Philemon 4-5

Philemon 6

Philemon 7

Philemon 15-16

Philemon 18-19

I. Author - Paul vs.1

    A. an apostle

        1. Rom. 1:1

    B. former persecuter

        1. Gal. 1:13,14

    C. Roman citizen

        1. Acts 22:27,28

    D. from Tarsus

        1. Acts 21:39

    E. sent to Gentiles

        1. Rom. 11:13

        2. Rom. 15:18

II. Book

    A. one of four written from prison AD 56/7 to 60/1

        1. Phile. 1,9,10

        2. Caesarea or Rome?

            a. probably Rome - Phil. 1:13; 4:22

    B. to Philemon

        1. businessman from Colosse

            a. Onesimus

                1) Phile. 10

                2) Col. 4:9

            b. Epaphras

                1) Phile. 23

                2) Col. 4:12

    C. purpose - message of forgiveness

        1. for Philemon and Onesimus

        2. for us

III. Message

    A. Why?

        1. "Christian" thing to do - vss. 4-7

            a. love, faith, knowledge - vss 5,6

    2. "proper" thing to do - vs. 8

            a. Paul will pay/owe Paul - vss. 18,19

    B. How?

        1. free will - vs. 14

        2. do more than requested - vs. 21

    C. Result?

        1. joy & comfort - vs. 7

        2. refreshed - vs. 20

        3. for God's good

            a. useful - vss. 11-13

    4. real brotherhood - vs. 14-17