Philemon

it’s only one chapter

Paul is writing to Philemon

Paul has several positive side notes, but the main point is Paul is writing to Philemon to take Onesimus (Philemon’s slave), back as a brother instead of a slave.

verses 1-3

'“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and worker- also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier- and to the church that meets in your home:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Thanksgiving and Prayer

I always thank my God, as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul- an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus - that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful to both you and to me.

I am sending him- who is my very heart- back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever-no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

-Onesimus converted to Christ, Onesimus probably prayed to Christ to be set free. Christ is using Paul to send Philemon a letter to set him free. God has told you.

so, if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back- not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even better than I ask.

God is making sure Onesimus is free and cancels out his debt to Philemon.

Philemon did indeed accept Onesimus as a brother instead of a slave. God made sure of it.

Paul’s faith (goal + works of God and human)

And one thing more, Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

who was Onesimus?

Onesimus was a first-century Phrygian slave who ran away from his Christian master, Philemon, in Colossae, later converting to Christianity under the guidance of the Apostle Paul in Rome. Paul sent him back to Philemon with a letter urging him to accept Onesimus no longer as a slave, but as a "beloved brother".

Onesimus converted to Christianity while Paul was in chains (Philemon 1: 10)