Philemon - A Free Course

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Day 1 - Part 1

Dear friend,

We love the Word of God, though it causes us at times to tremble, and we know that the purposeful and methodical study of it, along with careful application in our lives, produces growth into Christ-likeness. This is our goal when we study God's Word: growth and change into the image of Jesus Christ. In this study of Philemon, it is our desire to "exalt the Name and Word of God above all things" just as God does (Psalm 138:2).

Philemon is a very small book that packs a very big punch, and there is a beautiful picture of the gospel of Jesus Christ right in the heart of this little book. Let's examine an introduction, and then dig right into the verses themselves. This introduction comes from the English Standard Version of the Bible:

Philemon is about reconciliation and relationships between Christians. Onesimus (which means "useful") was a slave of a believer named Philemon in Colosse. Apparently Onesimus had stolen from Philemon and fled the city. At some point while Paul was under arrest in Rome, Onesimus met him and became a Christian. Paul wrote this letter about a.d. 60 and gave it to Onesimus to carry back to Philemon. Paul appealed to Philemon to accept Onesimus back into his household, but as a brother in the Lord rather than a slave. In Paul's estimation, Onesimus was far more "useful" (v. 11) now that he was a Christian. Paul even promised to pay whatever debt Onesimus might owe to Philemon.

Now, let us notice the first few verses of the Book of Philemon:

Paul begins this letter not claiming the title "Apostle of Jesus Christ" or "Ambassador of Jesus ...

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