Bible Study on the Book of Philemon
Special Note:
Throughout the Bible Studies the Scripture that is the subject of the study and questions relating to that Scripture, will be posted one week. The following week answers and notes for the Scripture studied will be posted. Please share your thoughts and input on the questions presented.
The letter of “Philemon” written by Paul is a simple yet interesting book of the Bible. Often, overlooked perhaps, due to its size, there are nuggets of gold in this book. Through this study, we will examine the book more closely and glean some of those precious gold treasures. Presented first will be the text we are studying then the questions and notes will follow.
Study of Verses 8 – 16
In an effort not to make any one Bible Study posting too long I will limit the amount of questions addressed in each posting. Therefore a section of study i.e. verses 8-16 may be spread out over more than one week.
New King James Text of Book of Philemon:
Philemon
8Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— 10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 12I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. 15For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Notes Regarding Questions on verses 8,9:
Q-1 from v-8
As Paul is writing to Philemon his demeanor is very frank. He describes it as being bold. Paul having always been out-spoken is faithful to the bluntness he is known to exhibit. Yet, his boldness comes from assurance and confidence that he is addressing Philemon in a manner the Lord would approve of and for a purpose the Lord desires. Therefore, he speaks freely, openly, and plainly to Philemon.
Q-2 from v-8
Paul goes so far to express that he has the right to “command” Philemon to do as he suggest. Yet, let us examine in the end how Paul handles his “rights” and how he addresses the matter with Philemon. Having the “right” and taking, the “right” is two very different things.
Q-3 from v-8
Paul states that what he is going to address Philemon about or request of Philemon is only “what is fitting.” He is basically telling him that he is going to ask him to do what he should do anyway, what is right. It is the idea of doing what is proper. How many times however, do we know what the right thing to do is, yet, do not want to do it at all. It is, at times, only after a brother or sister in the Lord reminds us that it is the “right” thing to do; the thing the Lord would have us do, that we comply.
Q-4 from v-9
Instead of commanding Philemon to do something Paul would much rather “appeal” to him to do what is right and proper. If we can help a person to understand and want to do what is right it will benefit them in other situations. Whereas, if we simply demand that they do what is right it can breed resentment and they are not likely to repeat the proper behavior or actions in the future. The King James Bible uses the term “beseech” instead of appeal in this verse and the meaning is inclusive of calling someone near, inviting them, creating desire and entreating them to do something. Even suggested is the idea of prayer in the Greek definition.
Q-5 from v-9
For “love’s sake”, Paul chooses to “appeal” to instead of “command” Philemon. Love I am confident of both Philemon and Onesimus. Paul wanted Philemon to learn and grow as a Christian and he wanted Onesimus to have the opportunity Paul was trying to ensure for him. Therefore, as always, “for love’s sake” was the better path to take.
Q-6 from v-9
Time and experience taught Paul that love was the better choice when attempting to get someone to do what needs to be or you want them to do. Paul makes reference to the fact that he is “the aged” a reference to much more than chronological years.
Q-7 from v-9
Paul was very wise and mature, both, as a man and a Christian. These two types of maturity are very separate. When we listen to another person with the idea of following their direction or guidance, we need to look not only at the idea that they are simply and solely older in years, but more importantly, in character and spirituality; the latter being much more important. Paul uses the term “such as one” when referring to himself and his age. This term in the Greek Language Definition denotes character of and individuality. Paul was saying to Philemon, ‘Don’t just listen to me because I am older, listen to me because you know who I am and you know my character as a person.’ There is no substitute for godly wisdom. Time and experience are two of God’s teaching tools when He is instructing us in godly wisdom, a process, which is rarely rushed.
Q-8 from v-9
Paul is in prison at this time. Sharing the gospel often landed him there.
Q-9 from v-9
Again, time, age, and experience are good teachers and most likely, the only knowledge base we can have to answer the question of ‘if we would be willing to suffer for Christ’ and ‘how we might handle such suffering.’ We can only learn from what suffering we have gone through; examining what we did right and wrong and how we would do things differently. We must guard our hearts from pride, which would tell us we would handle it ideally. There is no way we can know that for sure. Even if we handled suffering well one time, the next time we could falter. In the end, we pray that when and if that time arrives, God grants us the grace to handle the suffering in a manner in keeping with His Will for us.
