## The Epistle Of Paul To Philemon

## Philemon 1:1-25

I. Background of the Letter

- The Epistle to Philemon is the shortest of Paul's letters.
- It consists of only 25 verses and is the only private letter of Paul's that has been included in the Canon of Scripture.
- It was written about AD 64 from Rome, where Paul was in prison, but on account of his age, and possibly his good behaviour, he was allowed to live in his own lodgings, chained to a soldier - look up Acts 28:30-31.
- What is the story behind this letter? · It was written to Philemon, a wealthy Christian who lived in Colosse, and who was a convert of Paul's, with his wife Apphia and his son Archippus.
- Among their many slaves was one named Onesimus, who it would appear had robbed his master and run away to Rome - only to come into touch with Paul who had led his master to Christ!
- The result of this meeting was that Onesimus became a Christian, confessed his sin and sought Paul's help in bringing about a reconciliation with Philemon, his former master.
- Paul then wrote this wonderful letter to Philemon, entreating him to forgive Onesimus and to receive him back.

II. What do we learn from this epistle?

A. It is a beautiful model in the art of letter writing

1. Notice Paul's tact, grace, skill and appeal.

2. Some letters ought never to be written, but this one is different.

3. Imagine Philemon reading it and then handing it to his wife to read!

B. Note Paul's persuasive appeal to Philemon in v7-10

1. To put into action again the love that he had so often shown to the saints. (v7-8)

2. To respond to his entreaty rather than his command. (v 8-9).

a. He would not command him, though as an apostle he had authority to do so.

b. Rather he would earnestly desire him to do that which was right.

3. To do it for love's sake (v 9).

a. What an appeal!

b. Surely Philemon and Apphia could not resist it!

4. To do it for an old man (v 9).

5. To do it for a prisoner (v 9).

6. To do it for one who was now his son (v10).

7. To do it for one who was saved through Paul's afflication (v10)

C. It gives us an insight into Paul's character telling us the kind of man Paul was.

1. Paul, 'a prisoner' (verse 1). He was a man of conviction who was willing to suffer for the gospel.

2. 'A prisoner of Jesus Christ' (verse 1). Although Paul was a prisoner of Nero, primarily he was a prisoner of Christ. He was His bondslave.

(EXO 21:5-6) "AND IF THE SERVANT SHALL PLAINLY SAY, I LOVE MY MASTER, MY WIFE, AND MY CHILDREN; I WILL NOT GO OUT FREE: {6} THEN HIS MASTER SHALL BRING HIM UNTO THE JUDGES; HE SHALL ALSO BRING HIM TO THE DOOR, OR UNTO THE DOOR POST; AND HIS MASTER SHALL BORE HIS EAR THROUGH WITH AN AWL; AND HE SHALL SERVE HIM FOR EVER."

3. 'And Timothy our brother' (verse 1). It is a mark of true greatness that Paul mentions Timothy here.

(ROM 12:10) "BE KINDLY AFFECTIONED ONE TO ANOTHER WITH BROTHERLY LOVE; IN HONOUR PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER;"

4. 'Unto Philemon our dearly beloved ... and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus' (vs 1-2)

a. Paul had a great affection for his friends.

b. Philemon was his brother in Christ and his son in the faith.

(1 JOHN 3:14) "WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE, BECAUSE WE LOVE THE BRETHREN. HE THAT LOVETH NOT HIS BROTHER ABIDETH IN DEATH."

5. 'I thank my God . . . ' (verse 4). Paul was a thankful man who practiced what he preached!

(PHIL 4:6) "BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING; BUT IN EVERY THING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD."

6. 'Making mention of thee always in my prayers' (v4) Here is a significant reference to Paul's prayer-life and prayer-list.

7. 'Prepare me also a lodging; for I trust (v22) Paul was a man who trusted God.

III. It illustrates the power of God at work.

A. We see His providential power at work.

1. When Onesimus ran away from Philemon to Rome (a distance of over a thousand miles as the crow flies) he fell into the hands of Paul, of all people!

2. Here is encouragement for some of us who may wonder whether our loved ones and friends can ever be brought under the sound of the gospel and brought to know the Lord.

B. We see God's power in answering prayer.

1. Did Philemon, Apphia and Archippus pray for Onesimus?

2. Does God answer prayer? He does!

(MARK 11:24) " THEREFORE I SAY UNTO YOU, WHAT THINGS SOEVER YE DESIRE, WHEN YE PRAY, BELIEVE THAT YE RECEIVE THEM, AND YE SHALL HAVE THEM."

C. We see God's power in the transformation of a life.

1. Onesimus was completely changed when he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Notice that Paul speaks of him as:

a. 'my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten . . .' (v10)

b. 'unprofitable, but now profitable' (v11)

c. 'a brother beloved' (verse 16). All this tells us of the power of the gospel to transform sinners into saints.

(ROM 1:16) "FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH; TO THE JEW FIRST, AND ALSO TO THE GREEK."

IV. It reminds us that no-one is beyond redemption

A. Do we believe that?

B. Never give anyone up.

C. In answer to prayer anyone, anywhere, may be brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(2 PET 3:9) "THE LORD IS NOT SLACK CONCERNING HIS PROMISE, AS SOME MEN COUNT SLACKNESS; BUT IS LONGSUFFERING TO US-WARD, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE."

V. It emphasises the necessity of right spiritual relationships.

A. Onesimus got right with God - but he also got right with man (v12).

1. It is important that we should not only repent of our sins (Isa. 55:7) and confess them to God, where they are against Him (Pro. 28:13; 1 John 1:9), and to men, where our sins are against them (James 5:16)

2. But that we should make restitution (Luke 19:8; Acts 16:33)!

3. We, who are forgiven, are to forgive - look up Matt. 18:21-35; Luke 7:36-50 - love forgives!

VI. It vividly pictures the whole scheme of redemption

A. 'As Paul found Onesimus wandering from his master's house, so the Lord Jesus found us wandering from God . . .' (Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 2:25).

B. 'As Paul pleaded for the restoration of Onesimus, asking that what he owned might be placed to his account, so the Lord Jesus acts as our Advocate with the Father, having born our sins' (Isa. 53:5-6; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 2:1).

C. 'As Philemon received Onesimus on Paul's account, so God receives us on account of what Christ is and of what He has done for us' (Eph.1:6).

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 was 'begotten in my bonds'. In other words, Paul tells us that God made him fruitful even in the midst of trials. Joseph said the same thing.

(GEN 41:52) "AND THE NAME OF THE SECOND CALLED HE EPHRAIM: FOR GOD HATH CAUSED ME TO BE FRUITFUL IN THE LAND OF MY AFFLICTION."