New Testament Postcards Philemon
Reading: Philemon
Ill:
• Back in 1820 the average person in England wrote only three letters a year.
• And with good reason.
• Letters in those days were mailed without a cover and could be read by anyone.
• But William Mulready had an idea to ensure privacy—the envelope.
• It was an idea he stole from the French;
• On a visit to France Mulready noticed that important messages;
• Were completely enclosed in a little paper case...
• Making them impervious to the peering eyes of the curious.
• On his return to England he introduced this new way of sending mail,
• It was an instant success, and the rest as they say is history!
One form of mail that anybody can still read:
• Is the postcard.
• Philemon is really a New testament postcard:
• I call it that because,
• It is a one chapter book of the Bible & shortest of all Paul’s writings.
The letter of Philemon:
• Is the only private letter that the apostle Paul wrote,
• That is included in the New Testament.
• This alone gives to it special significance,
• Marks it out as different, unique.
• It is 25 verses long, you can read it in 4 minutes.
• You can read quicker than some folks can find it!
Philemon is a much-ignored book in the New Testament:
• Probably because as you read it you notice:
• That there is no imposing thought, there is no great heresy that needs correcting.
• That there is not even any great doctrines mentioned.
• There implied but never mentioned.
• Now you would not expect Paul to do that.
• So this alone makes this letter unique and special.
To appreciate the book of Philemon a knowledge of the setting is important:
(1). The Background of Philemon.
• Turn please to Acts chapter 28 verse 16:
• "When WE got to Rome" (pause there for a minute).
• That verse first of all informs us that Paul was not alone,
• Note the second word "We".
• So obviously it means Paul and the one who wrote the book:
• Who we know from Acts chapter 1 verse 1 is Dr Luke,
"When WE got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself,
with a soldier to guard him".
(1). Historical Background:
• Paul has taken 3 great missionary journeys,
• He travelled all over his continent,
• To the lands we call today Turkey and Greece,
• And regions of Europe.
But now (Acts chapter 28 verse 16) Paul is in Rome, this was his dream, his ambition:
• To get to Rome,
• The capitol of the world and maybe to talk with the Roman Empower Nero.
His dream has turned into a bit of a nightmare:
• Soon after arriving in Rome he is arrested,
• He loses his freedom,
• And he is placed under house arrest.
• Verse 16: "With a soldier to guard him".
Go down the chapter to Verse 30-31:
"For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house
and welcomed all who came to see him".
boldly, and without hindrance he preached the Kingdom of God
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ".
Even though he was confined to a house with a constant guard at his side:
• Paul preached and he always had a congregation,
• Even if it was just the guards who kept watch over him,
• Verse 30 informs us : "Paul welcomed all who came to see him".
• Paul preached and taught:
• And folks were saved.
• And in the homes of those Roman citizens were slaves.
• At that time an estimated sixty million slaves,
• Inhabited the Roman Empire.
Now a slave was regarded simply:
• As a living tool,
• A two legged beast,
• Considered to have no soul,
• Considered to have no significant importance,
• He or she was a tool owned by the master:
• To be used and even abused, at his masters caprice / desire.
Quote: one historian writes it like this:
• "A slave was not even a person, he was a living tool,
• his master had absolute power over his slaves,
• he could box their ears or condemn them to hard labour,
• making them for instance work in chains upon his land,
• he may punish them at will, with the blows of the rod,
• or the lash of the not".
By the first centaury, under Roman law:
• Slaves had been given some rights & protection,
• But that would be more akin to our present laws,
• Protecting animals rather than human rights.
Don’t forget Paul was also a Hebrew:
• Under Jewish, the Mosaic law,
• Slaves were given many, many human rights,
• A spirit of mercy,
• Characterized Jewish legislation regarding slavery.
(2). The background of Philemon:
Two main conflicts surface in Philemon:
- A conflict of persons.
- A conflict of principles.
(A). The Philemon - Onesimus Conflict (A conflict of persons).
• One of those sixty million slaves who inhabited the Roman Empire;
• Was a man called Onesimus:
• He was owned by a man called Philemon and they lived in Collesse,
• As well as being a slave-owner, Philemon was a Christian.
One day Onesimus the slave robbed his master and ran away and fled for his life:
• And wither by plan or by accident,
• Onesimus wound up 1,200 miles away in Rome,
• When Onesimus ran away: he left not just a broken relationship,
• But it would appear he left an unresolved debt (verse 18).
“If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me”
We don’t know how but in time Onesimus encountered Paul:
• Probably taken to the house were Paul was,
• And Paul had the joy of leading Onesimus to the Lord,
• Verse 10: "My SON while I was in chains".
• C.E.V.: “He is like a son to me because I led him to Christ here in jail”.
(B). The Conversion - Forgiveness Conflict(A conflict of principles).
Now straight away there is another conflict:
• Philemon is no longer simply a slave,
• He is a born-again slave,
• As a Christian, he knows he should be honest,
• Truthful, and put right that which is wrong.
But he is also a runaway, who has robbed and wronged his master:
• And to return to Rome,
• Means that possibly his life is at stake,
• And if it’s spared, who knows what else may await him:
• There was only one thing worse than being a slave, that was to be a runaway slave!!!
Ill:
Normally as a deterrent to others, a runaway was killed:
• i.e. Crucified, drowned, strangled,
• Or tormented to death by wild beasts,
• If he was allowed to live he would be branded with a big ’F’ on their forehead.
• ’F’ for ’Fugitivus’, Latin for ’Fugitive’ or runaway,
• Which meant for the rest of his life he was marked out:
• As a warning to others, that here was a fugitive, beware of him.
• As well as the branding: Often he would be crippled, a foot cut off,
• Or in some way maimed, so that he wouldn’t run again.
Now to say Onesimus needs help:
• Is an understatement!!!
• He wants to make it right with Philemon,
• And the only way to do it is through a mediator, a middleman,
• And that’s where the apostle Paul fits into this situation.
So a letter is written by Paul:
• To Philemon,
• Encouraging him to forgive a fugitive called Onesimus.
• And to take him back.
• And.... as with all scripture, there is more.
(2). The Exposition of Philemon.
• As we turn the postcard over,
• The first thing we read is the names of the addresser and addressee.
(A). Greeting and Salutation (verse 1-3).
The Addresser (verse 1) was the apostle Paul:
• Paul usually identifies himself as ’an apostle’,
• But here he is writing friend to friend,
• The official title is dropped.
• Paul unpretentiously refers to himself simply as: "A prisoner of Christ Jesus".
His appeal to Philemon in this letter:
• Will be based on sympathy and love,
• And not based on authority.
The Addressee was:
(A). PHILEMON
• Who also like Onesimus was a convert of Paul,
• Verse 19: "You owe me your very self".
Verse 1: Also tells us that tells us Philemon was:
• At work in some type of Christian ministry.
• He’s called in verse 1: "A fellow-worker".
(B). APPHIA AND ARCHIPPUS:
• The letters also addressed in verse 2: "To Apphia our sister":
• Who may well be Philemon’s wife.
• And to Archippus, "Our fellow-soldier".
• Who may well have been, Philemon’s son.
Therefore incorporating Philemon’s household:
• After all the personal family of Philemon,
• Would be very much interested in the return of Onesimus (runaway slave)
(3). LOCAL CHURCH.
• And Paul also addresses the letter to:
• Verse 2: "The church that meets in your home".
Ill:
• The early church was a house church movement,
• Buildings came later.
• In some places, Christians were forced to meet secretly
• In others places they met openly, often in houses.
And the local church in the city of Collosse:
• Met together in the home of Philemon.
• And he was engaged there in some kind of fulltime work (“fellow worker”
• verse 1).
• That’s the addresser and the addressee:
• Verse 3 is the salutation:
The Salutation:
• Verse 3: "Grace and peace".
• The apostle Paul’s favourite two themes.
• Now use your imagination!!!
• You see.................,
• You know what’s coming,
• Philemon didn’t!!!
And as he read those two words, he probably thought to himself:
• "Grace" that’s how God provided for me.
• "Peace" that’s what God has given to me.
• Thanks Paul for the reminder,
• But unlike us, Philemon doesn’t know where Paul is heading with his letter:
• Paul doesn’t mention Onesimus for a while.
• In fact for a good ten verses.
We all can understand that:
• Often if you have to confront someone you love.
• Before you drop the bombshell.
• You give them something positive,
• To encourage, to soften the blow.
They are not empty words:
• But common sense, mixing affection and correction.
• And like wise Paul doesn’t just write a letter:
• Dear Philemon, accept Onesimus back, signed Paul.
• I don’t think he would have got a favourable response.
(B). Verse 4-7: Commendation and request:
• These verses show to us why Paul refers to Philemon as:
• "A beloved or dear friend" (verse 1b) & "Fellow-worker" (verse 1b).
Look what he says about him:
• Verse 4: "I thank God always for you".
• Verse 5: "I hear of your love".
• Verse 6: "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith".
• Verse 7: "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement".
• Verse 7: "You refresh the hearts of the saints".
• And as Philemon reads each commendation, he’s getting really encouraged:
• Remember this is not empty flattery;
• But rather honest encouragement, Paul is pointing out Philemon strengthens.
Pause: for a minute, ask some personal questions:
• Do you ever do that?
• Do you ever encourage like that?
• There is always going to be enough of the negative,
• The criticism, to stop someone getting a big head.
Quote Billy Graham:
"Some one said to him on one occasion, that God had given him the gift of criticism!!!"
Question:
• How often do you say a word of appreciation and encouragement?
• Or do you only speak to correct?
The proof that Paul’s words weren’t empty:
• Verse 7: "You refresh the hearts of the saints".
• Paul does to Philemon, what he had done so often to other people.
• Nothing is more refreshing than helping a person see their benefits,
• The strengths in their life.
What a great expression verse 7 is:
• "You refresh the hearts of the saints".
• What a ministry to have in life, to be a refresher.
• ill: Proverbs 12 verse 25:
• "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up".
• ill: Living Bible:
• "Anxious hearts are very heavy but a word of encouragement does wonders!".
Verses 8-10: Is the start of the request:
Paul does not pull rank on Philemon:
• He could have reminded him of his credentials,
• He was an apostle, his spiritual father.
• But he simply appeals to him on the basis of love.
• Verse 9: "I appeal to you on the basis of love".
• Or: "I appeal to you on that great characteristic of your life".
• Remember: verse 4: "Love for all the saints".
• Paul simply says, you know how you love all the saints;
• Well I have one more that needs your love!
In verse 10: Philemon must be wondering what’s going on:
• He hears a name that must have grated over his tongue
• A left a bitter aftertaste of disloyalty and desertion.
• That name ’Onesimus’:
• And as Paul mentions Onesimus by name, he sweetens it by the words,
• Verse 10b:
• "My son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains".
ill:
• Most of know what it’s like to be wronged by someone,
• And it’s even worse if they never put it right.
• If we are honest, most of us would just want to get even with that individual.
• We want to justice to be done.
• We are pained because they hurt us.
• Pained because they seemed to be getting away with it.
This is how Philemon must feel:
• He has been let down, his trust has been abused,
• And not only that, he has been robbed by Onesimus.
Now in verse 11 we are given an insight as to what Onesimus is like:
THE OLD ONISUMUS:
• "He was useless to you".
• Maybe he was rebellious and lazy, maybe he worked half-heartedly.
• Paul does not make any excuses for him,
• He freely admits what his character was like,
THE NEW ONISUMUS:
• But that may have been true in the past, but verse 11 goes on to say:
• "But now HE HAS BECOME (the difference Christ makes) useful both to you and to me".
• Philemon doesn’t know that or can’t appreciate that:
• All Onesimus did for him, was to waste his time and cause him problems.
Philemon remembers him as:
• A runaway (verse 15).
• A thief (verse 18).
• (The "IF" (verse 18) seems to imply that Paul is aware that Onesimus has stolen:
• Or why put it in? Why mention it?)
Paul reminds Philemon:
• That, that was the old Onesimus,
• But something has happened - Onesimus has been saved.
• Now he has a new life in Christ:
• New outlook. New values. New motives. New priorities.
And this new Onesimus mentioned in verse 15:
• Is now useful, even in the ministry (verse 13).
• He is also a brother (verse 16).
• It is on the basis of this picture that Paul pleads with Philemon:
• To forgive Onesimus, and to accept him back into his home.
Ill:
Now there was, in Roman law, a clause known as ’Advocacy’.
• If a slave had escaped,
• It was possible for him to return to his master,
• And to be protected,
• If he used an advocate or mediator.
• That advocate would be either the close friend of the offended slave owner.
• Or the business partner of the slave owner.
• Not a relative.
• Either; close friend or partner.
• And if the offended slave owner
• (in this case Philemon):
• Looked with favour on the word of the friend or partner,
• That slave was allowed to return.
Ill:
• In fact there are some cases on record, says one historian:
• Where not only was the slave welcomed back,
• But because of his love for the advocate,
• The slave was adopted by his master into his family.
Apparently this seems to be the clause Paul is referring to in verses 15-17:
• Paul hopes that Philemon will accept Onesimus back,
• With the open arms of a brother:
• Not only in the spiritual sense; "Brother in the Lord" verse 16.
• But in a physical sense: "As a man or in the flesh" verse 16.
(C). Promise and Conclusion.
• Now in verses 19-20: Paul uses:
• A flash of humour, a subtle play on words here;
• In verse 20 we have the word translated "Benefit":
• That word comes from the same Greek word,
• That the name ‘Onesimus’ comes from.
• So Paul is saying to Philemon:
• I’m sending back to you Onesimus.
• In return, I’d you to send me a little ’onesimus’.
• Paul says, as I have benefited you Philemon:
• Now in return you benefit me.
Or as it’s linked with verse 19:
• "You owe me your soul, your very self".
• "Won’t you let me make some profit out of you now?"
Let me see you return, with an attitude of ’o-nine-in’ some benefit from you:
• Refresh my heart in Christ,
• As (verse 4) you have refreshed so many others.
Notice:
• Verse 21 He says:
• "I’m confident.... in fact you will do more than I ask".
Typical of Paul’s dealings with people:
• He always looks, he expects the best from people,
• He doesn’t doubt Philemon will grant his request.
Now if you want to see wither Philemon took Onesimus back:
• Turn to Philemon chapter 2.
• Obviously
• It would be nice to have a Philemon 2,
• Picking up on the story.
But unfortunately we don’t have one:
• We will all have to wait until we get to heaven,
• Before we can know for absolute certainty.
• I’ll tell you what I think happened in a minute!!!
Before that, in finishing:
(C). Promise and conclusion (vs 19-25):
• Paul concludes his postcard in verses 21-24,
• With some personal greetings from others.
• And as a P.S. he writes verse 25.
• "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit".
To finish with their are 5 analogies between Philemon and ourselves:
• The ancient postcard of Philemon has a present day postmark,
• With our names on the forwarding address:
(1). Every Christian was once a fugitive.
• Every Christian was once enslaved to sin,
• From birth, we were all runaways.
• We didn’t want Christ, we lived for self:
• To quote Isaiah: "Like sheep, we had all gone our own way".
(2). Our guilt was great and our penalty was severe.
• The penalty, wages of sin is death.
• Eternal separation from a holy God.
(3). Grace allowed the right of appeal.
• On our own we deserved to be condemned.
• But through the clause of advocacy.
• He (the advocate, the mediator)
• Appeals to the owner on behalf of the guilty one.
(4). Christ paid the debt of our sin.
• Or to quote verse 18:
• "If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me".
• We were in debt but Christ was in credit.
• Not only was he able to meet our debt, our needs, he was also willing.
(5). We are accepted and adopted into God’s family.
• We are accepted by the Father.
• And adopted into his family as sons (Galatians chapter 4 verse 5.)
“But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, 5so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God’s children”.
We know that’s what God did:
• But what about Philemon?
• Did he accept Onesimus back?
• Scripture doesn’t give us an answer,
• But history possibly does!!!
Ill:
• Fifty years after this letter was written;
• There was a church father called Ignatius.
• He was a man who was martyred for his faith,
• And on the way to the stake, he was taken from one place to another:
• His guards stopped at Smerma,
• And he was allowed to write some letters,
• One of those letters was addressed to the Ephesians,
• In his letter Ignatius addressed an individual in his letter who he called:
• "Their wonderful minister, their bishop"
• Guess what his name was? Answer: Onesimus.
Now if you are like me you are probably thinking, there were probably hundreds of Onesimus’:
• Yet in the letter that Ignatius wrote to the Ephesians,
• He refers to Onesimus as the one,
• "Who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me".
• He uses the very same Greek words that appear in verse 11 of Philemon!
We don’t know for sure:
• But from the character of Philemon in verses 4-7.
• And the analogy of the fact,
• We are accepted and adopted into God’s family,
• I would conclude that Onesimus was welcomed back by Philemon.
