Title: The Book of Philemon
Contents
Lesson 53 The Book of Philemon (John 17)
I. Author, Recipient and Date of Record
The author is Paul. Phm 1:1, 2 testifies that this book is a letter from Paul to the Saints in Philemon and Colossae. “Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved and co-worker, and/and to Abbia our sister, and to Archippus, our soldier with us, and to the church in your house.”
The record date is A.D. It's around 62.
The recording location is a Roman prison. Some speculate that it was written in Ephesus or Caesarea, but the contents and traditions of Acts support the Roman record theory. Like the other prison epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians), it was written during the first Roman imprisonment (A.D. 61-63). Phm 22 shows that Paul is sure of his release.
II. Theme: The book of Philemon describes Jesus Christ as the Mediator and Lord of the Atonement. The theme of the book of Philemon is “Forgiveness and Love of the Saints.” The book of Philemon beautifully describes the parable of the forgiveness the saints find in Christ. Onesimus committed a great sin (verses 11, 18), but see Paul's love in his defense (verses 10-17). Paul sets aside his rights (v. 8) and resolves to pay the debt on Onesimus' behalf (vs. 18, 19). By Philemon's gracious act, Onesimus was restored and entered into a new friendship (verses 15, 16). Onesimus was cursed by the law, but he was saved by grace. A believer who was originally a sinner but became a child of God by the grace of Christ must practice the forgiveness and love that Christ showed to everyone.
Ⅲ. Overview (purpose of record and characteristics)
The purpose of writing the book of Philemon is
First, to praise Philemon's faith (1:1-7)
Second, to ask Philemon to forgive Onesimus (1:8-14)
Third, to create conditions for Onesimus to become an evangelist (1:15-22).
IV. content study
The book of Philemon is the shortest letter Paul wrote to Philemon. Onesimus, who was a slave at Philemon's house in Colossae, then steals or commits some wrong to his master, and then fled to Rome (Rome was the center of politics, economy, and culture at that time, and many people gathered here). I came to believe in Christ (verse 10).
Onesimus, who lived in guilt and fear as a runaway slave, heard the gospel from the Apostle Paul and accepted the Lord, and his outlook on life changed and he wanted to become a devoted servant of Paul. Onesimus was a real help to Paul, but both knew that Onesimus had to return to Philemon as a Christian. Finally, Paul wrote a letter to the Colossians and delivered them to Tychicus (Colossians to the church, Philemon to individuals). Paul decided to send Onesimus to Colossae with Tychicus in consideration of the rulers trying to seize slaves (Col 4:7-9; Phm 1:12) * Colossians is a twin epistle similar in content to Ephesians.
Philemon provided a place of worship (1:2), was kind to the other saints (1:5-7), and was the leader of his son Archippus (Colossians 4:17). The church of Colossae, with Philemon the minister as its main axis, was located in Asia Minor, about 160 km east of Ephesus, and was in decline commercially at the time.
Philemon appears to have been converted when Paul preached at the profession of Tyrannus in Ephesus. Paul personally appeals to his disciple Philemon, who is wealthy and in a leadership position. Sending Onesimus, who was legally subject to the death penalty if he returned to his master, he demanded that he be 'excellent as a slave and receive him as a beloved brother' (verse 16) without punishing him for the principle of Christian brotherhood. At the same time, Paul suggested that Onesimus owe him personally. He deals with the issue of slavery, but does not order its abolition. It only mentions that slavery never became the fruit of Christ.
In this letter we see Paul the courteous, loving, holy, unselfish man in his private letter to the individual. Paul's attitude toward solving the problem of Onesimus, who committed a mortal sin, is said to be an evangelical model for social reform.
1. Greetings (verses 1-3)
2. Praise for Philemon's love and faith (verses 4-7)
3. Intercession for Onesimus (vv. 8-17)
4. Philemon's confidence in his obedience (vv. 18-22)
5. Greetings and closing remarks (verses 23-25)
Ⅴ. main scriptures
(Pm 16-18) 16 From now on he will be with you not as a servant, but more than a servant, a beloved brother. Especially if he is so to me, isn't it more so to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord? 17 Therefore, if you consider me a friend, welcome him as you welcome me. 18 If he has done anything wrong to you or owes you anything, put it in front of me.
Ⅵ. Faith and its application to life
1. Paul Philemon What would you do if I were Paul in the Onesimus triangle?
- Paul's practice of love was rationally persuading the strong by respecting and serving the weak while observing the laws and customs of society.
2. The theme of the book of Philemon is forgiveness and love. Paul like Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Let's examine the Lord's forgiveness and love in the relationship between the Lord and the disciple Peter (John 21).
I love Onesimus as my own body, and I beg Philemon to forgive Onesimus and send Onesimus to Paul as a co-worker.
3. Let's consider Paul's personality in relation to Onesimus and Philemon.
On the principle of co-operation (in dealing with Onesimus the slave)
- Recognize your talents (beneficial to me and you, verse 11) and make them co-workers (my servants, verse 12)
(Inclusive leadership ① I like you ② I need you ③ Let's be friends)
- Treat and serve as free people (warm heart) - Verses 10, 16, 17
In doing business (in dealing with Philemon, who has the possession of a servant)
- Make the work clear (verse 12)
- The calculation was done correctly (verses 14, 18, 19)
- Conduct transparent and clear administrative processing (respecting laws and procedures)
- Humility and kindness (verse 14)
4. What can we learn from Paul's attitude toward co-workers?
(Paul is a positive person who finds out the strengths of others, praises them, and uses them. He gives unrestrained trust and respect to his brothers and sisters working together. ” Etc. Paul's expression is so. In Phm 1:1, Paul includes Timothy in the list of senders, and Timothy, like his son, is called brother.)
VII. Prayer
Lord of love, forgiveness, and peace, please help us to solve the suffering of our neighbors who are struggling with problems, conflicts, and guilt with the principle of love and forgiveness that the Lord gives us. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.