A Tale of Two CitiesPhilemon 1-25

Chapter 13By Warren W. Wiersbe

Paul in Rome and Philemon in ColossaeHuman link between them was Onesimus, the runaway slaveThe law permitted a master to execute a rebellious slave, but Philemon was a Christian.Dilemmas!Letter of Philemon was carried by Tychicus and Onesimus (Col. 4:7-9)

Paul, The Beloved Friend (1-7)•Paul didn’t found the church in Colossae nor visited it (Col. 1:1-8; 2:1)•Church in Colossae started in a result of his ministry in Ephesus.– Epaphras was the founding pastor (23)– Met in the home of Philemon and his wife,

Apphia, & Archippus, their son?

•New Testament churches met in homes (Rom. 16:5, 23; I Cor. 16:19)

• Paul won Philemon to Christ (19) and Philemon became a blessing to other Christians (7).

• Paul opened the letters with word of thanks and praise to God except Galatians

• Philemon as a man of love an faith, both toward God and God’s people.– His love was practical– He “refreshed” the saints through his word and

work

• Paul prayed for Philemon to have effective witness and deeper understanding of all he had in Jesus Christ.

Paul, the Beseeching Intercessor (8-16)• 60 million slaves in Roman Empire– The average slave sold for 500 denarii (one

denarius was a day’s wage for a common laborer)– Educated and skilled slave was high as 50,000

denarii.– The master could free a slave or a slave could buy

his freedom (Acts 22:28).

• If a runaway slave, he is on a “wanted” list. Many masters were humane and reasonable although some were cruel.

• Appeals to Philemon1.Philemon’s reputation as a man who brought

blessing to others (8)2.Paul wanted to give him an opportunity to

refresh the apostle's heart since Philemon was a “refreshing” believer– Paul appealed in Christian love (9)

3. Onesimus’ conversion (10)– No longer a slave– Paul’s son in the faith– Philemon’s Christian brother– Doesn’t altered Onesimus’ legal position as a slave

4. Onesimus was valuable to Paul in his minstry in Rome (11-14)– “Onesimus” means profitable while Philemon

mean an affection or one who is kind.

5. Providence of God (15-16)– Onesimus departed so he can come back– God is in control

Paul, The Burdened Partner (17-25)– Partner-koinonia: to have in common• Communication (6) means fellowship

– “Receive him as myself”– “Put that (whatever he stole from you) on my

account”– “The way you treat Onesimus is the way you treat

me”

– He is to me as my own heart

• An illustration of what Jesus Christ has done for us as believers– “We are accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6)– “Clothed in His righteous” (2 Cor. 5:2)

• Receive in Philemon 17 means to receive in one’s family circle.

• Love must pay a price and God– Grace is love that pays in price

• Doctrine of imputation: putting in an account.– When Christ died on the cross, my sins were put

on His account– His righteousness was put on my account when I

trusted Him as my Savior

• Being accepted in Christ and acceptable to Christ– In for salvation and to Christ in daily life (Rom.

12:2; 14:18; 2 Cor. 5:9; Heb. 12:28)

• Philemon 19 – Paul led Philemon to faith in Christ

– Philemon and Onesimus were spiritual brothers, and had the same spiritual father – Paul

• Paul didn’t condemn slavery in any letter– First; the message of Christianity is primarily

individuals and only secondarily to society– Second; it acts on spiritual and moral sentiments,

and only afterwards and consequently on deeds and institutions

– Third; it hates violence, and trust wholly to enlightened conscience

– Alexander Maclaren

• Difficulty of crusade against slavery – Christian are the salt of the earth and light of the

world (Matt. 5:13-16)• Joseph in Egypt• Esther and Nehemiah in Persia• Daniel in Babylon

– Political government structure• Change from within

– You: plural; visit (22)

• Epaphras – pastor of the church– Dedication to Christ and Paul

• John Mark (Col. 4:10)– Paul was grateful and forgave (2 Tim. 4:11)

• Aristarchus from Thessalonica • Demas – my fellow worker (24)– Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present

world (2 Tim. 4:10)– John Mark failed but was restored

• Luke – beloved physician (Col. 4:14)• Paul’s benediction – Grace of God