1. PHILEMON THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE FAITH

2. BACKGROUND The primary characters of the letter are Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus – Phlm. 1, 10.The primary characters of the letter are Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus – Phlm. 1, 10. The letter to Philemon is an emotional appeal by Paul that Onesimus be forgiven and freed – vv. 10, 17, 21.The letter to Philemon is an emotional appeal by Paul that Onesimus be forgiven and freed – vv. 10, 17, 21. The key concept being the application of the fellowship of the faith to the real life of a Christian – v. 6.The key concept being the application of the fellowship of the faith to the real life of a Christian – v. 6.

3. GREETING The writer of the letter identifies himself as Paul while he was yet in his first Roman imprisonment – v. 1.The writer of the letter identifies himself as Paul while he was yet in his first Roman imprisonment – v. 1. The primary recipient is Philemon, though Apphia, Archippus, and the church are also identified – vv. 1-2.The primary recipient is Philemon, though Apphia, Archippus, and the church are also identified – vv. 1-2. As was his custom, Paul began with a greeting of grace and peace to the Christians – v. 3.As was his custom, Paul began with a greeting of grace and peace to the Christians – v. 3.

4. THANKSGIVING In nearly all of his letters, Paul would begin with his thanks for the recipients – v. 4; see Eph. 1:16; Col. 1:3.In nearly all of his letters, Paul would begin with his thanks for the recipients – v. 4; see Eph. 1:16; Col. 1:3. The reason Paul was thankful for Philemon was due to Philemon’s love and faith – Phlm. 5, 7.The reason Paul was thankful for Philemon was due to Philemon’s love and faith – Phlm. 5, 7. Yet, there was also purpose motivating Paul’s prayers for Philemon—hoping for application of the principle of fellowship – v. 6.Yet, there was also purpose motivating Paul’s prayers for Philemon—hoping for application of the principle of fellowship – v. 6.

5. PETITION Though Paul had the right to command Philemon to do what was right, he instead implored him – vv. 8-9.Though Paul had the right to command Philemon to do what was right, he instead implored him – vv. 8-9. The appeal was for Onesimus, a runaway slave who had belonged to Philemon – vv. 10-11, 15-16.The appeal was for Onesimus, a runaway slave who had belonged to Philemon – vv. 10-11, 15-16. Yet, after Onesimus’ conversion, Paul had hesitantly determined to send Onesimus back to Philemon so that wrongs could be righted – vv. 12-14.Yet, after Onesimus’ conversion, Paul had hesitantly determined to send Onesimus back to Philemon so that wrongs could be righted – vv. 12-14.

6. PETITION Paul then employed various methods of appeal to encourage Philemon to forgive and free Onesimus.Paul then employed various methods of appeal to encourage Philemon to forgive and free Onesimus. –Paul appealed to the possibility that divine providence had directed the entire situation – vv. 15-16. –Paul appealed to the fellowship that he and Philemon shared and encouraged similar demonstration toward Onesimus – v. 17.

7. PETITION Paul then employed various methods of appeal to encourage Philemon to forgive and free Onesimus.Paul then employed various methods of appeal to encourage Philemon to forgive and free Onesimus. –Paul appealed to the guarantee of future restitution for the previous loss suffered from Onesimus – vv. 18-20; see v. 7. –Paul appealed to the confidence that he had in the loving, faithful, and good nature of Philemon – v. 21; see vv. 5-7.

8. PETITION Paul then employed various methods of appeal to encourage Philemon to forgive and free Onesimus.Paul then employed various methods of appeal to encourage Philemon to forgive and free Onesimus. –Paul appealed to the expectation of a future visit in which he would lodge with Philemon (and review his obedience?) – v. 22.

9. GREETING Paul brings Philemon to a close with personal greetings sent from his fellow workers – vv. 23-24.Paul brings Philemon to a close with personal greetings sent from his fellow workers – vv. 23-24. Paul concludes with a final benediction for the spirit of all the recipients of the letter – v. 25.Paul concludes with a final benediction for the spirit of all the recipients of the letter – v. 25.

10. APPLICATION The faith creates a fellowship between believers, though we are oftentimes very different from one another – vv. 1- 2, 6, 16-17; see Gal. 3:26-29.The faith creates a fellowship between believers, though we are oftentimes very different from one another – vv. 1- 2, 6, 16-17; see Gal. 3:26-29. The fellowship of the faith obligates us to love other Christians, continually finding opportunities to refresh their hearts – Phlm. 5-7, 20.The fellowship of the faith obligates us to love other Christians, continually finding opportunities to refresh their hearts – Phlm. 5-7, 20. –We refresh the hearts of others when we use our hearts to sympathize – Rom. 12:15.

11. APPLICATION The faith creates a fellowship between believers, though we are oftentimes very different from one another – vv. 1- 2, 6, 16-17; see Gal. 3:26-29.The faith creates a fellowship between believers, though we are oftentimes very different from one another – vv. 1- 2, 6, 16-17; see Gal. 3:26-29. The fellowship of the faith obligates us to love other Christians, continually finding opportunities to refresh their hearts – Phlm. 5-7, 20.The fellowship of the faith obligates us to love other Christians, continually finding opportunities to refresh their hearts – Phlm. 5-7, 20. –We refresh the hearts of others when we use our mouths to edify – Eph. 4:29.

12. APPLICATION The faith creates a fellowship between believers, though we are oftentimes very different from one another – vv. 1- 2, 6, 16-17; see Gal. 3:26-29.The faith creates a fellowship between believers, though we are oftentimes very different from one another – vv. 1- 2, 6, 16-17; see Gal. 3:26-29. The fellowship of the faith obligates us to love other Christians, continually finding opportunities to refresh their hearts – Phlm. 5-7, 20.The fellowship of the faith obligates us to love other Christians, continually finding opportunities to refresh their hearts – Phlm. 5-7, 20. –We refresh the hearts of others when we use our hands to serve – Gal. 5:13.

13. APPLICATION The fellowship of the faith leads us to forgive and free those who have wronged us—even when we would rather not – Phlm. 15-21; see Col. 3:12-15.The fellowship of the faith leads us to forgive and free those who have wronged us—even when we would rather not – Phlm. 15-21; see Col. 3:12-15.