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PHILEM0N
Background to Philemon:
Written from Rome about 61 A.D. during Paul's two
year
imprisonment. Philemon was an older member or even perhaps an elder. The
purpose was
to pursuade Philemon to accept Onesimus,
his runaway slave. Letter was
delivered
by Tychicus and Onesimus.
They probably delivered the letters to the
Colossians and Ephesians.
It is a beautiful letter of
Christian love in handling a touchy situation.
Philemon lived at Colosse.
V. 1 -
Paul does not exert his apostolic authority. Timothy was with him.
Paul
appealed
to him as a brother because God did not condemn slavery.
2 -
A church met in Philemon's house.
4 -
Paul was thankfu1 God had called him.
7 -
Philemon had done a great deal of good.
8
- Paul had the authority to
command Philemon if he wanted to, but this matter
was
not a church problem.
9 -
Paul may have been getting old.
10 -
Onesimus -- his child in the faith.
11 -
Onesimus was probably more in the fault.
12 -
Paul meant he really loved Onesimus.
15 -
Perhaps the purpose for his departure was for conversion.
19 -
This epistle was written by Paul personally. Paul had been used in
bringing
Philemon into eternal
life.
21 -
Notice obedience brought in again.
22 -
Paul merely said to expect him soon, indicating this was near his
release.
24 -
Demas later fell away (II Tim. 4:10).
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