Book of PhilemonNew Testament Workshop Morrison Heights Baptist Church January 31, 2021

OverviewThe name “Paul” is the first word, appears three times in the letter (vv. 1, 9, 19); equal to Colossians (1:1, 23; 4:18), only exceeded by 1 Corinthians (1:1, 12, 13 [2x]; 3:4, 5, 22; 16:21).

Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus (vv. 1-2)

Author

Philemon is one of four “Prison Epistles.” Paul mentions his

imprisonment five times (vv. 1, 9-10, 13, 23).

New Testament scholars debate the location of the jail: Ephesus,

Caesarea, or Rome.

Recipients

Overview“Apphia may have been the wife or some close relative of Philemon. The way she is mentioned in the letter and also tradition support the idea that she was his wife. . . . It has been supposed, and tradition supports the idea, that Archippus was a son of Philemon, but there is nothing in the letter to indicate this.”

Wording and grammar indicate that the letter was addressed primarily

to Philemon.

Recipients

Ray Frank Robbins, The Broadman Bible Commentary

He is the first of three recipients named.

Thirteen occurrences of “you,” eight occurrences of “your,” one occurrence

of “yourself,” and two occurrences of “brother” are singular.

Nine verbs are 2nd person singular (vv. 5, 15, 17 [2x], 18, 19, 21, 22).

OverviewColossae Connection: Archippus (Col. 4:17) and Onesimus (Col. 4:9)

Recipients

Colossae no longer exists. An earthquake

destroyed the town in A.D. 61.

Colossae was approximately 100 miles east of

Ephesus; much nearer, however, to Hierapolis

and Laodicea in the Lycus River Valley (Col. 2:1;

4:13, 15-16). Smaller than its two neighbors, the

town straddled the river twelve miles upstream.

Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New

Testament

Modern-Day Turkey Archibald M. Hunter, Introducing the New Testament

OverviewOnesimus, a slave, stole from Philemon (vv. 17-19), his master, and fled. As a fugitive, he met and befriended a prisoner named Paul. That friendship was the Apostle’s opportunity to share the gospel, leading Onesimus to Christ (vv. 10-16).

Onesimus met and befriended Paul—of all people, his master’s friend. What are the odds? Years earlier, Paul had shared the gospel with Philemon,

leading him to Christ (v. 19). Déjà vu all over again!

Backstory

“Truth is stranger than fiction.”

OverviewTo Make Amends: Restitution and Reconciliation (vv. 10-20)

MYSTERY: How would Philemon, a godly man, respond? Would Paul’s letter be persuasive? Read Colossians!

Occasion

With Paul’s letter, Onesimus returned to Philemon, a decision

fraught with peril; i.e., severe deserved punishment.

“burning, branding, maiming, or even death.”Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough, Encountering the New Testament

“Runaways were branded on their foreheads with the letter F

(for fugitivus, i.e., runaway) with a hot iron.”

Ray Frank Robbins, The Broadman Bible Commentary

Content1-7 Praise for Philemon 8-21 Plea for Onesimus 22-25 Preparation for Paul

Saying “No” to Paul would not have been easy. He could press without being pushy; he could prod but not nag; he could propose without actually asking. The proof is Philemon.

Outline

The Daily Walk Bible (Walk Thru the Bible Ministries)

Plea for Onesimus

The Power of Suggestion (vv. 8-9, 14)

Using Wit: The Pun (vv. 10-11)

Calling in a Favor ALMOST (v. 19)

Content The Old and New Testaments regulated the institution of slavery.

Dilemma: Biblical Silence on Slavery

“The slavery of Judaism was not the cruel system of Greece, Rome, and later

nations. The prime thought is service.”

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Think economics, NOT class oppression or racial hatred.

In Israel, freedom was an option.

a. Redemption (Lev. 25:48-55) f. Indifference (Ex. 21:7-11; Dt. 21:14)

b. Sabbath Year (Ex. 21:2-4) g. Restitution (Ex. 22:1-4)

c. Jubilee Year (Lev. 25:40-43) h. Master’s Death (Gen. 15:2)

d. Injury (Ex. 21:26) i. Direct Command of God

e. Escape (Dt. 23:15-16; 1 Kg. 2:39) (Jer. 34:8-10)

In Israel, a slave could—and would—choose NOT to be free (Ex. 21:2-6; Dt.

15:12-17).

Content Neither the Old Testament or New Testament abolished slavery.

Dilemma: Biblical Silence on Slavery

Subject of Jesus’ Teachings

SEE also Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-4:1; 1 Timothy 6:2;

1 Peter 2:18-20

“Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy

of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine may not be spoken

against.” (1 Tim. 6:1)

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is

neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28; SEE

also Col. 3:10-11)

Matthew 10:24-25; 13:24-30; 18:23-35; 20:20-28; 21:33-41; 22:1-14; 23:10-11; 24:42-

51; 25:14-30; Mark 9:33-37; 10:35-45; 12:1-12; 13:33-37; Luke 12:35-48; 14:16-24;

15:11-32; 17:7-10; 19:11-27; 20:9-18; 22:24-27; John 8:34-36; 13:16; 15:15, 20

Content

GOD targets the individual.

SLAVERY

GOVERNMENT targets the institution.