AT THE FOREMAN'S signal, the giant ball is released, and with dynamite force and a reverberating crash, it meets the wall, snapping bricks like twigs and scattering pieces of mortar. Repeatedly, the powerful pendulum works, and soon the barrier has been reduced to rubble. Then it is carted away so that construction can begin.
   Life has many walls and fences that divide, separate, and compartmentalize. Not made of wood or stone, they are personal obstructions, blocking people from each other and from God. But Christ came as the great wall remover, tearing down the sin partition that separates us from God and blasting the barriers that keep us from each other. His death and resurrection opened the way to eternal life to bring all who believe into the family of God (see Ephesians 2:14-18).
   Roman, Greek, and Jewish cultures were littered with barriers, as society assigned people to classes and expected them to stay in their place - men and women, slave and free, rich and poor, Jews and Gentiles, Greeks and barbarians, pious and pagan. But with the message of Christ, the walls came down, and Paul could declare, "Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all" (Colossians 3:11).
   This life-changing truth forms the backdrop for the letter to Philemon. One of three personal letters in the Bible, the letter to Philemon is Paul's personal plea for a slave. Onesimus "belonged" to Philemon, a member of the Colossian church and Paul's friend. But Onesimus, the slave, had stolen from his master and run away. He ran to Rome where he met Paul, and there he responded to the Good News and came to faith in Christ (verse 10). So Paul writes to Philemon and reintroduces Onesimus to him, explaining that he is sending him back, not just as a slave but as a brother (verses 11, 12, 16). Tactfully he asks Philemon to accept and forgive his brother (verses 10, 14, 15, 20). The barriers of the past and the new ones erected by Onesimus's desertion and theft should divide them no longer - they are one in Christ.
   This small book is a masterpiece of grace and tact and a profound demonstration of the power of Christ and of true Christian fellowship in action. What barriers are in your home, neighborhood, and church? What separates you from fellow believers - race? status? wealth? education? personality? As with Philemon, God calls you to seek unity, breaking down those walls and embracing your brothers and sisters in Christ.

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VITAL STATISTICS
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PURPOSE:
To convince Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus, and to accept him as a brother in the faith

AUTHOR:
Paul

TO WHOM WRITTEN:
Philemon, who was probably a wealthy member of the Colossian church, and all believers

DATE WRITTEN:
About A.D. 60, during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome, at about the same time Ephesians and Colossians were written

SETTING:
Slavery was very common in the Roman empire, and evidently some Christians had slaves. Paul does not condemn the institution of slavery in his writings, but he makes a radical statement by calling this slave Philemon's brother in Christ.

KEY VERSES:
"Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good - no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord" (verses 15, 16).

KEY PEOPLE:
Paul, Philemon, Onesimus

KEY PLACES:
Colosse, Rome

SPECIAL FEATURES:
This is a private, personal letter to a friend

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THE BLUEPRINT
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1. Paul's appreciation of Philemon (1-7)
2. Paul's appeal for Onesimus (8-25)

Paul pleads on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave. Paul's intercession for him illustrates what Christ has done for us. As Paul interceded for a slave, so Christ intercedes for us, slaves to sin. As Onesimus was reconciled to Philemon, so we are reconciled to God through Christ. As Paul offered to pay the debts of a slave, so Christ paid our debt of sin. Like Onesimus, we must return to God our Master and serve him.

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MEGATHEMES
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Theme:
Forgiveness

Explanation:
Philemon was Paul's friend and the legal owner of the slave, Onesimus. Paul asked him not to punish Onesimus, but to forgive and restore him as a new Christian brother.

Importance:
Christian relationships must be full of forgiveness and acceptance. Can you forgive those who have wronged you?

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Theme:
Barriers

Explanation:
Slavery was widespread in the Roman empire, but no one is lost to God or beyond his love. Slavery was a barrier between people, but Christian love and fellowship are to overcome such barriers.

Importance:
In Christ we are one family. No walls of racial, economic, or political differences should separate us. Let Christ work through you to remove barriers between Christian brothers and sisters.

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Theme:
Respect

Explanation:
Paul was a friend of both Philemon and Onesimus. He had the authority as an apostle to tell Philemon what to do. Yet Paul chose to appeal to his friend in Christian love rather than to order him what to do.

Importance:
Tactful persuasion accomplishes a great deal more than commands when dealing with people. Remember to exhibit courtesy and respect in your relationships.

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1. Paul's appreciation of Philemon

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1. Who is Paul a prisoner of, who is Paul's and the others brother, who are they writing to, and whose grace and peace do they send to them?

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   Paul wrote this letter from Rome in about A.D. 60, when he was under house arrest (see Acts 28:30, 31). Onesimus was a domestic slave who belonged to Philemon, a wealthy man and a member of the church in Colosse. Onesimus had run away from Philemon and had made his way to Rome where he met Paul, who apparently led him to Christ (verse 10). Paul convinced Onesimus that running from his problems wouldn't solve them, and he persuaded Onesimus to return to his master. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon to ask him to be reconciled to his runaway slave.
   Timothy's name is included with Paul's in 2nd Corinthians, 1st Thessalonians, 2nd Thessalonians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon - the last three of these letters are from a group known as the "Prison Letters." Timothy was one of Paul's trusted companions; Paul wrote two letters to him - 1st and 2nd Timothy.
   Philemon was a Greek landowner living in Colosse. He had been converted under Paul's ministry, and the Colossian church met in his home. Onesimus was one of Philemon's slaves.
   Apphia may have been Philemon's wife. Archippus may have been Philemon's son, or perhaps an elder in the Colossian church. In either case, Paul included him as a recipient of the letter, possibly so Archippus could read the letter with Philemon and encourage him to take Paul's advice.
   The early churches often would meet in people's homes. Because of sporadic persecutions and the great expense involved, church buildings were typically not constructed at this time.

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Paul's Profile
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   No person, apart from Jesus himself, shaped the history of Christianity like the apostle Paul. Even before he was a believer, his actions were significant. His frenzied persecution of Christians following Stephen's death got the church started in obeying Christ's final command to take the gospel worldwide. Paul's personal encounter with Jesus changed his life. He never lost his fierce intensity, but from then on it was channeled for the gospel.
   Paul was very religious. His training under Gamaliel was the finest available. His intentions and efforts were sincere. He was a good Pharisee, who knew the Bible and sincerely believed that this Christian movement was dangerous to Judaism. Thus Paul hated the Christian faith and persecuted Christians without mercy.
   Paul got permission to travel to Damascus to capture Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem. But God stopped him in his hurried tracks on the Damascus road. Paul personally met Jesus Christ, and his life was never again the same.
   Until Paul's conversion, little had been done about carrying the gospel to non-Jews. Philip had preached in Samaria and to an Ethiopian man; Cornelius, a Gentile, was converted under Peter, and in Antioch in Syria, some Greeks had joined the believers. When Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to check on this situation, he went to Tarsus to find Paul and bring him to Antioch, and together they worked among the believers there. They were then sent on a missionary journey, the first of three Paul would take, that would carry the gospel across the Roman empire.
   The thorny issue of whether Gentiles believers had to obey Jewish laws before they could become Christians caused many problems in the early church. Paul worked hard to convince the Jews that Gentiles were acceptable to God, but he spent even more time convincing the Gentiles that they were acceptable to God. The lives Paul touched were changed and challenged by meeting Christ through him.
   God did not waste any part of Paul - his background, his training, his citizenship, his mind, or even his weaknesses. Are you willing to let God do the same for you? You will never know all he can do with you until you allow him to have all that you are!

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Paul's Strengths and Accomplishments
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1. Transformed by God from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher for Christ
2. Preached for Christ throughout the Roman empire on three missionary journeys
3. Wrote letters to various churches, which became part of the New Testament
4. Was never afraid to face an issue head-on and deal with it
5. Was sensitive to God's leading and, despite his strong personality, always did as God directed
6. Is often called the apostle to the Gentiles

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Paul's Weaknesses and Mistakes
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1. Witnessed and approved of Stephen's stoning
2. Set out to destroy Christianity by persecuting Christians

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Lessons From Paul's Life
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1. The Good News is that forgiveness and eternal life are a gift of God's grace received through faith in Christ and available to all people
2. Obedience results from a relationship with God, but obedience will never create or earn that relationship
3. Real freedom doesn't come until we no longer have to prove our freedom
4. God does not waste our time - he will use our past and present so we may serve him with our future

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Paul's Vital Statistics
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1. Where: Born in Tarsus, but became a world traveler for Christ
2. Occupation: Trained as a Pharisee, learned the tentmaking trade, served as a missionary
3. Contemporaries: Gamaliel, Stephen, the apostles, Luke, Barnabas, Timothy

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Key Verses
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"For to me, to live is Christ and to die gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body" (Philippians 1:21-24).

Paul's story is told in Acts 7:58-28:31 and through his New Testament letters.

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Timothy's Profile
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   Painful lessons are usually doorways to new opportunities. Even the apostle Paul had much to learn. Shortly after his disappointing experience with John Mark, Paul recruited another eager young man, Timothy, to be his assistant. Paul's intense personality may have been to much for John Mark to handle. It could easily have created the same problem for Timothy. But Paul seems to have learned a lesson in patience from his old friend Barnabas. As a result, Timothy became a "son" to Paul.
   Timothy probably became a Christian after Paul's first missionary visit to Lystra (Acts 16:1-5). Timothy already had solid Jewish training in the Scriptures from his mother and grandmother. By Paul's second visit, Timothy had grown into a respected disciple of Jesus. He did not hesitate to join Paul and Silas on their journey. His willingness to be circumcised as an adult is clearly a mark of his commitment. (Timothy's mixed Greek/Jewish background could have created problems on their missionary journeys, because many of their audience would be made up of Jews who were concerned about the strict keeping of this tradition. Timothy's submission to the rite of circumcision helped to avoid that potential problem.)
   Beyond the tensions created by his mixed racial background, Timothy seemed to struggle with a naturally timid character and a sensitivity to his youthfulness. Unfortunately, many who share Timothy's character traits are quickly written off as too great a risk to deserve much responsibility. By God's grace, Paul saw great potential in Timothy. Paul demonstrated his confidence in Timothy by entrusting him with important responsibilities. Paul sent Timothy as his personal representative to Corinth during a particularly tense time (1st Corinthians 4:14-17). Although Timothy was apparently ineffective in that difficult mission, Paul did not give up on him. Timothy continued to travel with Paul.
   Our last pictures of Timothy come from the most personal letters in the New Testament: 1st and 2nd Timothy. The aging apostle Paul was near the end of his life, but his burning desire to continue his mission had not dimmed. Paul was writing to one of his closest friends - they had traveled, suffered, cried, and laughed together. They shared the intense joy of seeing people respond to the Good News and the agonies of seeing the gospel rejected and distorted. Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to oversee the young church there (1st Timothy 1:3,4). He wrote to encourage Timothy and give him needed direction. These letters have provided comfort and help to countless other "Timothys" through the years. When you face a challenge that seems beyond your abilities, read 1st and 2nd Timothy, and remember that others have shared your experience.

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Timothy's Strengths and Accomplishments
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1. Became a believer after Paul's first missionary journey and joined him for his other two journeys
2. Was a respected Christian in his hometown
3. Was Paul's special representative on several occasions
4. Received two personal letters from Paul
5. Probably knew Paul better than any other person, becoming like a son to Paul

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Timothy's Weaknesses and Mistakes
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1. Struggled with a timid and reserved nature
2. Allowed others to look down on his youthfulness
3. Was apparently unable to correct some of the problems in the church at Corinth when Paul sent him there

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Lessons From Timothy's Life
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1. Youthfulness should not be an excuse for ineffectiveness
2. Our inadequacies and inabilities should not keep us from being available to God

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Timothy's Vital Statistics
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1. Where: Lystra
2. Occupations: Missionary, pastor
3. Relatives: Mother Eunice.
                   Grandmother: Lois.
                   Greek father
4. Contemporaries: Paul, Silas, Luke, Mark, Peter, Barnabas

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Key Verses
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"I have no one else like him [Timothy], who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel" (Philippians 2:20-22).

Timothy's story is told in Acts, starting in chapter 16. He is also mentioned in Romans 16:21; 1st Corinthians 4:17; 1st Corinthians 16:10,11; 2nd Corinthians 1:1, 19; Philippians 1:1; Philippians 2:19-23; Colossians 1:1; 1st Thessalonians 1:1-10; 1st Thessalonians 2:3, 4; 1st Thessalonians 3:2-6; 1st and 2nd Timothy, Philemon 1; Hebrews 13:23.

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Thanksgiving and Prayer
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2. Whom did Paul say he always thanked as he remembers Philemon in his prayers, why did Paul say he did this, why did Paul say he prayed that Philemon may be active in sharing his faith, and why did Paul say Philemon's love had given him great joy and encouragement?

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   Paul reflected on Philemon's faith and love. Philemon had opened his heart and his home to the church. We should do likewise, opening ourselves and our homes to others, offering Christian fellowship to refresh people's hearts.

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2. Paul's appeal for Onesimus

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3. Although, in Christ Paul could be bold and order Philemon to do what he ought to do, how did Paul appeal to him, whom did Paul appeal to Philemon for, and when did he become Paul's son?

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   Because Paul was an elder and an apostle, he could have used his authority with Philemon, commanding him to deal kindly with his runaway slave. But Paul based his request not on his own authority, but on Philemon's Christian commitment. Paul wanted Philemon's heartfelt, not grudging, obedience. When you know something is right and you have the power to demand it, do you appeal to your authority or to the other person's commitment? Here Paul provides a good example of how to deal with a possible conflict between Christian friends.
   A master had the legal right to kill a runaway slave, so Onesimus feared for his life. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon to help him understand his new relationship with Onesimus. Onesimus was now a Christian brother, not a mere possession. "Who became my son" means that Onesimus had become a Christian.
   From his prison cell, Paul had led Onesimus to the Lord. Paul asked Philemon to forgive his runaway slave who had become a Christian, and even going beyond forgiveness, to accept Onesimus as a brother. As Christians, we should forgive as we have been forgiven (Matthew 6:12; Ephesians 4:31, 32). True forgiveness means that we treat the one we've forgiven as we would want to be treated. Is there someone you say you have forgiven, but who still needs your kindness?

4. What did Paul say Onesimus had formerly been to Philemon, what did Paul say Onesimus was now, what did Paul say he was doing, why did Paul say he would have liked to keep Onesimus with him, what did Paul say he didn't want to do, what did Paul say the reason Onesimus was separated from Philemon for a little while, and what did Paul say Onesimus was?

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   Onesimus means "useful." Paul used a play on words, saying that Onesimus had not been much use to Philemon in the past, but had become very useful to both Philemon and Paul. Although Paul wanted to keep Onesimus with him, he was sending Onesimus back, requesting that Philemon accept him not only as a forgiven runaway servant, but also as a brother in Christ.
   Slavery was widespread throughout the Roman empire. In these early days, Christians did not have the political power to change the slavery system. Paul didn't condemn or condone slavery, but he worked to transform relationships. The gospel begins to change social structures by changing the people within those structures. (See also 1st Corinthians 7:20-24; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-4:1 for more on master/slave relationships.)
   What a difference Onesimus's status as a Christian made in his relationship to Philemon. He was no longer merely a slave, but he was also a brother. That meant that both Onesimus and Philemon were members of God's family - equals in Christ. A Christian's status as a member of God's family transcends all other distinctions among believers. Do you look down on any fellow Christians? Remember, they are your equals before Christ (Galatians 3:28). How you treat your brothers and sisters in Christ's family reflects your true Christian commitment.

5. How did Paul ask Philemon to welcome Onesimus, what did Paul tell Philemon do if Onesimus had done any wrong or owes him anything, how did Paul say he was writing so Philemon would know he would pay it back, what did Paul say Philemon owed him, what did Paul say he wished, and confident of Philemon's obedience, how did Paul say he was writing to him?

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   Paul genuinely loved Onesimus. Paul showed his love by personally guaranteeing payment for any stolen goods or wrongs for which Onesimus might be responsible. Paul's investment in the life of this new believer certainly encouraged and strengthened Onesimus's faith. Are there young believers who need you to demonstrate such self-sacrifice toward them? Be grateful when you can invest in the lives of others, helping them with Bible study, prayer, encouragement, support, and friendship.
   Philemon owed himself to Paul, meaning that Paul had led Philemon to Christ. Because Paul was Philemon's spiritual father, he was hoping that Philemon would feel a debt of gratitude that he would repay by accepting Onesimus with a spirit of forgiveness.

6. Why did Paul tell Philemon to prepare a guest room, who sent his greeting to Philemon, who else sent their greetings, and what did Paul want to be with Philemon's spirit?

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   Paul was released from prison soon after writing this letter, but the Bible doesn't say whether or not he returned to Colosse.
   Epaphras was well known to the Colossians because he had founded the church there (Colossians 1:7). He was a hero to this church, helping to hold it together in spite of growing persecution and struggles with false doctrine. His report to Paul about the problems in Colosse had prompted Paul to write his letter to the Colossians. Epaphras's greetings to and prayers for the Colossian Christians reveal his deep love for them (Colossians 4:12, 13). He may have been in prison with Paul for preaching the gospel.
   Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke are also mentioned in Colossians 4:10, 14. Mark had accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 12:25ff). Mark also wrote the Gospel of Mark. Luke had accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey and was the writer of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Demas had been faithful to Paul for a while but then deserted him (see 2nd Timothy 4:10).
   Paul urged Philemon to be reconciled to his slave, receiving him as a brother and fellow member of God's family. Reconciliation means reestablishing relationship. Christ has reconciled us to God and to others. Many barriers come between people - race, social status, sex, personality differences - but Christ can break down these barriers. Jesus Christ changed Onesimus's relationship to Philemon from slave to brother. Christ can transform our most hopeless relationships into deep and loving friendships.

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Answers to Philemon
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1. Christ Jesus...Timothy...Philemon their friend and fellow worker, to Apphia their sister, to Archippus their fellow soldier and to the church that meets in their home...from God their Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
2. His God...because he heard about his faith in the Lord Jesus and his love for all the saints...so that he will have a full understanding of every good thing they have in Christ...because he had refreshed the hearts of the saints
3. On the basis of love...for his son Onesimus...while he was in chains
4. Useless to him...useful both to Philemon and Paul...sending Onesimus back to Philemon...so that he could take Philemon's place in helping Paul while he was in chains for the gospel...anything without Philemon's consent, so that any favor Philemon does will be spontaneous and not forced...that Philemon might have Onesimus back for good - no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother...very dear to him but even dearer to Philemon, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord
5. As he would welcome him...charge it to Paul...with his own hand...his very self...that he may have some benefit from Philemon in the Lord; refresh his heart in Christ...knowing that Philemon will do even more than Paul asks
6. Because he hoped to be restored to Philemon in answer to his prayers...Epaphras, Paul's fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus...Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, Paul's fellow workers...the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ