Philemon Bible Study
Scripture & Commentary Below the Videos
Author: The author of the Book of Philemon was the apostle Paul (Philemon 1:1).
Date of Writing: The Book of Philemon was written in approximately A. D. 60.
Purpose of Writing: The letter to Philemon is the shortest of all Paul’s writings and deals with the practice of slavery. The letter suggests that Paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. During the time of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, Philemon had likely journeyed to the city, heard Paul’s preaching and became a Christian. The slave Onesimus (o-NEH-sih-muhs) robbed his master, Philemon, and ran away, making his way to Rome and to Paul. Onesimus was still the property of Philemon, and Paul wrote to smooth the way for his return to his master. Through Paul’s witnessing to him, Onesimus had become a Christian (Philemon 10) and Paul wanted Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother in Christ and not merely as a slave.
Greeting
Phm 1:1 “Paul, A PRISONER (BOTH SPIRITUALITY A “SLAVE” TO CHRIST AND ALSO REFERENCES PAUL’S PHYSICAL STATE AS ONE ARM WAS BOUND WITH A CHAIN TO THE ARM OF THE SOLDIER TO WHOSE CUSTODY HE HAD BEEN DELIVERED) of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
Phm 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: (MANY OF THE TRUE CHURCHES ARE IN HOMES TODAY IN THESE LAST DAYS).
Phm 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (AGAIN, SHOWS THE MULTIPLE PERSON GODHEAD)
Philemon’s Love and Faith
Phm 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of thee ALWAYS IN MY PRAYERS,
Phm 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all SAINTS;
Phm 1:6 That the communication of thy faith MAY BE EFFECTUAL by the acknowledging of EVERY GOOD THING which is IN YOU in Christ Jesus. (THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN BELIEVERS, HOW CAN A TRUE CHRISTIAN PREACH “WE SIN EVERYDAY” WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NEVER LEAD ONE TO SIN. FURTHER, JESUS COMMANDED CLEARLY IN HIS WORD “GO AN SIN NO MORE LEST A WORSE THING COME UPON YOU”)
Phm 1:7 For we have GREAT JOY and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
Phm 1:8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, (BOLD = AUTHORITY TO COMMAND TO DO WHAT IS RIGHTEOUS YET IN A GENTLE AND CARING WAY TO THE NEW BELIEVER ONESIMUS).
Phm 1:9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged (APPROX EARLY 60’S BUT HE WAS BATTERED AND BRUISED FOR YEARS PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS TO THE HEATHEN AND IT TOOK A TOLL – AGED ALSO MEANS AMBASSADOR), and now also A PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST.
Phm 1:10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: (“SON” MEANING ONE HE HAD A HAND IN HELPING COME TO THE LORD – FURTHER, SLAVERY WAS NOT SANCTIONED IN THE BIBLE BUT AT THE SAME TIME DOES NOT START A POLITICAL CRUSADE AGAINST IT).
Phm 1:11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: (ONESIMUS LITERALLY MEANS PROFITABLE, BUT IN TIMES PAST, HE WAS INCREDIBLY INJURIOUS TO PHILEMON, HIS MASTER. AFTER CONVERSION, HE IS NOW PROFITABLE BOTH SPIRITUALLY AND IN TEMPORAL THINGS LIKE OBEYING EARTHLY ORDER).
Phm 1:12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, MINE OWN BOWELS: (INCREDIBLE DEAR TO PAUL – A TRUE BROTHER).
Phm 1:13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: (AS ONE OF PAUL’S CONVERTS, PAUL WAS AS A SPIRITUAL FATHER TO PHILEMON, HE HAD A RIGHT TO HIS SERVICES WHEN IN NEED. SO MANY “MISS THE MARK” (SIN) BY NOT OBEYING BIBLICAL OR EARTHLY ORDER. THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE REQUEST/COMMAND AS HE WAS NOT ONLY ASKING PHILEMON TO FORGIVE HIS SERVANT, BUT TO SEND HIM BACK TO MINISTER TO PAUL’S NEEDS).
Phm 1:14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but WILLINGLY. (NO PERSUASION BY PAUL AS HE SENT ONESIMUS BACK TO PHILEMON BEFORE ASKING FOR HIM BACK. THIS WAS VERY WISE AS PHILEMON MIGHT HAVE AGREED IN AN UNGODLY WAY IF PAUL HAD KEPT PHESIMUS THERE… HE WANTED PHILEMON TO, FROM HIS HEART OUT OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE, LET ONESIMUS MINISTER TO HIS NEEDS WITHOUT ANY STRINGS, HARD FEELINGS, ETC).
Phm 1:15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; (SO WELL WRITTEN, OF COURSE, IT’S AUTHORED BY GOD HIMSELF. HE LEFT HIS EARTHLY MASTER FOR A WHILE AND WAS SAVED, THUS, HE RETURNS AS A TRUE BROTHER IN CHRIST AND PRAYERFULLY WILL BE WITH THEE FOREVER – ETERNITY).
Phm 1:16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, A BROTHER BELOVED, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
Phm 1:17 If thou count me therefore a partner, RECEIVE HIM AS MYSELF. (HE IS NOW A PART OF THE CHURCH IN YOUR HOME. RECEIVE HIM NOT ONLY AS AN EARTHLY SLAVE BUT ALSO A “SLAVE IN THE LORD” FOR HE IS “A BROTHER IN THE LORD”).
Phm 1:18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; (A TRUE, SACRIFICIAL CHRISTIAN “LAYS DOWN THEIR LIFE” FOR THEIR BRETHREN).
Phm 1:19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. (AS STATED ABOVE, PAUL HAD BEEN THE MEANS OF THE CONVERSION OF PHILEMON, THUS, ASKING THE DEBT OF ONESIMUS TO “BE PUT ON MY ACCOUNT” IS NOTHING COMPARED TO ETERNAL SALVATION).
Phm 1:20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord (BY SHOWING ME THIS FAVOUR): refresh my bowels (INNER AFFECTION) in the Lord.
Phm 1:21 Having confidence IN THY OBEDIENCE (TO ALL MY DESIRES) I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. (POSSIBLY ALLUDING TO FREEING ONESIMUS AS A SLAVE).
Phm 1:22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. (PAUL SEEMS TO STATE HERE THAT HE MAY BE RELEASED FROM PRISON SOON AND HOW TO START “REPAYMENT” BY STAYING WITH PHILEMON AT HIS HOME).
Final Greetings
Phm 1:23 There salute thee Epaphras (EH-puh-fras), my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
Phm 1:24 Marcus, Aristarchus (ehr-ihs-TAHR-kuhs), Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
Phm 1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Written from Rome to Philemon, (DELIVERED IN HAND) by Onesimus a servant.”