PHILEMON

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE FAITH

BACKGROUND

• The primary characters of the letter are Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus – Phlm. 1, 10.

• The letter to Philemon is an emotional appeal by Paul that Onesimus be forgiven and freed – vv. 10, 17, 21.

• The key concept being the application of the fellowship of the faith to the real life of a Christian – v. 6.

GREETING

• The writer of the letter identifies himself as Paul while he was yet in his first Roman imprisonment – v. 1.

• The primary recipient is Philemon, though Apphia, Archippus, and the church are also identified – vv. 1-2.

• As was his custom, Paul began with a greeting of grace and peace to the Christians – v. 3.

THANKSGIVING

• In nearly all of his letters, Paul would begin with his thanks for the recipients – v. 4; see Eph. 1:16; Col. 1:3.

• The reason Paul was thankful for Philemon was due to Philemon’s love and faith – Phlm. 5, 7.

• Yet, there was also purpose motivating Paul’s prayers for Philemon—hoping for application of the principle of fellowship – v. 6.

PETITION

• Though Paul had the right to command Philemon to do what was right, he instead implored him – vv. 8-9.

• The appeal was for Onesimus, a runaway slave who had belonged to Philemon – vv. 10-11, 15-16.

• Yet, after Onesimus’ conversion, Paul had hesitantly determined to send Onesimus back to Philemon so that wrongs could be righted – vv. 12-14.

PETITION

• Paul then employed various methods of appeal to encourage Philemon to forgive and free Onesimus.– Paul appealed to the possibility that divine

providence had directed the entire situation – vv. 15-16.

– Paul appealed to the fellowship that he and Philemon shared and encouraged similar demonstration toward Onesimus – v. 17.

PETITION

• Paul then employed various methods of appeal to encourage Philemon to forgive and free Onesimus.– Paul appealed to the guarantee of future

restitution for the previous loss suffered from Onesimus – vv. 18-20; see v. 7.

– Paul appealed to the confidence that he had in the loving, faithful, and good nature of Philemon – v. 21; see vv. 5-7.

PETITION

• Paul then employed various methods of appeal to encourage Philemon to forgive and free Onesimus.– Paul appealed to the expectation of a future

visit in which he would lodge with Philemon (and review his obedience?) – v. 22.

GREETING

• Paul brings Philemon to a close with personal greetings sent from his fellow workers – vv. 23-24.

• Paul concludes with a final benediction for the spirit of all the recipients of the letter – v. 25.

APPLICATION

• The faith creates a fellowship between believers, though we are oftentimes very different from one another – vv. 1-2, 6, 16-17; see Gal. 3:26-29.

• The fellowship of the faith obligates us to love other Christians, continually finding opportunities to refresh their hearts – Phlm. 5-7, 20.– We refresh the hearts of others when we

use our hearts to sympathize – Rom. 12:15.

APPLICATION

• The faith creates a fellowship between believers, though we are oftentimes very different from one another – vv. 1-2, 6, 16-17; see Gal. 3:26-29.

• The fellowship of the faith obligates us to love other Christians, continually finding opportunities to refresh their hearts – Phlm. 5-7, 20.– We refresh the hearts of others when we

use our mouths to edify – Eph. 4:29.

APPLICATION

• The faith creates a fellowship between believers, though we are oftentimes very different from one another – vv. 1-2, 6, 16-17; see Gal. 3:26-29.

• The fellowship of the faith obligates us to love other Christians, continually finding opportunities to refresh their hearts – Phlm. 5-7, 20.– We refresh the hearts of others when we

use our hands to serve – Gal. 5:13.

APPLICATION

• The fellowship of the faith leads us to forgive and free those who have wronged us—even when we would rather not – Phlm. 15-21; see Col. 3:12-15.