September 8, 2019 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

“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 ¶ 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. 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.” (Philemon 1:1-21 NKJV)

From prison Paul deals with so many topics in this Epistle (letter). While written to a house church the large part of the message is intended for Philemon (one who kisses). On another sheet list the topics Paul brings up to Philemon and explain what they mean to you.

In verses 3 – 7 Paul gives a most gracious and very personal greeting. More than a pious reading it is a heartfelt statement of love and devotion. Have you ever prayed for someone or greeted someone like this?

If so who and why?

What does it mean having church in their home?

Because of how Paul served Philemon he can demand Onesimus’s freedom but Paul asks for Philemon to allow Onesimus to be sent back to serve him.

Why does Paul request Onesimus rather than just keep him?

When a slave was captured or returned they were usually severely punished. How does Paul deal that?

How does Paul deal with slavery?

Onesimus means to be “profitable or useful”. It comes from a root word meaning the full process of giving birth. (After becoming a Christian some would change their name to say what they wanted to be or had become.)

Does Onesimus live according to his name?

As Jesus has purchased us from the slavery of sin how should we respond?