Paul’s Letter to Philemon

A very personal letter From Paul – a prisoner for Christ To Philemon – a beloved fellow worker About Onesimus – Paul’s child in the faith

Paul Affirms Philemon Gives Thanks for Philemon’s Love & Faith Prays for the Effectiveness of Philemon’s Faith Acknowledges Philemon’s Care & Comfort

Paul Appeals to Philemon Instead of Commanding, Paul Appeals for Love’s Sake on behalf of Onesimus My child (v. 10) My very heart (v. 12) Beloved brother (v. 16)

Paul Appeals to Philemon In the past, Onesimus was Useless, but now, he is Useful To Paul in his ministry (v. 13) To Philemon in his household (v. 15)

Paul Acts for Onesimus Receive Onesimus as you would receive me Charge what Onesimus owes you to me I will repay it! “I, Paul, write this with my own hand.” (v. 19)

Paul becomes the Presence of Christ to Philemon by taking up the burden of Onesimus “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

“The Christian, must bear the burden of a brother. He must suffer and endure the brother. It is only when he is a burden that another person is really a brother and not merely an object to be manipulated….God took men upon Himself and they weighted Him to the ground, but God remained with them and they with God. In bearing with men God maintained fellowship with them. It was the law of Christ that was fulfilled in the Cross. And Christians must share in this law.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together