PHILEMON
The Opening Statements
A. This book is an example of a private letter, so common in the first century Greco-Roman world. It probably fit on one papyrus sheet (3rd John). It is uncertain to whom it is primarily addressed:
1. Philemon...
2. Apphia and Archippus (Colossians 4:17..."Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." (NASB)) or...
3. in some sense, the entire house church.
B. This letter provides a window into
1. the pastoral methods of the Apostle Paul
2. the home churches of the first century
Romans 16:5..."...also {greet} the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia." (NASB)
1st Corinthians 10:19..."What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?" (NASB)
Colossians 4:15..."Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house." (NASB)
C. Christianity was already radically changing the social milieu of the Mediterranean world. Social barriers to the gospel were falling
1st Corinthians 12:1..."Now concerning spiritual {gifts,} brethren, I do not want you to be unaware." (NASB)
Galatians 3:28..."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." (NASB)
Colossians 3:11..."...{a renewal} in which there is no {distinction between} Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all." (NASB)
1. Philemon...
2. Apphia and Archippus (Colossians 4:17..."Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." (NASB)) or...
3. in some sense, the entire house church.
B. This letter provides a window into
1. the pastoral methods of the Apostle Paul
2. the home churches of the first century
Romans 16:5..."...also {greet} the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia." (NASB)
1st Corinthians 10:19..."What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?" (NASB)
Colossians 4:15..."Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house." (NASB)
C. Christianity was already radically changing the social milieu of the Mediterranean world. Social barriers to the gospel were falling
1st Corinthians 12:1..."Now concerning spiritual {gifts,} brethren, I do not want you to be unaware." (NASB)
Galatians 3:28..."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." (NASB)
Colossians 3:11..."...{a renewal} in which there is no {distinction between} Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all." (NASB)
The Author
A. The personal nature of the letter convinces most readers that the author was Paul, the Apostle.
B. Philemon and Colossians are closely related
1. Same origin, people give greetings, and closing
2. Tychicus delivered the letter of Colossians and traveled with Onesimus (Colossians 4:7,9). If Philemon is Pauline, so is Colossians (which has been doubted by several modern scholars).
C. It is listed among Paul’s letters by both the early heretic Marcion (who came to Rome in 140's A.D.) and the list of canonical books, the Muratorian Fragment (written in Rome between 180 – 200 A.D.).
B. Philemon and Colossians are closely related
1. Same origin, people give greetings, and closing
2. Tychicus delivered the letter of Colossians and traveled with Onesimus (Colossians 4:7,9). If Philemon is Pauline, so is Colossians (which has been doubted by several modern scholars).
C. It is listed among Paul’s letters by both the early heretic Marcion (who came to Rome in 140's A.D.) and the list of canonical books, the Muratorian Fragment (written in Rome between 180 – 200 A.D.).
The Date
A. The date of this letter is linked to one of Paul’s imprisonments (Ephesus, Philippi, Caesarea, or Rome). A Roman imprisonment fits the facts of Acts the best.
B. Once Rome is assumed to be the place of imprisonment, the question arises—which time? Paul was in jail in the early 60's and this is recorded in Acts. However, he was released and wrote the Pastoral letters (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus) and was then rearrested and killed before June 9, 68 A.D.(Nero’s suicide). The best educated guess for the writing of Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon is Paul’s first imprisonment, early 60's.
C. Tychicus, along with Onesimus, took the letters of Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon to Asia Minor. Later (possibly several years later) Ephaphroditus, recovered from his physical illness, took the letter of Philippians back to his home church.
B. Once Rome is assumed to be the place of imprisonment, the question arises—which time? Paul was in jail in the early 60's and this is recorded in Acts. However, he was released and wrote the Pastoral letters (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus) and was then rearrested and killed before June 9, 68 A.D.(Nero’s suicide). The best educated guess for the writing of Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon is Paul’s first imprisonment, early 60's.
C. Tychicus, along with Onesimus, took the letters of Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon to Asia Minor. Later (possibly several years later) Ephaphroditus, recovered from his physical illness, took the letter of Philippians back to his home church.
The Occasion for The Letter
A. Philemon was a slave owner in Colossae. He was a convert of Paul, probably while Paul was ministering in Ephesus.
B. Onesimus was a runaway slave of Philemon. He was also a convert of Paul, while in prison at Rome (61 – 63 A.D.). It is uncertain how they met.
C. Epaphras was a believer from Asia Minor and the founder of the Churches in the Lycus River Valley, (Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis). He brought word to Paul in prison about the heresy in Colossae and about Philemon’s faithfulness.
D. Tychicus was the bearer of Paul’s three letters to this area: Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon.
Colossians 4:7 – 9..."As to all my affairs, Tychicus, {our} beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. {For} I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, {our} faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your {number.} They will inform you about the whole situation here." (NASB)
Ephesians 6:21 – 22..."But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts." (NASB)
Onesimus also went back with him to face his master (v. 11). Philemon is one of two private letters preserved in the New Testament (3rd John). About fifty years later (110 A.D.) Ignatius, on his way to Rome to be martyred, wrote a letter (“To the Ephesians” 1:3) to the bishop of Ephesus named Onesimus! It could have been this converted slave!
B. Onesimus was a runaway slave of Philemon. He was also a convert of Paul, while in prison at Rome (61 – 63 A.D.). It is uncertain how they met.
C. Epaphras was a believer from Asia Minor and the founder of the Churches in the Lycus River Valley, (Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis). He brought word to Paul in prison about the heresy in Colossae and about Philemon’s faithfulness.
D. Tychicus was the bearer of Paul’s three letters to this area: Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon.
Colossians 4:7 – 9..."As to all my affairs, Tychicus, {our} beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. {For} I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, {our} faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your {number.} They will inform you about the whole situation here." (NASB)
Ephesians 6:21 – 22..."But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts." (NASB)
Onesimus also went back with him to face his master (v. 11). Philemon is one of two private letters preserved in the New Testament (3rd John). About fifty years later (110 A.D.) Ignatius, on his way to Rome to be martyred, wrote a letter (“To the Ephesians” 1:3) to the bishop of Ephesus named Onesimus! It could have been this converted slave!
The Purpose of The Letter
A. It shows how Paul used his apostolic authority and pastoral encouragement.
B. It shows how Christianity made brothers and sisters out of slaves and slave owners, rich and poor! This truth would, in time, radically change the Roman Empire.
C. It shows Paul’s belief that he would be released from Roman imprisonment and return to Asia Minor.
B. It shows how Christianity made brothers and sisters out of slaves and slave owners, rich and poor! This truth would, in time, radically change the Roman Empire.
C. It shows Paul’s belief that he would be released from Roman imprisonment and return to Asia Minor.
The Outline
I. Greeting vv. 1-3
II. Thanksgiving and prayer for Philemon vv. 4-7
III. Plea for Onesimus vv. 8-21
A. Paul's appeal vv. 8-11
B. Paul's motives vv. 12-16
C. Paul's request v. 17
D. Paul's offer vv. 18-20
E. Paul's confidence v. 21
IV. Concluding matters vv. 22-25
II. Thanksgiving and prayer for Philemon vv. 4-7
III. Plea for Onesimus vv. 8-21
A. Paul's appeal vv. 8-11
B. Paul's motives vv. 12-16
C. Paul's request v. 17
D. Paul's offer vv. 18-20
E. Paul's confidence v. 21
IV. Concluding matters vv. 22-25