1. (verse 17) What risks was Onesimus taking by returning to his master? What does this indicate about Paul’s willingness to help people who others consider unimportant? What are some ways we can help those who are powerless?

Onesimus was taking immense risks in coming to Philemon. But he was willing to do it. He had no rights and under Roman law was completely powerless. He was entirely at the mercy of Philemon. Paul knew this and so did what he could to help Onesimus. It didn’t matter to him that Onesimus was unimportant in the eyes of the world. He was important in God’s sight. There are many who are powerless. We need to be willing to reach out to them in love and compassion and do what we can to help.

Under Rule 4, we may want to examine this word for "partner." The Greek is koinonon. Under Rule 4 we are to examine the scope, the context, and any parallel passages to help determine the meaning. In Matthew 23:30, Jesus tells the Pharisees they are partakers of the bloodshed of their fathers against the prophets. In Luke 5:10 it is used to mean business partners. In 1 Corinthians 10:18 it is used to indicate participation in an activity. In 1 Corinthians 10:20 the word indicates a fellowship. In 2 Corinthians 1:7 it is used to partake or participate in sufferings. And in 2 Corinthians 8:23 Titus is referred to as a partner and fellow worker. So when Paul refers to Philemon as a partner, it seems he is indicating a closeness that our English word does not reveal.

18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

2. (verse 18) Does this action remind you of the work of someone else in the Bible? Do you think Paul had the money to pay the financial loss Philemon had experienced?

We listed this verse under Rule 6 as a possible "type." Paul is expressing the same redemption by paying the price that Christ exhibited on the cross. A type usually occurs before the event. For example the Passover lamb was a type of Christ’s sacrifice. Because of God’s mercy to us, we naturally want to sacrifice for others. It seems possible that Paul may have been inspired by Christ’s sacrifice to sacrifice for Onesimus. There is no question Paul did not have the resources to pay Philemon. He was solely dependent on the generosity of others for his survival. But from the Letter to the Philippians, we know he had just received a substantial monetary gift from them to meet his physical needs. So he was willing to give it all up for the safety of Onesimus.

19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back not to mention that you owe me your very self.

3. (verse 19) What does it mean that Paul is writing with his own hand? Why do you think he would do this? Can you find another example of Paul using a similar expression in his writings? What do you think Paul means that Philemon owes him his very self?

This phrase indicates to us that Paul often dictated his letters. Then he would add his own statement to show its authenticity. For example in Colossians 4:18 he wrote, "This salutation by my own hand – Paul." In 2 Thessalonians 3:17 he wrote, "The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write." In 1 Corinthians 16:21 he writes, "The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand." And in Galatians 6:11 Paul wrote, "See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!" Paul’s signature authenticated the letter. His signature to Philemon authenticated his pledge.

Paul is willing to pay for any damage Onesimus has caused. But then he gently reminds Philemon that he owes Paul his very self. No doubt it was Paul that led him to salvation in Christ. The clear implication is that Paul is willing to pay for Onesimus and what is Philemon willing to pay Paul? We should be grateful to the one who cared enough to take the time to introduce us to Christ. So much that we would be willing to sacrifice for that person.

20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

4. (verses 20-21) What 4 things in these 2 verses does Paul say that he anticipates from Philemon? Would you be this willing to help someone who is down and out?

Notice that Paul mentions 4 things in these 2 verses that he anticipates from Philemon: 1. some benefit, 2. refresh his heart in Christ, 3. his obedience, and 4. do even more than Paul asks. Paul anticipated that Philemon would be willing to do good things. Do we count on other people the same way? Do we have confidence that they will be willing to help? Many people are willing to help, and are just waiting to be asked. Let us be the one that assists others in getting involved in the lives of others.

22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

5. (verse 22) What does this guest room symbolize? Do you think Paul ever visited Philemon’s house?

Under Rule 6, I proposed that the guest room was a symbol of faith that Paul would be released from prison. Paul would not ask for it and Philemon would not build it unless they believed God would release Paul. After Paul was released from prison, it is conjectured that he embarked on a 4th missionary journey. According to 2 Timothy 4:20 he left Trophimus sick in Miletus. And in 1 Timothy 1:3 he urged Timothy to stay in Ephesus to correct false teachings which he may have encountered there. It is logical to assume that traveling between Miletus and Ephesus he would stop on the way to the church in Colosse and the house of Philemon.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.

6. (verse 23) What was noteworthy about Epaphras? Do you think Epaphras was in prison with Paul? Look up other scriptures about Epaphras in your Concordance or read about him in your Bible Dictionary. What do these other references tell you about him? Why did Paul mention Epaphras more prominently than the men in verse 24?

Epaphras is also mentioned in the letter to the Colossians written at the same time. In Colossians 4:12, Paul writes about him, "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings." Apparently Epaphras was from Colosse so he would be well known to the Colossians and Philemon. Paul says in verses 12-13 that Epaphras "is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis." Also, in Colossians 1:7-8 Paul said, "You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit." Although Paul refers to him as a "fellow prisoner" it seems doubtful that he was actually imprisoned since Paul says he is working hard on behalf of the Colossians, the Laodiceans, and the Hierapolitans.

24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

7. (verse 24) Briefly describe each of these 4 men.

Mark is John Mark who Paul broke company with before his second missionary journey, and who also wrote the gospel of Mark. According to Acts Aristarchus was a Thessalonian from Macedonia and traveled with Paul. Demas at this time was with Paul, but a few years later in 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul says that, "Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me." And Luke was the beloved physician who chronicled Paul’s travels in the book of Acts.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

8. (verse 25) What part of us does Christ minister to? Why is it important that we obtain the grace of Christ? Summarize what you learned from this short letter to Philemon.

Notice this verse tells us Christ’s grace is with our spirit. It is our spirit that reaches out in worship to God. Without God’s mercy and grace, we are separated from him. It is important that we obtain his grace so that we may have a full and abundant life – the way God intended us to live it.

Because we are recipients of the Lord’s mercy, we should want to reach out in mercy to others. This is exactly what Paul did for Onesimus. He was willing to use every ounce of his influence to help Onesimus who was powerless. He was willing to sacrifice his time, his money, and his friendship with Philemon just to help someone whom society did not consider very important. We are also recipients of God’s mercy. Are we as willing to help others? Let us learn from Paul’s example of love and compassion.

Footnotes:

This study on Philemon 17-25 © 1998 by David Humpal. All Rights Reserved.

All scripture unless otherwise noted is from the New International Version.

All questions are based on both the New International Version and the King James Version.