Chapter 1
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16Not 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?
17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
19I 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.
20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 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?”
Overview
Paul writes to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who has become a believer through Paul's ministry in prison. Paul appeals not by command but by love, asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back not as a servant but as a beloved brother in Christ, and offering to repay any debt Onesimus owes. This brief letter is a masterpiece of Christian persuasion, demonstrating how the gospel transforms social relationships.
Key Themes
The Transforming Power of the Gospel
The gospel transforms a runaway slave into a beloved brother and calls a slaveholder to receive him as an equal in Christ, radically altering human relationships.
Intercession and Substitution
Paul offers to take Onesimus's debt upon himself, providing a powerful picture of how Christ stood in our place and bore what we owed.
Love Over Command
Paul could command Philemon by apostolic authority but instead appeals by love, demonstrating that gospel persuasion works through grace rather than coercion.
Study Questions
How does Paul's approach to Philemon model the way believers should address sensitive issues (vv. 8-9)?
What does Paul's offer to pay Onesimus's debt (vv. 18-19) teach us about the gospel?
How does the gospel transform the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus (v. 16)?
What does it mean to receive a former offender 'not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved' (v. 16)?
How does this letter challenge the way we view social hierarchy in light of our shared identity in Christ?
Connection to Christ
Paul's intercession for Onesimus and his offer to bear Onesimus's debt mirrors Christ's work on our behalf. As Paul says 'receive him as myself' (v. 17) and 'put that on mine account' (v. 18), we hear an echo of Christ who took our sin upon Himself and presents us to the Father as His own.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Philemon 1. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?
Philemon
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