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 12-16:
Q-1 from v-12,13
Paul was sending Onesimus back to his master, Philemon, because Paul knew it was the right thing to do. It was important for Onesimus to go back, face what he had done, and deal with the past. In a sense, Onesimus had to go back before he could go forward. Sometime we must do the same.
Q-2 from v-12,13
It was Paul’s desire to keep Onesimus with him and have Onesimus serve with Paul, helping Paul, during his time of persecution. Paul surely needed the help and needed the company during a difficult period in his life. Paul was willing to say he wanted this man with him. We too, need to be able to express our need for help and company during the darker periods of our life.
Q-3 from v-12,13
Paul states that Onesimus ‘is his own heart.’ He cared as much for this man as he did himself. The closeness he had with his Christian Brother was important to him and he was not afraid of expressing how he felt; again, likewise, for us.
Q-4 from v-12,13
Paul asked Philemon to “receive” Onesimus. Paul wanted to insure that Onesimus would be taken back in by Philemon. He did not want the man turned away or rejected.
Q-5 from v-14
Paul was not going to keep Onesimus with him with the consent of Philemon. Paul knew despite what his heart wanted and perhaps despite what Onesimus wanted he had to exhort Onesimus to do what was right. How many times do we follow our heart instead of doing what we know to be right? There are times in life when we must let our hearts break on the altar of God’s standards and principals. If we do so, God will mend our hearts and give us so much more than we could have gotten for ourselves.
Q-6 from v-14
It was Paul’s desire that if Onesimus were to be with him that Philemon would voluntarily send the man back to be with him. Paul had no interest in pressuring, manipulating, or attempting to bribe Philemon into giving him what he wanted. Employing such tactics can often get us what we want, but it cannot get us the feeling of knowing we have what we have because someone wanted us to have it.
Q-7 from 15,16
The belief of Paul was that Philemon should receive Onesimus with forgiveness, in the bonds of a lifetime relationship, and as a beloved Christian brother not just a slave. Paul wanted love to be birthed between the two men, not just mere obligation. Christian Agape Love could transform their relationship, just as it can transform any relationship. Christian Agape Love is a choice it is not a feeling. We chose this love; we chose whom we will love, when we will love, how we will love, and why we will love. God wants us to choose to love, with Christian Agape Love, every time.
Q-8 from 15,16
Paul wanted Onesimus recognized by Philemon as both “a beloved brother” and “more than a slave.” Paul wanted Philemon to see the need for equality born out of Christian love. May God grant us the ability to see all people as our equal through the eyes of agape love.
Final Note:
When we view people, how do we view them? When we look at our parent’s, do we see a father and/or mother only or do we see an individual person with hopes, dreams, disappointment, and regrets. The same when we look at our children; are they only our children or are they also people filled with wonder about life, confusion, fears, accomplishments, and interest beyond our grasp. When we look in our spouses eyes each morning do we see a man or woman who also has unfulfilled desires, has compromised, has dreams, regrets, fears, and secret longing. We cannot view people only through their relationship to us - - we must view them as individuals, as well.
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