THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON
COLOSSIANS 4:7-9
COLOSSIANS 4:7-9
Introduction:
The epistle addressed to Philemon is one of the Prison Epistles probably sent about 51 AD. It is a letter of intercession written by the Apostle Paul and sent to Philemon at Colosse, Colossians 4:7-9.
Philemon was apparently a member of the church at Colosse, which seems to have held its assemblies in his house, Philemon 2. His benevolence, Philemon 5-7, and Paul’s request for him to prepare a lodging, Philemon 22, indicate that he was a man of some means. As Paul had never been in Colosse, Colossians 2:1, Philemon must have met him elsewhere, possibly in Ephesus, which was not far away. It would seem that he owed his conversion to the apostle, Philemon 19.
Onesimus was a runaway slave of Philemon. It is inferred that he robbed his master and fled to Rome, Philemon 18. Here he came under the influence of Paul and was converted, Philemon 10. He became a devoted disciple of Christ, Colossians 4:9. Paul would have chosen to have detained him in Rome as a helper, Philemon 13, but not having the consent of Philemon, Philemon 14, he felt it was his duty to send the slave back to his master. So the apostle writes this beautiful letter of intercession, pleading with Philemon to forgive and restore Onesimus to favor.
The book “is of priceless value as a teaching…
(1) In practical righteousness;
(2) In Christian brotherhood;
(3) In Christian courtesy;
(4) In the law of love.” — Scofield.
Synopsis: The divisions are four:
I. Greeting, vv. 1-3.
II. The character of Philemon, vv. 4-7.
III. Intercession for Onesimus, vv. 8-21.
IV. Salutations and conclusion, vv. 22-25.