Bible Discussion Thread

INTRODUCTION TO PHILEMON (Part 3):

VI. SECTION OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF PHILEMON:

PHILEMON CHAPTER 1: THE PORTRAYAL OF THE GOSPEL

VERSES 1-3: The Introduction

VERSES 4-7: Paul gives the Description of Philemon.

This is not to describe him so that people recognize him. But Paul knew how to address people and how to get people to be receptive to the things that he would like them to do.

What happened was, here in Colossae, a man named Philemon had a slave by the name of Onesimus. Well, Onesimus decides that he's going to steal his master's valuables and run away. And he wants to get as far away as possible because if he's caught, he could be killed. That's one of the punishments.

So, he decides that he's going to take all the valuables and pay for his way to Rome because if you get to Rome, nobody's going to find you, and nobody's going to come all that way just to find you as a runaway slave!

Somehow, as Paul is in prison, Onesimus can't keep his hand "out of the till" there in Rome either, so he winds up in jail. And he runs into another prisoner by the name of Paul. And so, he hears Paul preaching and teaching the gospel. And Paul is ministering to him, so Onesimus receives Christ and is saved.

And Onesimus tells Paul what he did. He stole from his master and ran away, and that's why he's in Rome. So, Paul inquires as to where he's from and he says Colossae. So, Paul says I've been to Colossae, and I know some people from Colossae. What's the man's name? He says Philemon. And Paul says I know Philemon. He has the church in his home in Colossae.