2. Philemon Paul Rome Asia Minor third
Philemon is a personal letter written by the Apostle ______ while he was in prison in _______.
Philemon and these 3 Books are referred to as the “prison epistles”: ___________, ____________, ____________.
This letter is addressed to Philemon, who lived in ________ ________, in or near the city of Colossae.
Philemon was a convert among both residents of Ephesus and many visitors to the city during Paul’s _______ missionary journey.
Paul
Rome
Ephesians
Colossians
Philippians
Asia
Minor
For more than two years during his third missionary journey, Paul ministered in Asia Minor among the people of Ephesus. This was a successful period for the apostle to the Gentiles, who saw many converts among both residents of Ephesus and visitors to the city. One of the visitors converted under Paul’s teaching was a man named Philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of Colossae.
third

3. Paul’s third missionary trip (as recorded in the Book of Acts) is when he returned to Asia Minor and Greece around AD 53-58; here is where Philemon was converted when visiting Ephesus. Paul stayed nearly 3 years in Ephesus.

4. Historical Background
The City Of Colossae:
Colossae was a city of southwestern Phrygia in Asia Minor, not far from the rivers Lycos and Meander. In antiquity Colossae was on the trade route (from Ephesus to the Euphrates River) heading east and was a very important city.
Colossae was famous for its fine wool and colorful dyes.
During the time of the Roman Empire the road system changed and neighboring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis became more important.
Colossae was a bustling city in Phrygia, in the southwest region of Asia Minor. In the time of the apostles it had seen its better days. Once famed for its soft wool and colorful dyes, commercial competition had muted its influence. 

5. Map of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) showing the town of Colosse.
The distance between Colossae and Rome is about 1200 miles.

6. Historical Background
The City Of Colossae:
There was a church there, perhaps established by Epaphras (Colossians 1:2; 4:12).
For church services, saints met at the ________ of Philemon.
Apparently Philemon was ___________, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a ________ owner.
home
Philemon and his family are wealthy Christians.  Philemon was at first a wealthy man who owned property and slaves, and then he became a Christian. Slavery was common in the Roman world; it was a longstanding, legal institution common in the age.
Wealthy families with large homes typically owned slaves.
This leads us to the person of importance in our Bible study today.
But first…
Have you ever not understood your purpose in life?
Have you ever attempted to trust in anything other than Jesus in your life? (things, positions, others, church attendance)
Have you ever tried to run from your problems?
Then, you have something in common with the person of interest in our Bible study today.
wealthy
slave

7. Philemon, 1-7 (NKJ)
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

8. Philemon, 8-16 (NKJ)
8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

9. Philemon, (NKJ)
17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

10. There are only 2 places you will find the name “Onesimus
There are only 2 places you will find the name “Onesimus.” They are in Colossians 4:9 and Philemon 10.
In Colossians 4:9, we learn that Onesimus came to visit Paul while he was in prison in Rome. He may have been seeking Paul, but God was providentially seeking Onesimus.
Colossians 4:7-9
7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
Paul often identified himself with the slave-class of society, when he described himself as a bond-servant, and indentured slave, of Christ, which alludes to one of the two ways a person usually became a slave:
The first way to become a slave was to be captured in battle. We read about such in the Old Testament when a Jewish girl is
captured by the Syrians and taken as a slave for Naaman, where she brought her faith in God and healing to that house.
The other way to become a slave was to find yourself or your family so deep in debt that you contracted your service for a specific length of time. And when your time of service was up, you were free from your obligation. Under Jewish law, slaves had to be freed after seven years of service. And while they served, they had many of the same rights and privileges as other members of the family whom they served. After all, said God, remember when you yourselves were slaves, building Pharaoh's cities in Egypt.
We don't know how or why Onesimus was a slave. Unlike the way slavery was practiced in this country 150 years ago, one did not automatically become a slave because one was born to a parent in slavery. Whether he was captured in war, or he was working off the payment of a debt, we do not know.
Regardless, Onesimus was driven by his sense of injustice that had been perpetrated against him. And given the opportunity to steal and run, he found ample justification in his own mind for doing just that, just as we often do when we are faced with unfair circumstances and we remedy the situation by our own clever, less than honest means.
Onesimus didn't live in Israel. He was not protected by Jewish law, but was subject to Roman law, which meant for his crimes of stealing and escape, he could be punished with death.

11. Outline of Philemon Paul’s Preamble (Greeting/Salutation): verses 1-3
Paul’s Praise (Thanksgiving and Prayer:
verses 4-7 A GREAT CHRISTIAN MAN - Philemon
Paul’s Plea (Request): verses 8-20
A MAN GREATLY CHANGED - Onesimus
Paul’s Purpose (Conclusion):
verses 21-25
We learn in verses 1-7 that Philemon was a committed Christian and laborer for Christ. He rooted his family in Christ. Apphia was apparently his wife and Archippus his son. Note that Archippus is addressed as a fellowsoldier of Paul. This must mean at some point in his life he had actually served with Paul on some mission campaign. He was apparently the pastor of the Colossian church (Colossians 4:17). Philemon was so committed to Christ that he opened his home to the church. Remember, the early church did not have church sanctuaries to meet in; they met in home of faithful and committed believers.
Our lesson will focus mostly on verses 10-18, in the outline section titled, “Paul’s Plea (Request).”
This is a picture of a man greatly changed – changed by Christ.

12. 15 For perhaps he departed for a while,
18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything,
Colossians 4:9 - “with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.”
In verse 15 we read that Onesimus departed for a while: he ran away.
Verse 18 implies that Onesimus owes Philemon something.
Colossians 4:9 – Philemon is from Colossea. If Onesimus ran from Colossea to Rome this is a long journey; 1200 miles. He would need money to travel by land and by sea. Not a short distance and not a cheap trip.
Rome would have been a great place for Onesimus to get lost in the crowds and escape being detected. There were about 2 million people in Rome at the time. He could have started a new life here. He was running away as a coward and a loser. He probably had to continue a lifestyle of stealing to travel to Rome and to survive. Sin has a way of becoming a habit in our lives especially if we’re doing something wrong and gotten away with it. Is this how Onesimus met up with Paul? According to Acts 28, Paul was on house arrest in Rome. Was Onesimus caught in the act of theft and put in the same prison with Paul? Paul had been there for some time preaching the Gospel to fellow inmates and to guards. Now, it all made sense to Onesimus. He had been running and looking to money, and the city of Rome for his identity, not realizing that Jesus was his only real hope and freedom.

13. Philemon 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 
11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.
13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. happening here.”
16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Colossians 4:9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
In verse 10 we learn that Paul leads Onesimus to Christ. He became born again while in prison.
Verse 11: “He once was unprofitable, now he is profitable to you and to me.” The name Onesimus means “profitable” or “useful.” Paul uses a play on words here with his name. He was once a thief, dishonest, and useless (a loser), now he is useful (profitable). He is now not only Onesimus by name, he is Onesimus by nature. God has turned his life around. Paul even writes in verse 13 that he wishes he could keep him there for himself. He now has value and purpose. Paul has been an encouragement and minister to him.
Jesus took the life of a loser and gave him new life. Paul wrote words to describe his new life:
v. 11 “profitable (useful); v. 13 “minister; v. 16 “beloved brother”, and later on in Colossians 4:9 Paul would call him a “faithful and beloved brother.”

14. 2 Corinthians 4:12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
Philemon 12  I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,  
Psalm 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
2 Corinthians 4:12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57  55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
In verse 12, Paul writes: “I am sending him back.” Paul can’t harbor a runaway slave because he is imprisoned himself, and this was wrong. It was risky for Paul. When a slave returned, it wasn’t a happy situation. Slaves were possessions and can get treated with punishment, branded on the forehead with an “f” for “fugitive,” or even crucified. In Rome, there were over 1 million slaves; they couldn’t allow them to rebel because allowing 1 to run away with punishment could cause a revolt. Onesimus was not only a runaway, he had stolen something. It wasn’t going to look good for him being sent back. This was risky for Paul to send him back BUT Philemon was a Christian Godly man who would react unlike the world in this situation. Even Christians at this time viewed slaves as property, so there was still the chance that Philemon would still punish Onesimus when he returned.
But the great thing about Onesimus now is that he is no longer a coward having to run from his past and his slavery. This is what sets Christians apart from other religions and beliefs. Christianity enables us to face who and what we used to be – to face our sin and errors and recognize that now through Jesus Christ we are forgiven. That’s who we used to be, but not any more. Why? 2 Corinthians 5:17. Psalm 103:12. Our past is not our future; it does not define us. 2 Corinthians 4:12 – Jesus leads us in triumph. We are no longer cowards. We have the victory through Him in 1 Corinthians 15: Through Christ, the things that have beaten you have been beaten.

15. Philemon 15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.  
Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
In verses 15-16, Paul here is pointing out God’s sovereignty – His control over the whole situation. God had a plan even through Onesimu’’ sin, and although it cost Philemon money, time, and effort, he gained in the long run. Paul can say this because his viewpoint on life is different. It’s from eternity’s perspective.
We need to live victoriously in our eternal viewpoint. Do our lives reflect an eternal viewpoint? Do we believe that God can use our struggles for our good and for His glory? Do we believe the promise in Romans 8:28? God can use the most rebellious experiences from our past to change us for the better. Maybe this is what Onesimus needed to finally get his attention – to get locked up. God used the locked up situation of Onesimus to give him hope. In verse 16, he returns a beloved brother in flesh and in the Lord. They will not only work together but they will now serve the Lord together.

16. 3 Things to Remember When You Commit Your Life to Christ…
Forgive – Jesus wants to take whatever we’ve done and wash it away (Psalm 103:12)
Revive – Jesus wants to make everything new (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Involve – Jesus wants to use you as a new creation in Christ.
God goes beyond adding fresh paint and a new roof when he changes us. He starts from the ground up and makes us new. And there’s no charge for the construction. He paid it all. And when the construction take place, He lives inside us. That’s the love and promise of the Gospel.
1 Peter 2:9 -  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

17. Did Philemon forgive Onesimus
Did Philemon forgive Onesimus? Did he receive him back into his fellowship? The Bible doesn't say. But would we today be having this public reading of this very private letter if Philemon had failed to respond by doing the Christian thing?
Luther wrote in his preface to Philemon:
   ...here we see how St. Paul takes the part of poor Onesimus and... advocates his cause with his master. He acts exactly as if he were himself Onesimus, who had done wrong.Yet he does this not with force or compulsion, as lay within his rights; but he empties himself of his rights in order to compel Philemon also to waive his rights. What Christ has done for us with God the Father, that St. Paul does also for Onesimus with Philemon. For Christ emptied himself of his rights [Phil. 2:7] and overcame the Father with love and humility, so that the Father had to put away his wrath and rights, and receive us into favor for the sake of Christ, who so earnestly advocates our cause and so heartily takes our part.  For we are all Onesimuses if we believe. (Luther's Works, vol. 35, p. 390)    

18. Does Paul Approve of the Institution of Slavery?
How To Respond to Critics
Problem:
Paul seems to favor the institution of human slavery by sending a runaway slave, Onesimus, back to his owner.
Paul makes no outright condemnation of slavery. But slavery is unethical, a violation of the principles of human freedom and dignity.

19. Does Paul Approve of the Institution of Slavery?
Slavery is unethical and unbiblical, and neither Paul’s actions nor his writings approve of this debasing form of treatment. In fact it was the application of biblical principles that ultimately led to overthrow of slavery. Here Paul nether commends nor condones it; rather, he undermines it and condemns it implicitly.
Several import facts should be noted in this connection:
1. From the very beginning, God declared that all humans bear the image of God (Gen. 1:27). The apostle reaffirmed this, declaring, “We are the offspring of God” (Acts 17:29), and “He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth” (v. 26).

20. In spite of the fact that slavery was countenanced in the Semitic cultures of the day, the law demanded that slaves eventually be set free (Exod. 21:2; Lev. 25:40-41). Likewise, servants had to be treated with respect (Exod. 21:20,26).
God reminded Israel constantly that they had been slaves in Egypt (Deut. 5:15), and their emancipation became the model for the liberation of all slaves (see Lev. 25:40-41).
In the New Testament Paul declared that in Christianity “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). All social classes are broken down in Christ; we are all equal before God.

21. The New Testament explicitly forbids the evil system of this world that traded the “bodies and souls of men” (see Rev. 18:9-13). Slave trade is so repugnant to God that He pronounces His final judgment on the evil system that perpetrated it (Rev ).
When Paul urges: “Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters” (Ephesians 6:5; see Col. 3:22), he is not thereby approving of the institution of slavery, but simply alluding to the de facto situation in his day. His purpose is to instruct servants or slaves to be good employees, just as believers should be today, but he was not commending slavery. Slaves were commanded to obey their masters (Ephesians 6:5), but nowhere does the Bible command anyone to have slaves, nor does it even encourage us to do so.

22. A closer look at Philemon reveals that Paul did not perpetuate slavery but actually undermined it, for he urged Philemon, Onesimus’s owner to treat him as a “beloved brother” (v. 16). So by emphasizing the inherent equality of all human beings, both by creation and redemption, the Bible laid down the very moral principles that were used to overthrow slavery and help restore the dignity and freedom of all persons of whatever color or ethnic group.
It was futile in a monarchy to try to overthrow politically the institution of slavery (half the Roman Empire were slaves). It was better to undermine it spiritually, which eventually happened, by Christian principles.

23. Does Paul Approve of the Institution of Slavery?
Paul had not made it his mission to abolish slavery as a social institution. But he did make it his mission to change the way that Christian slaves and Christian slave owners related with each other.
Paul was more concerned first with the eternal salvation for both slaves and masters. And second he was concerned that both slaves and masters displayed Christian love and respect for one another, each in their own sphere of responsibility.
The Christian congregations which Paul started were often made up of a large number of slaves, and occasionally slave owners. And he made it abundantly clear that before the cross of Jesus, the ground was level.