pauline EpistlesPlace in the CanonPlace in the Canon

Christ in PhilemonChrist in Philemon

1.1.Source of Our Source of Our EffectivenessEffectiveness

2.2.Paul as a Paul as a TypeType of of ChristChrist

The Source of Our The Source of Our EffectivenessEffectiveness

Philemon 6 Philemon 6 and I pray and I pray that the fellowship of that the fellowship of your faith may become your faith may become effective through the effective through the knowledge of every good knowledge of every good thing which is in you for thing which is in you for Christ's sake.Christ's sake.

Paul as a Paul as a TypeType of of ChristChrist

Philemon 18-19 Philemon 18-19 But if he has But if he has wronged you in any way or wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that owes you anything, charge that to my account; to my account; 1919 I, Paul, am I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, writing this with my own hand, I will repay it I will repay it

Conflict Resolution in PhilemonConflict Resolution in Philemon1.1.Regardless of personal Regardless of personal feelings, feelings, we must follow the we must follow the Scriptures.Scriptures.

2.2.Sometimes, mediation between Sometimes, mediation between 2 parties is helpful.2 parties is helpful.

3.3.True resolution will only be True resolution will only be affected with Christlikeness.affected with Christlikeness.

Slavery in the Pauline EpistlesSlavery in the Pauline EpistlesIt is easy to criticize Paul for not condemning slavery in harsher terms. However, we must be careful not to judge a writer in the first century by the standards of the 21st. Paul actually did more to undermine slavery in the Roman Empire through his non-violent teaching than he could have done if he had condemned the practice outright.

1 Corinthians 12:13 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by For by one Spirit we were all baptized one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.of one Spirit.

Colossians 4:1 Colossians 4:1 Masters, Masters, grant to your slaves justice and grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.have a Master in heaven.

Philemon 15-16 Philemon 15-16 For perhaps For perhaps he was for this reason he was for this reason separated from you for a while, separated from you for a while, that you would have him back that you would have him back forever, forever, 1616 no longer as a slave, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.the Lord.

Place in the CanonPlace in the CanonHistorically, Philemon shows us Paul’s love for fellow believers of all social stations.

Theologically, we learn that Christ transforms all of our relationships.

Devotionally, we should be motivated to bring every aspect of our life into submission to him.