Explanation: In Philemon, Paul, who is in prison, and Timothy, write to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church which is in Philemon's house. They wish grace and peace upon them (1-3).
     Paul then speaks to Philemon individually. He says that he thanks God for him in his prayers. He appreciates his love for the Lord and for all the saints. He expects good things to come from Philemon's good character. In particular, Paul finds spiritual refreshment in knowing how Philemon refreshes the saints emotionally and spiritually (4-7).
     In accord with these qualities of Philemon, Paul appeals to him, instead of commanding him, to be kind to Onesimus. In order that the appeal might be heart to heart, rather than official, Paul mentions his advanced age and the fact that he is a prisoner for the Lord. Thereby, he stirs sympathy for himself, hoping it will transfer to Onesimus. As an additional incentive, he mentions that he became a spiritual father to Onesimus in his imprisonment. Formerly, he was useless to Onesimus, but now he has become useful both to Philemon and to Paul (8-11).
     Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon, even though he is as dear to him as his own heart. Paul wanted to keep Onesimus in order that he might serve him on Philemon's behalf, but he did not want to do anything without Philemon's consent. He did not want to compel Philemon to do him a favor (12-14).
     Paul surmises that Onesimus was parted from Philemon for a while in order that he might have him back forever as a beloved brother. So Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul. He promises, in his own handwriting, to pay Philemon anything which Onesimus owes him, even though Philemon owes Paul his very self. Paul asks for some benefit from Philemon in the Lord, and he is confident that Philemon will do even more than he asks. Paul also asks that Philemon prepare a guest room for him, because he expects to be delivered from prison by Philemon's prayers (15-22).
     Paul closes with greetings from Epaphras, his fellow prisoner and from Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, his fellow workers. He asks that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ will be with his spirit (23-25).]
     [Sermons: Eric Alexander. William Still. Various. ]
     [Illustration: Today's image depicts Onesimus, who is mentioned in today's chapter. The image depicts the tradition that Onesimus became a Christian martyr. ]

: Romans 1:8-15; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; Philippians 1:3-11; Colossians 1:3-14; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12. Philemon 1:8-14: Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 2 Corinthians 10:1-6; Ephesians 4:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:1-15. Philemon 1:15-20: Romans 16:1-2; 1 Corinthians 16:10-12; 1 Corinthians 16:15-18; 2 Corinthians 3:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; Ephesians 6:21-22; Philippians 2:19-24; Colossians 4:7-9; Philemon 1:8-14; Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 7:17-24; Galatians 6:1-6; Ephesians 4:25-32; Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22. Philemon 1:21-22: Romans 15:22-29; 1 Corinthians 4:14-21; 1 Corinthians 14:37-40; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 1 Corinthians 16:5-9; 2 Corinthians 1:15-22; 2 Corinthians 1:23 - 2:4; 2 Corinthians 9:1-5; 2 Corinthians 12:19 - 13;10; Colossians 4:16-18a; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; Philemon 1:21-22; Romans 15:30-33; Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 1:19-26; Philippians 1:27-30; Philippians 2:12-13; Philippians 2:19-24; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5. Philemon 1:23-24: Romans 16:3-16; Romans 16:21-23; 1 Corinthians 16:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Philippians 4:21-22; Colossians 4:10-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:26. Philemon 1:25: Romans 16:20b; 1 Corinthians 16:23-24; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 6:18; Ephesians 6:23-24; Philippians 4:23; Colossians 4:18b; 1 Thessalonians 5:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:18. ]
     NOTE: The parallels above are based in a very small part on my own research but principally on the following sources:
     Fred O Francis and J. Paul Sampley, Pauline Parallels, Second Edition. (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Fortress Press, 1984).
     Most of the material on Hebrews is from an online article titled Pauline parallels in Hebrews taken from Charles H. Welch and Stuart Allen Welch, Perfection Or Perdition? An Exposition Of The Epistle To The Hebrews, (London: Berean Publishing Trust, 1973). ]



          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]

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GOSPEL HARMONIES

Gospel Harmony - Summary. | The Harmony of the Gospels - Augustine. | Gospel Harmony Chart - Online Bible. |

Greek Harmony of the Gospels - Robertson - (Downloadable PDF). | Gospel Harmony in English - Robertson - (Downloadable PDF).

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*** For Additional word studies use one of the Greek Interlinear Bibles below. ***

Mounce Interlinear. Bible Hub Greek Interlinear. Scripture 4 All Greek Interlinear Bible.

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Book Outline:

1. Encouragement for Philemon (Philemon - Verses 1-7 ) - 60 A.D. Rome
2. Plea on Behalf of Onesimus (Philemon - Verses 8-25) - 60 A.D. Rome

Philemon

1. Encouragement for Philemon (Philemon - Verses 1-7 ) - 60 A.D. Rome

     ¹ Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timotheus our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, ² And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: ³ grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

     ⁴ I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, ⁵ Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; ⁶ That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ⁷ For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

2. Plea on Behalf of Onesimus (Philemon - Verses 8-25) - 60 A.D. Rome

     ⁸ Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, ⁹ Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: ¹¹ Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: ¹² Whom I I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: ¹³ Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: ¹⁴ But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. ¹⁵ For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; ¹⁶ Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother belovedd, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

     ¹⁷ If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. ¹⁸ If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; ¹⁹ I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. ²⁰ Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

     ²¹ Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. ²² But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

     ²³ There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; ²⁴ Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. ²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.

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