To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

AT HOME IN THE COMMUNITY

Bible Background • PHILEMON
Printed Text • PHILEMON 1:8-18
Devotional Reading • COLOSSIANS 4:2-9

AIM for Change

By the end of the lesson, we will:
EXPLAIN why Paul pleaded for Onesimus,
EXPLORE our feelings about standing up for someone needing advocacy, and
IDENTIFY ways we can stand up for someone being bullied or discriminated against.

Keep in Mind

"Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say" (Philemon 1:21).

Focal Verses

^KJV Philemon 1:8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

16 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?

17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

Background

Although there are other names mentioned, Philemon is actually a personal letter from Paul to Philemon, appealing on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave. Philemon lived either near or in the city of Colosse, which was located in what is now Turkey.

Philemon was a wealthy landowner who had partnered with Paul in the ministry. Although we do not know much about this partnership, we do know that Philemon opened his spacious home in Colosse for a new church to meet. Paul wrote and sent a letter to these Colossian Christians at the same time that he wrote the personal letter to Philemon.

When Paul wrote this correspondence, he was in prison, either in Ephesus or Rome. He included Timothy in the greeting, but we can tell that this was a personal letter from Paul because he wrote in the first person, "I." He mentioned that the letter was to Philemon and Sister Apphia, probably Philemon's wife, and Archippus who was either Philemon's son or an elder in the church (v. 1). By including these others in the address, Paul added strength to his appeal to Philemon. This is just one of the many devices used by Paul to assure that Philemon would follow his advice.

The substance of Paul's letter to Philemon was an appeal on behalf of Onesimus, a slave who had run away from Philemon. Paul greeted Philemon as a beloved co-worker. Although Philemon's socio-economic status was above that of Paul's, Paul could have exerted his apostolic authority over Philemon, but he chose not to. Instead he appealed to Philemon as a brother, one whom he prays for and always thanks God for (v. 4). He commended Philemon for loving all people and for his generosity and kindness toward God's people. As he praised Philemon for these virtues, Paul hoped that he would show these same characteristics toward Onesimus, who has now become a believer also.