Philemon study
Philemon study • Sermon • Submitted
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A STUDY IN PHILEMON
A STUDY IN PHILEMON
Lesson - “Living in Grace”
Grace 2x
Love or beloved 4x
Preferred Title “Living in Love”
Written about 60 AD Most likely sent with the letter of Colossians Philemon most likely lived in or near Colossi. Tychicus and Onesimus delivered the letter (Col 4:7,9)This is a personal letter to Philemon, not a general letter to the church in Colossi
KJV
Phm 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
Phm 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
Prisoner – “a captive, in bonds”
of Christ Jesus
Timothy – “dear to God”
Timothy – “dear to God”
Brother – could be literal or figuratively
Brother – could be literal or figuratively
Philemon – “friendly”
Philemon – “friendly”
Fellow Laborer – “companion in labor, helper”
Fellow Laborer – “companion in labor, helper”
Apphia – a foreign woman probably from Colossi.
Beloved – (agapaytos GK) “dearly or well loved”
Beloved – (agapaytos GK) “dearly or well loved”
Also may have been Philemon’s wife
Archippus – “horse ruler”
Archippus – “horse ruler”
Col 4:17 speaks of Archippus was given a ministry from the Lord.
Some believe that he may have been a pastor to the church meeting at Philemon’s house
Fellow soldier – “a co-campaigner (fig) or an associate” (refers to Archippus)
It is interesting to note, that when we look at the Greek meaning of the key words in this passage that we have a captive of Christ along with one who is dear to God and one close as a brother, writing to a friend and helper in God’s work, one who is dearly loved, as well as to a foreign woman, a horse ruler (who would have wealth) who has also campaigned with this captive for the advancement of the gospel of Christ.
Church – “called out”
House – “family, household in a dwelling”
This letter was not written to a church but to Philemon. It is believed that “to the church in your house” refers to the Christians in his household. (Rom 16:5, 1 Cor 16:19). Col 4:15 ““…and Nymphas and the church that is in his house,” which, since it was in Colosse itself, seems almost conclusive for this meaning”. Pulpit commentary
Paul’s pattern is found in Acts 17:1-2; 13:5; 13:14; 14:1; 17:10; 17:17; 18:4; 18:19; – he went to a synagogue first. Only when he could no longer meet in a public place did he meet in a house or other location. (Acts 18:4,7). In Acts 18:26-28 we see that Apollos, also a Christian, spoke in the synagogue. Aquilla and Priscilla heard him in the synagogue (they attended) therefore, suggesting that meeting in a public building was the preferred pattern of the early church, not meeting in cell groups or the seeker sensitive model.We must also remember that Christians are “called out”, or separated unto Christ. Holiness is a characteristic of the Christian.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace – Speaks of gratitude relating to the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life.
Grace could also be defined as “God’s goodness to undeserved man”
Peace – Speaks of prosperity, quietness, restPaul opened most of his letters like this. In Timothy and Titus he would add mercy to grace and peace – perhaps because they are pastoral letters.18 times in the Pauline letters Paul uses Grace then peace, never the other way around – Why? Because you can’t have peace without grace.Note the source of grace and peace comes from God alone
THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHRISTIAN
THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHRISTIAN
1. A CHRISTIAN PRAYS
I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
It all starts with your relationship with jesus
Matt 6:5 “…and when you pray…” not if you pray!
1 Thess 5:17 “pray without ceasing”
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
2. A CHRISTIANS TESTIMONY IS FULL OF LOVE AND FAITH – toward Jesus and the saints
because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;
This is the key verse that sets the stage for the rest of the letter. Love is the reason we serve Christ and as a result one another. Love covers a multitude of sins ( 1 Peter 4:8). Love never fails
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
Love never fails!
The command of Jesus John 13:34-35
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Faith and love go hand in hand. They cannot be separated. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6) and God is love (1 John 4:8)
and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.
“Render thus: So that the community of thy faith [with other Christians, whom you may be able to serve] may show itself in act, causing full acknowledgment [from the world without] of every good work for Jesus Christ that is in you; literally, may become working. Not a theoretical or merely quiescent faith. Pulpit Commentary
3. CHRISTIANS ARE REFRESHED [given rest GK] – because of Christs’ love in you
For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Philemon 1:7 KJV
King James Version Philemon
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother
Bowels of the saints KJV – “the bowels were regarded as the seat of the more violent passions, such as anger and love; but by the Hebrews as the seat of the tenderer affections, especially kindness, benevolence, compassion; hence our heart (tender mercies, affections, etc.)” Thayer Dictionary
· Love is a fruit of the Spirit, not a good work
Gal 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love…”
Genuine Love can only be given as a work of the Spirit
· Love is sacrificial
John 15:13 – Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
· Love is suffers long
1 Cor 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind;
Brother – family
11 CHARACTERISTICS OF A BELIEVER (A reflection of Love)
11 CHARACTERISTICS OF A BELIEVER (A reflection of Love)
Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper,
yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,
The focus here is Love. (For love’s sake vs 9) Love covers a multitude of sins. Love binds people together. Love does not demand its way but lets others choose the right path.
Paul had rights (from a worldly perspective) but love supersedes rights.
Paul reminds Philemon of respect for the aged and prisoner of Christ - speaks to him as a respected elder
1. A Believer SERVES IN LOVE
Jn 13:1-17 – Jesus washes the disciples feet
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Beseech KJV (Appeal GK) – call for, desire
2. A believer HAS A STRONG LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER
Begotten -- gennaō (g1080) to procreate (properly of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively to regenerate: - bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, Strongs
Used in the begates in the genealogies, John 3 “born again”
who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.
I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart,
whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;
NOTE: Onesimus means profitable (GK)
3. A Believer SURRENDERS HIS OWN DESIRES because of Love
(willing KJV, voluntary NKJV).
4. A Believer DOES NOT DEMAND OF PEOPLE (or force his authority on others) because of love
For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,
· Another example of this is found in 2 Cor 2:8. Here Paul is urging (pleading or begging) the Corinthians to reaffirm (ratify) your love for the repentant man. He is not demanding or forcing his authority over them.
(For complete background 1 Cor 5:1-8, 2 Cor 4:4-8)
5. A Believer REALIZES GOD’S SEASONS Love is patient
Eccl 3:1 – “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”
no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
6. A Believer BUILDS UP OTHERS “A BELOVED BROTHER” by demonstrating love
If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.
Greek word for brother same as in 1:1 refering to Timothy
7. A Believer COVERS FOR OTHERS through love
But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account;
I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).
Love covers a multitude of sins
This includes respect, love, and working in harmony with each other
8. A Believer REFRESHES ONE ANOTHER through Love
Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
9. A Believer WORKS WITH OTHERS in Love
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.
· We are all part of one body (1 Cor 12:13)
· Jesus prayed that we would be one
that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
10. A Believer ENCOURAGES BUT DOES NOT DEMAND OBEDIENCE because of love
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.
At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.
· Seven times “be of good cheer” is mentioned in the Bible, 5x times by Christ, 2x by Paul
11. A Believer TRUSTS GOD who is Love
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Salute – aspazomai as-pad'-zom-ahee to enfold in the arms, that is, (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome: - embrace, greet,
2Ti 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,
All others mentioned favorably in the NT as faithful Chrisitans
Fellow prisoners – suffering together for the Lord
Fellow labourers – working together for the Lord
Grace is necessary in order for every believer to operate in love
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