Philemon (Nasb)

The Gospels were written by Matthew the tax collector, Mark, Dr. Luke and John (unique Greek)

Acts was written by Dr. Luke. The rest of the New Testament is comprised of letters.

The Book of Acts ends with Paul in prison in Rome. Four letters – Philippians, Philemon, Colossians and Ephesians – are known as the Prison Epistles, since all make reference to Paul being in prison. Paul, however, was imprisoned in Caesarea and possibly in Ephesus, besides Rome, so the placement of any one of the Prison Epistles must be considered tentative. Philemon was written about AD 62, AD 70-75 is when Paul’s followers wrote Colossians and Ephesians. c/o The Chronological Study Bible, Thomas Nelson

It was written for the purpose of interceding for Onesimus (profitable) who had deserted his master Philemon and been "unprofitable"(word play?) to him. Paul had found Onesimus at Rome, and had there been instrumental in his conversion, and now he sends him back to his master with this letter. c/o Easton’s Bible Dictionary

According to Roman law runaway slaves could be severely punished or sentenced to death. c/o NKJV

Paying another’s debt; condemned by law but saved by grace; written by Paul around 60AD in a Roman prison to Philemon in Colossae; an appeal for Philemon to receive back Onesimus, a runaway slave - c/o Marilyn Hickey Ministries

GREETINGS

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,

2 and to Apphia our sister, (Philemon’s wife, to whom also the business in part belonged per Wesley) and to Archippus (Philemon’s son), our fellow soldier and to the church in your house (This is why the small group / house church movement started.)

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,

(You know I emphasize prayer. I pray on the way to work, after services, when I counsel people, etc.)

5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; No love for sinners? ?

6 and I pray that the fellowship (sharing) of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake. Do staff / inmates hear / see our faith in action?

INTERCESSION

7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

8 Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper,

9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you --since I am such a person as Paul, the aged (60?), and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— This is strong language. I’d rather appeal than order, too.

10 I appeal to you for my spiritual child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,

11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart,

13 whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; (Great News)

14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will (vs. predestination?)

15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,

16 no longer as a slave (Doulos = servant) but more than a slave (Doulos=servant), a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Refitted as the world’s largest book fair of Christian and education titles, the Doulos was destined to be welcomed in over 600 ports to 104 countries by presidents, prime ministers, and princesses. And as soon as the ribbon was cut, crowds eagerly surged on board to take advantage of resources that in many cases they could never before access. Visitor numbers could reach 10,000 in a single day and once topped 24,000. http://news.om.org/country-article/r20465

IMPUTATION – the paying of a debt by one for another; Paul was willing to take Onesimus’ debts

17 If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.

18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; (KEY VERSE, due to a type of Christ)

SALUTATIONS / GREETINGS

19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). This is strong. Gundry wrote that Philemon was saved through Paul.