THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING PHILEMON
1) To be impressed with the loving hospitality which characterized the
Christians in the early church
2) To learn lessons in the use of tact in dealing with others
SUMMARY
In this very short and personal epistle, Paul addresses it to Philemon,
Apphia, Archippus and to the church in their house. But it soon becomes
evident that its contents are directed toward Philemon, a beloved friend
and fellow laborer with Paul (1-3).
After his salutation, Paul expresses his thanks for the noble qualities
which have characterized Philemon in the past, especially his love for
the saints. It is because of Philemon's past performance that Paul is
confident his plea will be carried out faithfully (4-7).
Paul's plea concerns Onesimus, a slave who had run away from Philemon.
Somehow he had run into Paul at Rome and was now a new convert to Jesus
Christ. As a brother in Christ, Onesimus had made himself very useful
to Paul in Rome. But because he still legally belongs to Philemon, Paul
is sending him back with a plea that Onesimus be forgiven and received
as a brother in the Lord. Paul also offers to pay any restitution which
may be owed Philemon by Onesimus (8-21).
The epistle ends with a request for lodging in the near future, and with
sundry greetings from individuals who were with Paul in Rome (22-25).
OUTLINE
I. SALUTATION (1-3)
A. FROM... (1a)
1. Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus
2. Timothy, a brother
B. TO... (1b-2)
1. Philemon, a beloved friend and fellow laborer
2. Apphia
3. Archippus, a fellow soldier
4. The church in their house
C. GREETINGS (3)
1. Grace and peace
2. From God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
II. THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER (4-7)
A. PAUL'S THANKFULNESS (4-5)
1. Expressed in frequent prayers to God
2. For Philemon's love and faith toward Jesus and all the saints
B. PAUL'S PRAYER (6-7)
1. That the sharing of Philemon's faith might be effective
2. Through the acknowledgment of every good thing in Philemon
3. For example, the joy and comfort experienced by Paul from
Philemon's love, as Paul hears of how he refreshed the hearts
of the saints
III. THE PLEA FOR ONESIMUS (8-21)
A. AN APPEAL, NOT A COMMAND (8-9)
1. Paul had the authority to command what is fitting
2. He chose instead to make an appeal based upon...
a. Love itself
b. Paul's "age"
c. His imprisonment
B. PAUL'S PLEA (10-20)
1. Concerns Onesimus (10-11)
a. Who was converted by Paul while in chains, and is now like
a son to him
b. Who though once was unprofitable to Philemon, is now
profitable to both him and Paul
2. Paul is now sending Onesimus back to Philemon (12-14)
a. Though he is very dear to Paul
b. Though Paul wished to keep him and have him work in
Philemon's behalf in the gospel
c. But Paul did not want to do anything without Philemon's
whole-hearted consent
3. Paul's desire is that Philemon receive Onesimus as a brother
in Christ (15-17)
a. Perhaps his running away was for this purpose, that he might
become a beloved brother in the Lord
b. So if Philemon considered himself a partner of Paul, Paul
asks that he receive Onesimus as he would Paul himself
4. Paul offers to repay Philemon (18-19)
a. For any wrong that Onesimus might have done
b. Of course, Philemon already owed Paul his own life
5. By receiving Onesimus in this way, Philemon could give Paul
joy and a refreshed heart in the Lord (20)
C. PAUL'S CONFIDENCE IN PHILEMON (21)
1. In Philemon's obedience
2. That Philemon will do even more than what Paul is asking for
IV. CONCLUDING REMARKS (22-25)
A. A REQUEST FOR LODGING (22)
1. That Paul might be able to stay with Philemon
2. For Paul is confident that through the prayers of Philemon he
will soon be able to come to him
B. GREETINGS FROM OTHERS (23-24)
1. Epaphras, a fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus
2. Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, fellow laborers with Paul
C. A CLOSING PRAYER (25)
REVIEW QUESTIONS Move your mouse pointer underneath each question to see the answer.
1) Why does Paul refer to himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus? (1)
2) Why the mention of Timothy? (1)
3) What does Philemon's name mean? Did he live up to it?
4) Who, possibly, are Apphia and Archippus? (2)
5) Is this letter primarily to Philemon, or to all?
6) What is a good example of this family's devotion to Christ and of
their hospitality to the saints? (2)
7) Define the terms "grace" and "peace" (3)
8) How could Paul have heard about Philemon? (4,5)
9) What good things had Paul heard concerning Philemon? (5)
10) What are some examples of Philemon's love for the saints?
11) What does Paul pray for in behalf of Philemon? (6)
12) How is this prayer related to the plea which follows in verses 8-21?
13) What had given Paul great joy and comfort in his imprisonment? (7)
14) How does Paul re-emphasize his close feelings for Philemon? (7)
15) What does the word "therefore" indicate? (8)
16) What could Paul have done in this matter? (8)
17) What does Paul do instead? (9)
18) Why does Paul call himself "the aged"? (9)
19) Why does he again refer to himself as a prisoner? (9)
20) In the original language, where does the name "Onesimus" appear in
the sentence? (10)
21) What significance might there be in placing Onesimus' name at the
end of the sentence?
22) What does Paul call Onesimus? What does it mean? (10)
23) What does the name "Onesimus" mean?
24) How had becoming a Christian changed Onesimus? (11)
25) What does Paul want Philemon to do in regard to Onesimus? (12)
26) How does Paul express further what Onesimus has meant to him? (12)
27) What had Paul wished to do with Onesimus? (13)
28) Why had Paul refrained from doing what he wished? (14)
29) What did Paul see as the possible reason for this turn of events?
(15)
30) How did Paul want Philemon to receive Onesimus? (16)
31) Upon what basis does Paul ask Philemon to receive Onesimus as he
would Paul himself? (17)
32) What is Paul willing to do in behalf of Onesimus? (18-19)
33) What indicates that Paul may have personally converted Philemon to
the gospel? (19)
34) How will Philemon's forgiveness of Onesimus affect Paul? (20)
35) Was Paul in doubt about Philemon's response to his request? (21)
36) How could Philemon do more than what Paul had asked of him?
37) How might Paul's request for lodging tactfully induce Philemon to
honor his request for Onesimus? (22)
38) Where else do we read of these men who accompany Paul in sending
greetings to Philemon? (23,24)
39) What is Paul's concluding prayer for Philemon? (25)
40) List the main point of this epistle.
<< Previous | Index | Next >>
If you find mistakes in these outlines, or would like to make suggestions that would make them better, please let us know.