Study From the Letter of apostle Paul to Philemon,1

                                   Study From the Letter of Paul to Philemon,1

Today we begin a new series where study the letter of the apostle Paul to Philemon. It is a short letter of one chapter or a postcard and as usual we start by introduction.

Paul writes his letter to his beloved brother and a fellow worker on behalf of Onesimus , a deserter, thief and a formerly slave, but now after his conversion in Rome, he is a Philemon’s brother in Christ.

With much tenderness, Paul asks Philemon to accept Onesimus as if he receives Paul himself.

Ordinary a runaway save, would be harshly punished or even executed, but Paul reminds Philemon that, in Christ , Onesimus is now heir to the grace  of Christ. Any debts Onesimus owes Philemon, Paul would pay him back. Obviously Paul has no money to do that, but Philemon owes Paul a lot as he knew the salvation of grace and eternal life through Paul.

Themes: we are to forgive and restore, as Christ has forgiven and restored us.

Author: the apostle Paul

Time: from prison in Rome about A.D 60-62

Structure:

Verse 1:3: Paul greets his old friend

Verse 4:7: Paul gives thanks for him and describes his prayers for him

Verse 8:21: Paul makes his plea for Onesimus

Verse 22:25: Paul closes his short letter.