Philemon 1:8–25

Review…

• How the is book divided…
  • Philemon 1:1-7 – The respect of Paul for Philemon
  • Philemon 1:8-25 – The request of Paul to Philemon
  • Greeting of Paul…
  • Paul a PRISONER of Jesus Christ – not an Apostle – an unusual greeting…
  • Paul did not need to establish his authority with Philemon – he was coming as a friend…
  • To Philemon – BELOVED fellow laborer – and the church in his house!
  • The Prayer and Joy of Paul…
  • He THANKED God and PRAYED always for Philemon…
  • The sharing of his FAITH might be EFFECTIVE by the acknowledgement of every good thing!
  • Paul also had JOY – in that he HEARD about the LOVE and FAITH of Philemon!

Restoration…

• 1^st – Request of Paul… vs. 8-11
  • 1^st – Therefore – though I might be VERY bold… vs. 8-9
    • Having greeted Philemon with great RESPECT – because of his LOVE and FAITH…
    • Paul comes to the main PURPOSE of his letter – a REQUEST of Philemon…
    • The word THEREFORE – διό – can better be translated ON ACCOUNT of…
    • It does NOT point back to the previous verses – it looks forward to verse 19…
    • Paul had the right to be VERY BOLD in COMMANDING anything from Philemon…
    • ON ACCOUNT of – Paul was the one who shared the Gospel with Philemon!
    • Philemon 1:19 – “You that you owe me even your own self…”
    • Yet for the sake of LOVE (agapē)…
    • Rather than COMMAND Philemon – Paul would rather (better way) APPEAL to him…
    • APPEAL – parakaleō – to come along side to help!
    • Paul understood COMMANDING someone to do something is NOT as EFFECTIVE…
    • As coming alongside – in LOVE – and helping them see WHY they should do something!
    • So often we want to lay down the Law for people – COMMAND them…
    • We tell them what to do and what not to do – force them to do what is right…
    • But by laying down the Law – only inspires them to rebel…
    • The Law only stirs in us the desire for sin – sin that leads to judgment / death!
    • We are NOT sinners because we sin – we sin because we are SINNERS!
    • When I was about four – I was grounded and told I could not go outside…
    • But I saw an ice cream truck passing by – so I broke my little piggy bank…
    • And snuck outside and bought me some delicious ice-cream!
    • Paul the aged – a prisoner of Jesus Christ…
    • Do NOT miss this – Paul was AGED (an old man) – he had LOTS of years of experience…
    • Chances are when he was young – he did a LOT of COMMANDING…
    • But Paul LEARNED the lesson – LOVE is better than a COMMAND!
    • It is AWLAYS far easier to see what the RIGHT choices are for other people…
    • We tend to have the least amount of discernment for our own lives…
    • But when we see people making POOR choices – best not to COMMAND them…
    • Instead LOVE them – come alongside them – and help them see WHAT to do!
  • 2^nd – Appeal for Onesimus… vs. 10-11
    • The REQUEST of Paul was for Onesimus…
    • APPEAL – parakaleō – Paul uses the word again to come along side to help…
    • Onesimus – whose name ironically means to be PROFITABLE / HELPFUL…
    • Paul met Onesimus while he was a prisoner (in chains) in Rome…
    • There he shared the Gospel with him (begotten) – and Onesimus came to FAITH in Jesus!
    • He was once UNPROFITABLE to you…
    • UNPROFITABLE – only here NT – to be useless / have no value…
    • Presumably Onesimus from Colossae – and was one of the slaves of Philemon…
    • Around HALF of the Roman Empire were slaves – they had no rights…
    • You could kill a slave without any punishment – they were property!
    • He stole from Philemon – Philemon 1:18 – and fled from his master to Rome…
    • Perhaps hoping he would disappear into the crowded masses of the capitol…
    • Before coming to FAITH in Jesus – he was an UNPROFITABLE servant!
    • Perhaps we can relate – we ran away from the Lord – tried to find purpose in the world…
    • But what we became was UNPROFITABLE – lost in sin and darkness…
    • The truth is we were ALL like Onesimus before coming to Jesus!
    • Romans 10:12 – “[We] have together become unprofitable…”
    • Now he is PROFITABLE to both you and me…
    • Regardless of who Onesimus was BEFORE he came to know Jesus…
    • He was NOW a blessing to both Paul and Philemon because of Jesus!
    • Colossians 4:9 – “With Onesimus – a faithful and beloved brother…”
    • The world tries to tell us we are defined by our past – WHAT we did is WHO we are…
    • The HOPE we have is that in Jesus – we have a new CHARACTER – we are PROFITABLE…
    • When we come to / believe in Jesus – our old life before Christ is gone / dead…
    • We are no longer defined by our past mistakes – old labels no longer apply…
    • We are BORN AGAIN – we have a fresh start in Jesus – a new beginning!
    • And the life we now live – we no longer live for ourselves – we live for Jesus!
    • Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
• 2^nd – Going back… vs. 12-16
  • 1^st – Sent back… vs. 12-13
    • Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon…
    • RECEIVE (imperative) him – to welcome into your home / heart…
    • RECEIVE him as you would RECEIVE me – because he has my heart!
    • Paul WOULD (imperfect) have kept Onesimus in Rome with him…
    • So that he COULD have ministered (diakoneō) to Paul on BEHALF of Philemon…
    • In other words – since Philemon was FAR away in Colossae…
    • Onesimus could act as a STAND IN – and care for Paul in PRISON on behalf of Philemon!
    • My Father went into Elderly homes / and Prisons for more than 30 years…
    • It was not a glamorous way to serve – or easy – sick elderly / hard prisoners…
    • But as a result – I do not think I could count the number of people he led to Jesus!
    • We are called to refresh one another – not just when it is convenient or easy…
    • There is great joy as we get to pour the love of Jesus into the lives of others!
    • Hebrews 13:3 – “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them, those who are mistreated, since you yourselves are in the body also.”
  • 2^nd – Because of CHOICE… 14
    • The question must be asked – why then Paul SENT Onesimus back…
    • I think there are TWO reasons – the FIRST is because of CHOICE…
    • Without your CONSENT – I wanted to do NOTHING…
    • CONSENT – gnōmē – knowledge or awareness…
    • Paul did NOT want to do anything with Onesimus without Philemon knowing!
    • That his GOOD (agathos) would not be though COMPULSION…
    • COMPULSION – doing something without a choice – being BOXED in…
    • But though VOLUNTEERING – only here NT – to CHOOSE to do something!
    • We all KNOW that the origin of sin – was the CHOICE made by Adam and Eve – Genesis 3
    • But you might ask – why did God put the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden!
    • If there was NO tree – then there would have been NO sin!
    • It all comes down CHOICE…
    • If someone came up to us with a loaded gun and told us to love them…
    • We would say yes – but it would not be from our heart – because there is no CHOICE!
    • True GOOD requires a choice – so God gave man a choice!
    • God will not force anyone to go to heaven – it is their CHOICE
    • God also does not send anyone to hell – they CHOOSE it – the question is what we choose…
    • Do we choose to reject God – or take freely from the tree of life (the cross of Christ)!
    • Joshua 24:15 – “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”
  • 3^rd – Because of RESTORATION… vs. 15-16
    • The SECOND reason why Paul sent Onesimus back – was because of RESTORATION…
    • For PERHAPS – τάχα γὰρ διὰ – this MAY be the reason why…
    • He DEPARTED (passive) – more literally he was SENT away by the PLAN of God…
    • That you should RECEIVE (subjunctive) him again FOREVER!
    • Paul is suggesting this might NOT be an accident – but instead a coordinated effort…
    • God was the one who SENT Onesimus to Rome – so he could get SAVED!
    • This brings up a powerful topic – are the events in our life happenstance / or ordained…
    • Do we go through life making choices – and what happens / just happens…
    • Or is God SOVERIGN over every decision – leading and guiding us to a specific end!
    • The answer is both – we do have FREE will – we get to CHOOSE…
    • But God – who sees EVERYTHING before it ever happens – Isaiah 46:10
    • Uses all our CHOICES to accomplish His will in our lives!
    • That does NOT negate our responsibility to CHOOSE wisely…
    • NEITHER does that eliminate the consequences for bad CHOICES…
    • But it does give us HOPE – that God uses – both our good and bad CHOICES for GOOD!
    • Romans 8:28 – “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God…”
    • No longer just a SLAVE (doulos) …
    • Onesimus was coming back – but not the way that he left…
    • No longer just a SLAVE – he was MORE – he was now a BELOVED (agapētos) brother…
    • Especially (first) to Paul – but how much MORE to Philemon…
    • Because he was coming back to SERVE (in the flesh) – and be a BROTHER (in the Lord)…
    • Paul wanted the relationship between Onesimus and Philemon RESTORED!
    • Sin causes separation – from God – and from those who have sinned against…
    • God desires for us to be RESTORED – both to Him through repentance!
    • I John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
    • And to those who have sinned against – by going to them and asking for FORGIVENESS!
    • Matthew 5:23 – “Therefore if you… remember that your brother has something against you… be reconciled to your brother.”
    • There is a tendency in our culture – to avoid confrontation…
    • If someone does something wrong – the accepted response it to IGNORE it / them…
    • As if somehow time will miraculously make everything OK!
    • Ephesians 4:26 – “Do not let the sun go down on your anger…”
    • If we do not seek RESORATION – it causes SEPARATION in the church…
    • If we try and IGNORE our MISTAKES – we give an opportunity to satan…
    • Satan would love to cause division within the church – bitterness and hate…
    • Do not let satan rob the church of the forgiveness and joy Jesus has provided!
    • II Corinthians 2:11 – “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
    • Paul is NOT saying Onesimus should STOP being a SLAVE to Philemon…
    • Onesimus was going back and make things right – be RESTORED…
    • But that did not mean there were no CONSIQUNCS for his actions!
    • God loves us too much to let us get away with our sin – so He punishes us…
    • Not because He is angry – or mad at us – but because of His great love for us…
    • God desires to teach us – His kids – how to live a pure and holy life!
    • Hebrews 12:5-8 – “You have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD… For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and punishes every son whom He receives…”
• 3^rd – Paying a debt… vs. 17-21
  • 1^st – I will REPAY… vs. 17-19
    • IF (since) you count (indicative) me as a PARTNER…
    • RECEIVE (imperative) Onesimus just as you would RECEIVE me!
    • BUT IF (since) Onesimus WRONGED (indicative) you / or OWES (indicative) you…
    • Put it on my ACCOUNT – 2x in NT – recon the DEBT to be mine!
    • Paul – writing with his own HAND – I will REPAY (future / indicative)!
    • Onesimus had DEBT…
    • We do NOT know what Onesimus did – perhaps he STOLE before running away…
    • But the grammar removes any doubt (indicative) – he did WRONG and OWE Philemon!
    • Yet Paul was willing to be the MEDIATOR – help RESTORE their relationship…
    • If that meant he PAID back whatever DEBT Onesimus had – he was willing to do that!
    • If we see brothers in the church UNABLE to RESTORE their relationship because of sin…
    • We are called to step in and HELP – be a MEDIATOR between them…
    • If needed – PAY the DEBT – right the WRONG – to restore UNITY to the Church!
    • II Corinthian 5:18 – “God… has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
    • Paul would PAY the DEBT…
    • So that (not to mention) he might NOT have to say (subjunctive) …
    • Philemon owed a DEBT to Paul – even his own life…
    • Paul had shared the Gospel with Philemon – he was SAVED – because of Paul!
    • Paul was giving perspective – who had the GREATER debt!
    • A servant who owed the Master 10k talents (8 billion pesos) – Matthew 18:23-35
    • Which makes the next statement obvious – he was not able to pay…
    • But the master wiped away the debt – he was completely forgiven…
    • But the man went out and would NOT forgive a fellow servant who owed 100P!
    • If we focus on what others have done to us – then we want JUSTICE…
    • We want them to pay back their DEBT – every centavo they have cost us…
    • Our problem is we are looking in the wrong direction…
    • We are looking at what they have DONE to us – rather than what we have DONE…
    • When we consider all that Jesus has FORGIVEN us – EVERYTHING…
    • How could we not FORGIVE our brother what little DEBT they may owe us!
  • 2^nd – Confidence in OBEDIENCE… vs. 20-21
    • TRULY (yes) my brother – let me have (optative) JOY from you…
    • Refresh (imperative) my heart in the Lord – through OBEDIENCE…
    • Paul was CONFIDENT (perfect) that Philemon would OBEY all that he wrote…
    • KNOWING (perfect) – he would even do (indicative) MORE than what Paul asked!
    • The grammar is powerful – Paul had NO DOUBT (perfect) – in what Philemon would do!
    • Not because he was OBEDIENT to what Paul wrote to him…
    • But because it was a COMMAND that came from the Lord!
    • As believers – forgiveness is NOT an option…
    • Luke 17:4 – “Even if [someone] wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive [them].”
    • When we are hurt by someone – and refuse to forgive – we are DISOBEYING God…
    • Now not only do we have a DAMAGED relationship with the person who sinned…
    • But we also have a DAMAGED relationship with the Lord…
    • With unforgiveness in our hearts – God does not hear our prayers – Mark 11:25
    • How to FORGIVE…
    • When Jesus commanded the Apostles to forgive – they responded – increases our FAITH…
    • But Jesus replied – if you have the FAITH of a mustard seed – Luke 17:5-7
    • You can say to this MULBERRY tree – be pulled up by the roots and be cast into the sea!
    • The MULBERRY tree is famous in the Middle East for having incredibly deep roots…
    • The tree can grow very quickly – and because of its roots it is VERY difficult to kill…
    • Even cutting to the base is no guarantee – it must be pulled out by the roots!
    • The fruit is VERY sour and bitter – and its wood is commonly used to make coffins!
    • The way to FORIGVE – is FAITH in Jesus – He can tear out the roots of unforgiveness!
    • He can send them away into the farthest sea – never to be seen again…
    • Because Forgiveness is not just for the one whom did us wrong – it is also for us…
    • It sets us free – so we do not dwell on the past – we get to move forward in Christ!
    • Psalm 103:12 – “He removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”
• 4^th – Closing salutations… vs. 22-25
  • 1^st – Prepare a room… vs. 22
    • Prepare (imperative) a room for me…
    • Paul trusted that through the prayers of Philemon – he would be delivered…
    • As Paul closed his letter – he gave hope of seeing Philemon again…
    • He would be released from PRISON – and travel to Colossae to see his friend!
  • 2^nd – Greetings … vs. 23-25
    • Paul closes the letter with GREETINGS from FIVE men – similar list to Colossians 4:7-15
    • Epaphras – also in prison with Paul – who started the church in Colossae – Colossians 1:7
    • Mark – cousin of Barnabus – who traveled with Paul on the FIRST missionary journey…
    • Aristarchus from Ephesus – traveled with Paul to Rome – Acts 27:2
    • Demas – who ultimately turned his back on the Ministry / Lord – II Timothy 4:10
    • Luke – the physician who wrote the Book of Luke and Acts…
    • The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit – Amen!