Philemon Lesson 01

Philemon Chapter 1

Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies

Website: http://www.kjvbiblestudies.net

Introduction: We begin and conclude a study on Philemon this week. This is one of a very few books with only one chapter. The book of Philemon is another of Paul’s prison epistles written around 64 A.D. Onesimus is the main figure in this book, and he was a slave of Philemon who had robbed his master and fled to Rome.

Philemon is a man well known to Timothy, and Paul was instrumental in leading Onesimus to the Lord here in Rome. The chapter centers around Paul sending Onesimus back with this letter from Paul.

I. Apostolic Greetings

Phile 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

Phile 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

Phile 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This letter is addressed to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church in Philemon’s house. As we have found in our church history study recently, many of the early churches were people who came together in church capacity at a home of one of the members, many times the pastor of the church. It is believed that Apphia was the wife of Philemon and Archippus may have been his son. Paul apparently knew that Archippus was a Christian as he calls him a fellow soldier in verse 2. From Colossians 4:17 we gather that Archippus was a preacher and possibly a pastor there in Colosse.

Col 4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

It may be that Philemon was well acquainted with Timothy and highly respected him which is why Paul included his name in the salutation. Paul declares again that he is a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and considered this the exact will of God for His life.

J. Vernon McGee said this about Paul being a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ.” I have noticed that several of the commentaries try to change this and explain it away by teaching that Paul really meant that he was a prisoner because he was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. But that is not what Paul said, and Paul had the ability of saying exactly what he had in mind. He was using the Greek language, which is a very flexible, versatile language. He said he was a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

If we had been there we might have had a conversation with Paul like this:

“Poor Paul, it’s too bad these Romans put you in jail.”

“They didn’t put me in jail.”

“Oh, we know what you mean. Those hateful religious rulers brought a charge against you.”

“They didn’t put me in jail either.”

“Who put you in jail, then?”

“Jesus Christ. I’m His prisoner.”

“You mean to tell me that you would serve Someone who would put you in prison?”

“Yes, when it’s His will for me to be in prison, I’m in prison. When it’s His will for me to be out of prison, I’ll be out of prison. When it’s His will for me to be sick, I’m going to be sick. I belong to Him. Since I belong to Him, I have learned to be content in whatsoever state I am in. Everything is all right. Don’t worry about me.”

Obviously, the letter to Philemon is one of the Prison Epistles. It goes along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.

II. Paul’s Praise of Philemon

Phile 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

Phile 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

Philemon was apparently a man of excellent morals and of high character. Paul said he gave thanks for the love and faith exhibited in Philemon’s life. Paul said he remembered to always pray for Philemon. You and I should remember one another in prayer and ask God to give us this kind of love and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. We should be known as people who love the Lord and live such a way as to exemplify Christ in our daily walk.

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