WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 27 (3) ‘And Timothy our brother’ (verse 1).

It is a mark of true greatness that Paul

mentions Timothy here – look up Romans 12:10.
BIBLE STUDY NOTES THE LETTERS TO TITUS AND
(4) ‘To Philemon our dear friend…to Apphia, and Archippus’ (verses 1 and 2).
PHILEMON
Paul had a great affection for his friends.
by Francis W. Dixon
(5) ‘I always thank my God…’ (verse 4). What a thankful man Paul was! – look up 1
Corinthians 1:4; Philippians 1:3; Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2
Study 10 THE LETTER OF PAUL TO PHILEMON Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:3; and be sure to obey Philippians 4:6!
(Scripture Portion: Philemon 1-25) (6) ‘I remember you in my prayers’ (verse 4). Here is a significant reference to
The Letter to Philemon is the shortest of Paul’s letters. It consists of only 25 Paul’s prayer life and prayer-list.
verses and is the only private letter of Paul’s that has been included in (7) ‘Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope…’ (verse 22). Paul was a man
who trusted God – look up Mark 11:22.
Scripture. It was written about AD 64 from Rome, where Paul was under
‘house-arrest’ – look up Acts 28:30-31. The letter was written to Philemon, a 3. It illustrates the power of God at work
wealthy Christian who lived in Colosse, and who was a convert of Paul’s. (1) We see His providential power at work. When Onesimus ran away from
Among his many slaves was one named Onesimus, who it would appear had Philemon to Rome (a distance of over a thousand miles as the crow flies) he fell into
robbed his master and run away to Rome – only to come into touch with Paul. the hands of Paul, of all people! Here is encouragement for some of us who may
The result of this meeting was that Onesimus became a Christian, confessed wonder whether our loved ones and friends can ever be brought under the sound of
his sin and sought Paul’s help in bringing about a reconciliation with Philemon, the gospel and brought to know the Lord.
his former master. Paul then wrote this letter to Philemon, pleading with him to (2) We see God’s power in answering prayer. Did Philemon pray for Onesimus?
forgive Onesimus and to receive him back. What do we learn from this letter? Does God answer prayer? He does – look up Mark 11:23-24.
(3) We see God’s power in the transformation of a life. Onesimus was completely
1. It is a beautiful model in the art of letter writing changed when he became a believer. Notice that Paul speaks of him as: (1) ‘my
Notice Paul’s tact, grace, skill and appeal. Some letters should never be son Onesimus’ (verse 10); (2) ‘useless, but now useful’ (verse 11); (3) ‘a dear
written, but this one is different. Imagine Philemon reading it and then handing brother’ (verse 16). Notice the power of the gospel to transform sinners into saints
it to his wife too! Look at verses 7-10, and see Paul’s appeal to Philemon:- – compare Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
(1) To put into action again the love that he had so often shown to the saints 4. It reminds us that no-one is beyond redemption
(compare verses 7 and 8). “In the past, brother, you have so frequently ‘refreshed Do you believe that? Never give anyone up. In answer to prayer anyone,
the hearts of the saints’ – now I want you to do it again.” anywhere, may be brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ –
(2) To respond to his appeal rather than his command (verses 8-9). He would not
look up 2 Peter 3:9.
command him, though as an apostle he had authority to do so. Rather he would
earnestly desire him to do what was right. 5. It emphasises the necessity of right spiritual relationships
(3) To do it for love’s sake (verse 9). What an appeal! Surely Philemon could not Onesimus got right with God – but he also got right with man (verse 12). It is
resist it! important that we should not only repent of our sins (Isaiah 55:7) and confess
(4) To do it for an old man (verse 9). Here was a powerful appeal to sentiment! them to God, where they are against Him (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9), and to
(5) To do it for a prisoner (verse 9). ‘Philemon you are free…I am not!’ men, where they are against them (James 5:16) – but that we should make
(6) To do it for one who was now his son (verse 10). ‘He has been truly born again restitution (Luke 19:8; Acts 16:33)! How do you stand in regard to this? We,
since you saw him last.’ who are forgiven, are to forgive – look up Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 7:36-50.
(7) To do it for one who was saved through Paul’s affliction (verse 10).
Could he fail to respond to this touching appeal? This leads us to notice a 6. It vividly pictures the whole scheme of redemption
second value in the letter:- (1) ‘As Paul found Onesimus wandering from his master’s house, so the Lord Jesus
found us wandering from God…’ (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:25).
2. It gives us an insight into Paul’s character (2) ‘As Paul pleaded for the restoration of Onesimus, asking that what he owed might
It tells us the kind of man Paul was. For instance:- be placed to his account, so the Lord acts as our Advocate with the Father, having
(1) Paul, ‘a prisoner’ (verse 1). He was a man of conviction who was willing to suffer borne our sins’ (Isaiah 53:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:1).
for the gospel. (3) ‘As Philemon received Onesimus on Paul’s account, so God receives us on account
(2) ‘A prisoner of Christ Jesus’ (verse 1). Although Paul was a prisoner of Nero, of what Christ is and of what He has done for us’ (Ephesians 1:6).
primarily he was a prisoner of Christ. He was His bondslave – look up Exodus 21:5-
6. 7. It gives us a lesson on the fruitfulness of affliction
Paul was in prison, and he might have said, ‘This is the end of my ministry!’
Was it? Look at verse 10, where Paul says Onesimus ‘became my son while I
was in chains’. In other words, he (Paul) tells us that God made him fruitful in
the furnace of affliction – look up Genesis 41:52; Philippians 1:12-13.
WORDS OF LIFE MINISTRIES
PO Box 334, EASTLEIGH, SO53 2UB, UK
[Link]