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.
20 Yes, brother, (why we say it at church, or if we forget a name?:) let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.
22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
24 as do (John) Mark (author of Gospel, cousin of Barnabas who accompanied Paul on his 1st missionary journey; this was Paul’s 1st mention of him in ~ 15 years after their disagreement in Acts 15), Aristarchus (volunteered to come in?) , Demas, Dr. Luke (Gentile Christian who wrote the Gospel. Paul’s companion), my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Paul’s 14 arguments to Philemon (c/o Marilyn Hickey)
1. Show your love to Onesimus as you do to all the saints.
2. Paul asked this on his own authority.
3. Wave the authority of being a master over the slave and free him for love’s sake.
4. Paul uses the fact that he is old and a prisoner to persuade Philemon.
5. Paul mentioned his own spiritual relationship to Philemon and to Onesimus – Paul had begotten them both in the Lord.
6. Paul said, “Your forgiveness of Onesimus is profitable for both of us.” Author of the win-win situation?
7. Paul appealed on the basis of his own strong (Godly) affection for Philemon.
8. Paul said that he denied himself in sending Onesimus back.
9. Philemon need not fear that Onesimus would ever run away again.
10. Onesimus was not a servant now; he was a brother.
11. Paul said, “Receive him as you would me.”
12. Paul promised satisfaction for the debt – he would pay it himself.
13. Philemon’s forgiveness of Onesimus would give Paul joy and comfort.
14. Paul concluded, “I have confidence in you, Philemon.”
It is in this context that we can better understand the example of Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon. Onesimus, a slave of Philemon who apparently stole some money from his master and ran away, encountered Paul in Rome and became a Christian. Paul sent him back to his master carrying the letter to Philemon.
Author of the famous Bible Handbook, Henry Halley writes:
The Bible gives no hint as to how the master received his returning slave. But there is a tradition that says his master did receive him, and took Paul's veiled hint and gave the slave his liberty. That is the way the Gospel works. Christ in the heart of the slave made the slave recognize the social usages of his day, and go back to his master determined to be a good slave and live out his natural life as a slave. Christ in the heart of the master made the master recognize the slave as a Christian brother and give him his liberty. There is a tradition that Onesimus afterward became a bishop of Berea.
The Mosaic slave laws and the writings of Paul benefited and protected the slaves as best as possible in their situation. God's desire for any who are enslaved is freedom (Luke 4:18; Gal. 5:1). Those who are set free in Christ then need to be prepared to walk in liberty. Pagan nations had a much different outlook toward slaves, believing slaves had no rights or privileges. Because of the restrictions and humane aspect of the Mosaic laws on slavery, it never existed on a large scale in Israel, and did not exhibit the cruelties seen in Egypt, Greece, Rome, Assyria and other nations. www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=120
Types of Slavery Permitted by the Bible / The Mosaic law permitted some types of slavery These include:
1. Voluntary servitude by the sons of Israel (indentured servants)
Those who needed assistance, could not pay their debts, or needed protection from another were allowed under Biblical law to become indentured servants (see Ex. 21:2-6; Deut. 15:12-18). They were dependent on their master instead of the state. This was a way to aid the poor and give them an opportunity to get back on their feet. It was not to be a permanent subsidy. Many early settlers to America came as indentured servants. These servants were well treated and when released, given generous pay.
2. Voluntary permanent slaves
If indentured servants so chose, they could remain a slave (Ex. 21:2-6; Deut.. 15:16-17). Their ear was pierced to indicate this permanent subjection. The law recognized that some people want the security of enslavement. Today, there are some people who would rather be dependent upon government to provide their needs (and with that provision accepting their commands) than do what is necessary to live free from its provision and direction. Some even act in a manner that puts them in jail, desiring the care and provision they get more than personal freedom.
3. Thief or criminal making restitution
A thief who could not, or did not, make restitution was sold as a slave: “If a man steals . . . he shall surely make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft” (Ex. 22:1,3). The servitude ceased when enough work was done to pay for the amount due in restitution. AREN’T YOU GLAD NOT NOW?
4. Pagans could be permanent slaves NASB
Leviticus 25:44-46 states: As for your male and female slaves whom you may have - you may acquire male and female slaves from the pagan nations that are around you. Then, too, it is out of the sons of the sojourners who live as aliens among you that you may gain acquisition, and out of their families who are with you, whom they will have produced in your land; they also may become your possession. You may even bequeath them to your sons after you, to receive as a possession; you can use them as permanent slaves. But in respect to your countrymen [brother], the sons of Israel, you shall not rule with severity over one another. In the Sabbath year all Hebrew debtors/slaves were released from their debts. This was not so for foreigners (Deut. 15:3).
Theologian R.J. Rushdoony writes, “since unbelievers are by nature slaves, they could be held as life-long slaves” 1 without piercing the ear to indicate their voluntary servitude (Lev. 25:44-46). This passage in Leviticus says that pagans could be permanent slaves and could be bequeathed to the children of the Hebrews. However, there are Biblical laws concerning slaves that are given for their protection and eventual redemption. Slaves could become part of the covenant and part of the family, even receiving an inheritance. Under the new covenant, a way was made to set slaves free internally, which should then be following by external preparation enabling those who were slaves to live at liberty, being self-governed under God. www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=120
Summary / Application / Conclusion
Christ paid our debts / sins (past, present & future) by dying on the cross and rising from the dead.
Our taxes show our literal debt as we help our country, as we help others.
We see in this book the importance of prayer and small groups.
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2: 17
It’s better to appeal to someone than to order them.
It’s important for us to have a servant heart.
