SUMMARY OF PHILEMON

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

FROM PHILEMON

·        Spiritual equality of masters and slaves

o   Contrast of wealthy Philemon and slave Onesimus, but they were spiritually equal in the body of Christ

o   Masters and slaves could overcome social barriers and be friends, brothers or sisters in Christ

·        Repentance

o   Onesimus had come to know Jesus and, therefore, had repented of stealing and running away

o   Although Onesimus had repented before God, he still needed to face the consequences of his actions by returning to his master

o   Jesus enables us to repent and acts as our bridge to the Father

·        Forgiveness

o   Character

§  It was evident that Philemon had received the new nature of being in Christ

§  Philemon loved Jesus and his brothers and sisters in Christ

§  Paul prayed the Lord would use Philemon’s testimony to bring others to Jesus

o   Actions

§  Paul asked Philemon to receive Onesimus with the implication of restoring him to his position

§  Forgiveness needs to be willingly, not grudgingly

§  Paul wanted Philemon to understand that Onesimus was now more than a servant, he was a brother in the family of God

§  Paul asked Philemon to treat Onesimus as he would Paul, VIP treatment

o   Motivation

§  Paul asked Philemon to forgive based on his love for Jesus and his fellow believer Onesimus

§  Paul offered to pay any debt Onesimus owed to Philemon

§  Part of Philemon’s motive to forgive would be his love for and allegiance to the one who led him to the Lord, Paul

§  Philemon had a reputation of doing what was just and right

§  Paul planned to personally visit Philemon when he was freed from prison