BOOK OF PHILEMON
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. The book of Philemon is a very beautiful little book, like the
book of Ruth in the O.T.
B. These small books have their own introductions and conclusions.
C. As we usually do, let's make an effort to understand and apply
what the Holy Spirit is conveying to us through this brief
epistle.
I. Verses 1-3 - Paul's introduction.
A. Verse 1 - "A prisoner" - Paul is now older and a prisoner in
Rome. Phile. 10
1. Notice that Timothy joins Paul in the sending of this
epistle to Philemon, although Paul uses the personal pronoun
"I" throughout.
2. "To Philemon" - All that we know about Philemon is in this
little book.
a. He was loved and appreciated by Paul and the others.
b. As we will see, he was probably rather wealthy.
B. Verse 2 - "To the beloved Apphia" - The Greek ending of this
name shows that this is a woman.
1. "To Archippus" - He was probably the evangelist at Colosse.
Col. 4:17
a. "Our fellow soldier" - These men fought and defended
the gospel under many hardships.
2. "And to the church in your house" - This was common in
N.T. times.
a. Often, far too much money is spent in trying to build
and maintain an elaborate church building.
C. Verse 3 - No greater blessing can be bestowed.
II. Verses 4-7 - Paul gives thanks for Philemon's love and
fellowship.
A. Verse 4 - Let us pray for one another that all things might be
well with us, especially spiritually.
B. Verse 5 - Everyone builds a reputation of some kind.
1. Philemon's love and faith had manifested itself, and Paul
was giving thanks for it.
C. Verse 6 - "Sharing" - This is the word "fellowship" in the
original.
1. When one shares, his faith becomes effectual. James 2:14-15
2. We, likewise, need to share in every good thing.
D. Verse 7 - Philemon had been sharing, and the hearts of the
saints were refreshed.
1. Many rich people never share anything, and God will hold
them accountable. Heb. 4:13
III. Verses 8-21 - Paul's intercession for Onesimus.
A. Verse 8 - Paul, being an apostle of Christ, had a right to
command, and he often did.
B. Verse 9 - Instead, Paul beseeched out of love.
1. Could Philemon have refused such a gentle request?
2. We, too, need to gently beseech out of love. 2 Tim. 2:24-25
C. Verse 10 - This shows that Paul was always busy trying to win
souls. Phil. 4:9
D. Verse 11 - As we will see, Onesimus was Philemon's slave who
had run away. Somehow he had met up with Paul in Rome where
he was converted.
E. Verse 12 - Sending Onesimus back was like tearing out Paul's
own heart.
F. Verse 13 - Paul wanted to kept Onesimus with him in the service
of the gospel.
G. Verse 14 - However, Paul could not continue to be helped by a
runaway slave who belonged to another.
1. "That your good deed" - This refers to Philemon allowing
Onesimus to remain in Rome.
2. "Might not be by compulsion, but voluntary" - If Paul had
kept Onesimus with him, Philemon would have had no other
choice but to follow along.
H. Verse 15 - Philemon's brief loss of a slave is repaid by a
permanent gain of a brother.
I. Verse 16 - Onesimus was now both as a fleshly brother and a
spiritual brother.
J. Verse 17 - Give him the same welcome as you would give me.
K. Verse 18 - Perhaps lingering in Philemon's mind - a reason for
not receiving Onesimus - is a debt that Onesimus owed.
1. It was common for runaway slaves to take many things along
with them that they did not own; thus, stealing from their
master.
L. Verse 19 - No one expects Philemon to make Paul pay for
Onesimus' debt. However, Paul would gladly have done it if he
were thus required.
1. "Not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self
besides." This indicates that Paul had also converted
Philemon.
M. Verse 20 - Paul would had rejoiced if Philemon would have
received Onesimus back again.
1. Paul is encouraging Philemon to thus refresh his heart.
N. Verse 21 - Paul knew that Philemon, himself, was a dedicated
and dependable person.
O. We stop at this point to examine other passages which give
instructions to slaves and masters. Titus 2:9-10; 1 Tim. 6:1-2;
Col. 3:22-4:1; Eph. 6:5-9; 1 Pet. 2:18-19
IV. Verse 22-25 - Paul's Final Words.
A. Verse 22 - This shows that Philemon was a man of means.
1. Paul hoped to be released from prison so that he could visit
brethren in various places. Phil. 1:23-26
B. Various ones are mentioned in Paul's concluding remarks:
1. Verse 23 - Epaphras - He is mentioned only here and in Col.
1:7; 4:12. At the time of the writing of Philemon, he was
also a prisoner in Rome.
a. Epaphras was probably a N.T. prophet.
2. Verse 24 - These others are familiar N.T. characters.
a. Mark was the cousin of Barnabas and was the one who
left Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary tour.
Col. 4:10; Acts 13:13
(1) He later proved himself. 2 Tim. 4:11
b. Aristarchus traveled with Paul and also was probably a
N.T. prophet. Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Col. 4:10
c. Demas later left Paul because he loved this present
world. 2 Tim. 4:10
d. Luke was the beloved physician and the writer of Luke
and Acts. Col. 4:14
C. Verse 25 - To have grace and peace within our hearts is a
wonderful blessing.
Concl.
A. Lessons from this short epistle:
1. We see the deep love that brethren had, and should have, for
one another.
2. Slavery was not condemned or abolished, but was regulated
by divine principles.
a. The gospel of Christ sets forth principles that, if
applied, would eventually abolish slavery.