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Grace Bible Church
Glorifying God by Making Disciples
of Jesus Christ
Foundations for an Appeal
Philemon 1-9
•The Salutation - verse 1-3
 Author & Timing: Written by Paul at
the same time as Ephesians and
Colossians ~ A.D. 61 or 62
 Tychicus is not mentioned but is
probably the one that carried the
letter
Recipients
Philemon 1-2
•Philemon - “beloved” - they probably met
and become close while Paul was in
Ephesus.
•A “fellow worker” with at least some
important ministry in the church that met at
his home
•Apphia - a “sister” - a believer who is
probably Philemon’s wife
Recipients
Philemon 1-2
•Archippus - a “fellow soldier” - the same one
Paul had encouraged in ministry in
Colossians 4
•He may have been Philemon’s son, and a
leader in the church. Paul identified with his
ministry.
•The church at Philemon’s house - Paul’s plea
to Philemon would also be a plea to them
Greeting
Philemon 3
•A simple wish for God’s blessing and
peace to be upon them.
•The deity of Jesus is affirmed as the one
joined with the Father in giving grace
and peace
The Purpose of the Letter
Philemon 4-25
•Paul is making an appeal to Philemon to
accept back his runaway slave,
Onesimus, as a Christian brother
Flight & Conversion
•Onesimus fled from his master & may
have stolen things from him - vs. 18
•He went to Rome, where by some means
met Paul
•He heard the gospel, was converted and
become dear & useful to Paul
•He was voluntarily going back to
Philemon, his master
Roman Slavery
•Slavery was crucial to the Roman economy
and common in daily social life
•Slaves made up between 25-40% of the
population
Roman Slavery
•Sources of slaves included:
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Wars of conquest;
Kidnap victims of slave traders;
Children born to slaves
Selling oneself or a relative to pay off debt - or better one’s position
Roman Slavery
•A slave could be in an equal to or even better
economic condition compared to a noncitizen free man
•Capable slaves might be educated and gain
kills in business, trade, medicine or even the
arts
•Manumission was common – by earning or
having it granted.
Roman Slavery
•A cruel master was a slave’s greatest danger,
followed by physically demanding or
dangerous work.
•Slaves were considered chattel property and
proper treatment made economic sense
Roman Slavery
•Slaves had minimal legal rights - which
could be ignored.
•They were subject to the whims of their
master – including being beaten / scourged
or even killed if the master were cruel
Runaway Slaves
•If caught, they would be branded on the
forehead and could have their joints / bones
broken
•The master could severely scourge them or
even kill them as a warning to other slaves
•Roman law heavily penalized non-citizens
that would hide a runaway slave
Runaway Slaves
•The Fugitivarii were professional slave
catchers
•A Roman citizen, such as Paul, was not
legally obligated to turn in a fugitive slave to
a non-citizen
•Traveling with Tycichus protected Onesimus
from slave catchers, and Paul’s letter would
intervene with Philemon
Paul’s Thankfulness
Philemon 4-5
•Paul was thankful to God about
Philemon’s spiritual maturity
demonstrated in love and faith
•Philemon’s faith in Jesus Christ
generated his love for all the saints
Paul’s Prayer
Philemon 6
•A general prayer for Philemon’s
continued growth in spiritual maturity
•A specific prayer that Philemon will
apply Christ’s example in his response
to Onesimus
Paul’s Joy
Philemon 7
•Paul was joyful because Philemon had
brought emotional refreshment / rest to
the saints
•Paul found joy & comfort in Philemon’s
spiritual maturity and ministry to other
people
The Basis of Paul’s Appeal
Philemon 8-9
•Paul knew well his position and
authority as an Apostle, but he refused
to use that to compel Philemon
•Paul made his appeal strictly on the
basis of love - “. . . for love’s sake I
rather appeal.”
Conclusions
•Philemon had the kind of character that
all of us should want in our own lives.
•Paul gives the model of how mature
believers should interact with each other
Grace Bible Church
Glorifying God by Making Disciples
of Jesus Christ