It does not come easy, yet as believers, we have to recognize that our ability and willingness to offer it are the result of Christ’s saving work on the cross. (Acts 2:42, NASB95). It very much reminds me of our Lord Jesus Christ, who seems to say to the Divine Father, “This poor child is in fellowship with me. Paul's ultimate desire was that a new sociological relationship would emerge based on this reciprocal spiritual reality. There is much profit to be gained personally and congregationally from a careful study and exposition of Philemon. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. Even though it is so brief, J. He makes himself personally responsible for the debts that Onesimus owes, asking that they be charged to his (Paul’s) account. "A NOTE TO A FRIEND" Scroggie writes 171 pages on ONE CHAPTER and discusses not just each verse but even each phrase. "If he has wronged you or owes you ought, put that to my account" —reckon to me his demerit. Webmaster@bible-studys.org As Philemon would Receive Paul Himself (Philemon 1:12, 17). The New Testament for English Readers, HENRY ALFORD B’ that you have toward the Lord Jesus [“You shall love the Lord your God…”], A’ and for all the saints [“You shall love your neighbor…”]. Exod. Their masters had virtually unlimited power to punish them, and sometimes did so severely for the slightest infractions. The power of the gospel in winning a runaway thief and slave and in changing a master’s mind is clearly shown here. III. Slavery was widespread in the Roman Empire (according to some estimates, slaves constituted one third, perhaps more, of the population) and an accepted part of life. b) Three Attitudes people have towards thanksgiving. Mt 6:12–15; 18:21–35; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13). The NT nowhere directly attacks slavery; had it done so, the resulting slave insurrections would have been brutally suppressed and the message of the gospel hopelessly confused with that of social reform. John Wesley said of Bengel "I know of no commentator on the Bible equal to Bengel" and referred to him as "The great light of the Christian world. (1 Corinthians 1:9, NASB95), The 3rd Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." This shows that Philemon lived in Colossae. faith in Christ. 3. 6, D. Fourthly…A Concern for knowledge (v.6b). Roman law permitted a slave to flee to his master's friend, who could plead for him. F W Farrar writes that Bengel's "Gnomon is a mine of priceless gems. Audio Sermons on Philemon He had a wicked servant, Onesimus, who, having wronged him, ran away from his service. Grand Rapids: Wm. It is quoted as early as the second century, and has ever, except with some few who question everything, remained an undoubted portion of the, writings of St. Philemon was of a very personal nature. These words were repeated to him in his last moments, and on hearing them he pointed with his right hand to his heart, and fell asleep in peace." of
He was the common friend of the parties at variance. Study Bible Notes, INTERVARSITY PRESS little doubt that Paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. While still not recognizing them as persons under the law, the Roman Senate in A.D. 20 granted slaves accused of crimes the right to a trial. In a matter of days he got a reply in the feeble scrawl of the aged. Bengel condensed more matter into a line than can be extracted from pages of other writers.". evidently robbed Philemon, his master (verse 18), and run away. He writes, “If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me” (NASB). Slaves could be doctors, musicians, teachers, artists, librarians, or accountants; in short, almost all jobs could be and were filled by slaves. No man-made chains, no fetters of earth can bind our souls. No permanent marriages were allowed among them, but only temporary unions, which could be broken at the will of the masters. The Nature of One Who Forgives (v.1-7) 1, A. First… A Concern for the Lord (v.4-5a) 1, B. Secondly… A Concern for people (v.5b). (Philippians 1:3-4, NASB95), To those in Colosse he writes "We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you." - Paul’s message to Philemon was a simple one: based on the work of love and forgiveness that had been wrought in Philemon’s heart by God, show the same to the escaped and now-believing slave Onesimus. (Luke 14:12-14, NKJV), Paul said "I will gladly spend myself and all I have for your spiritual good, even though it seems that the, more I love you, the less you love me.” (2 Corinthians 12:15, NLT), In the early church "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Let him partake in the same earnest entreaty. Commentary on Philemon _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-10273872-2']); !!!! the law, the Roman Senate in A.D. 20 granted (or allowed them), to purchase (function() { Paul's reference to the "church in your (sing.) In Philemon, as in the beginning of every letter in the Pauline corpus except Titus, the readers are reminded that every Christian is a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ. (History of Interpretation: Eight Lectures Preached Before the University of Oxford in the Year 1885). Philemon Commentary Commentary on Philemon, This page has devotionals from a variety of sources including Our Daily Bread, Vance Havner, Warren Wiersbe, etc. Though he felt sure that Philemon would have been glad to spare his servant to care for his aged friend, yet Paul would not take the liberty of using his services, but gave Philemon the opportunity to do it of his own accord if he thought fit. New Testament Commentary. var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); Feels the slave must not encounter his outraged master alone, so arranges for Philemon's friend, Tychicus, to accompany him and act as mediator. That was the burden of Paul's prayer for Philemon; and in sending Onesimus back to him, he was creating a new opportunity for his realization of that very thing. 3. Philemon will need to be prepared to show great faith and love. That’s beautifully put. A Note to a Friend - When a Field-Marshal, such as Paul was, speaks of a "private," such as Archippus was, as a "fellow-soldier," he may reckon on that Tommy to follow him in the fight to the death. Paul says to Timothy “I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day” (1:3b). But Paul won him for Christ. 5. _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); Commentary Notes on Philemon The miracle of salvation is not designed to produce a revolution, but a complete regeneration of the heart. Preach Philemon in One or Several Sermons. (2 Corinthians 13:14, NASB95), "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. "