Letter to Philemon
By H. A. (Buster) Dobbs


Quote:
I. Introduction.
A. Greeting (1:1-3).
1. Letter written by Paul (1:1).
a. Paul describes himself as a prisoner of Jesus (1:1)
b. Timothy was with Paul (1:1).
2. Letter written to Philemon (1:1).
a. Also written to Apphia, our sister (1:2).
b. Also Archippus, our fellow-soldier (1:2).
c. Also to the church in thy house (1:2).
3. Paul wishes for them grace and peace (1:3).
B. Personal remarks (1:4-7).
1. Paul was thankful for Philemon and prayed for him (1:4).
2. Paul knew of Philemon's love and faith (1:5).
3. Paul wanted the Philemon to share his faith with others (1:6).
a. We share faith through preaching the word to the lost
(1:6).
b. Faith is shared when we feed the hungry and take care of
the needy (1:6).
4. Philemon extended hospitality to the saved (1:7).
II. Main Subject of the Letter (1:8-21).
A. Paul could have commanded Philemon to do the right thing
(1:9).
1. The apostle preferred to entreat Philemon because of love
(1:9).
a. Paul reminded Philemon of his age (1:9).
b. He also mentioned he was a prisoner of Jesus (1:9).
B. Paul begs Philemon on behalf of Onesimus (1:10-14).
1. Paul converted Onesimus while Paul was in prison (1:10).
2. Paul says the once unprofitable Onesimus was now
profitable to both the apostle and to Philemon (1:11).
3. Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon (1:12-14).
a. Paul loved Onesimus (1:12).
b. Paul wanted to keep Onesimus with him to help the
apostle in his imprisonment (1:13).
c. Paul would not keep Onesimus without the consent of
Philemon because he did not want to force a benefit
against the will of the benefactor (1:14).
C. Reasons for receiving and restoring Onesimus (1:15-19).
1. Onesimus returns as a brother in the Lord with whom
Philemon might spend eternity in heavenly rest (1:15).
2. Paul says that Onesimus comes back to Philemon not as just
a slave but as a brother in Christ (1:16).
a. In the flesh, Onesimus was Philemon's slave (1:16).
b. In the Lord, Onesimus was Philemon's brother (1:16).
3. Paul pleads with Philemon to receive Onesiums as he would
receive Paul if he came to Philemon (1:17).
4. If Onesimus owes Philemon anything, Paul will repay it
(1:18-19).
a. Paul wrote the bond with his hand (1:19).
b. Paul does not invoke the fact that Philemon owed his very
self to the apostle (1:19).
D. Personal appeal (1:20-22).
1. Paul says that if Philemon will receive Onesiums and treat
him well, it would give him joy and rest his heart in Christ
(1:20).
2. Paul expresses confidence and satisfaction that Philemon
would do what Paul wanted him to do (1:21).
3. Paul wanted Philemon to prepare accommodations for him
because he expected to be released from prison and visit with
Philemon (1:22).
III. Conclusion (1:23-25).
A. Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, Paul's
fellow-workers, sent their good wishes (1:23-24).
B. Paul wanted the favor of Jesus to be with Philemon's spirit
(1:25).
Shain1611

"SANCTIFY THEM THROUGH THY TRUTH: THY WORD IS TRUTH
(John 17:17)

And Jesus Speaking; " He that rejecteth me, receiveth not my words, hath one that, judgeth him:the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in
( John12:48 KJV)