Video
Bible
Study
Lessons
presented by
David E. Pratte
[Link]
The Epistle
to Philemon
Thanks to Christians in the
Hillcrest church for their
participation.
© Copyright David E. Pratte,
2020
Scripture quotations are generally from the New King James Version (NKJV),
copyright 1982, 1988 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. used by permission. All rights
reserved.
Bible Study
Questions on
the Books of
1&2 Timothy,
Titus, &
Philemon
Available at
[Link]/classbooks
Theme and Major Divisions of
Philemon
Theme: The return of Philemon’s slave
Onesimus.
Major divisions
1:1-3 – Greeting
1:4-7 - Paul’s prayer on behalf of Philemon
1:8-21 - Paul’s plea on behalf of Onesimus
1:22-25 – Concluding thoughts
The Facts Regarding Onesimus
1) Onesimus had been a servant to Philemon (verse
16).
2) He had departed from Philemon (verse 15).
3) Paul had converted him (verse 10).
4) He had been unprofitable but became profitable
(verse 11).
5) Paul was now sending him back (verse 12).
6) Paul preferred to keep Onesimus with him, but
did not think it would be right to do so without
Philemon’s permission (verses 13,14).
Paul’s Appeal Regarding Onesimus
Onesimus was now a brother in the Lord (verse 16)
Philemon should treat Onesimus as he would Paul
(verse 17)
Paul would repay any debt Onesimus might owe (verse
18,19)
He expressed confidence in Philemon’s response
(verse 20,21)
How People Became Slaves
Improper enslavement of free and innocent
people.
Free innocent people forcibly enslaved - Genesis 37;
Exodus 1:10-14; men-stealing (1 Timothy 1:4-11).
People enslaved as inferior because of race. Acts
10:15,28,34f; James 2:1-13; 3:9; Romans 2:4-11; 1
Timothy 5:21
Families separated in slave trading.
But people sometimes became slaves by
legitimate means.
Some chose to become or remain slaves - Leviticus
25:39-47; Genesis 47:18-25; Exodus 21:5;
Deuteronomy 15:16,17
Treatment of Slaves
Slaves are often abused or mistreated.
Exodus 1:10-14 - Egyptians / Israel; Slaves in Rome
Some American slave women were treated like slave
factories.
But God commanded masters to treat slaves well.
Israelites remember Egypt (Lev. 25:42,43; Deut. 15:13-15;
16:12)
Slaves provided opportunities for rest, enjoyment, and
worship (Deuteronomy 16:11,14; 5:14; Exodus 12:44;
20:10)
Cruel master punished / slave freed – Exodus 21:26,27,9-
11,20.
Exodus 21:2 – Hebrew slaves released in the seventh year.
Spiritual Relations between Slaves and
Freemen
Mark 16:15,16 – The gospel should be preached to all (Luke
24:47; 1 Timothy 2:4,6; Acts 10:34,35; 11:18; Revelation
5:9,10)
1 Corinthians 12:13 – By one Spirit we were all baptized
into one body whether slave or free.
Galatians 3:28 – All one in Christ Jesus. There is neither Jew
nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man… in Christ
Jesus.
Colossians 3:11 – Neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor
uncircumcised, … slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
All people are saved on the same basis and serve in the
church without regard to free or slave. In theory a slave
could serve as an elder over his master in the church.
Abusive Slavery vs. Benevolent Slavery
The gospel describes Christians as slaves to Jesus as
our Master
Romans 6:6,16-23; Galatians 4:8,9; 5:1; 1 Corinthians 7:22.
Why, if the master-slave relationship is inherently evil?
Every aspect of slavery can be conducted properly
Slaves can be obtained in a legitimate and benevolent
manner.
Masters can treat slaves in a kind and benevolent manner.
Masters and slaves can be Christians and treat one another
right.
Would God tell slave owners how to act if slavery is
sinful?
Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1; and Philemon
Passages about Restitution
Acts 26:20 – Do works worthy of repentance (Luke 3:8-14;
Matthew 3:8).
Ezekiel 33:14,15 – Return what is stolen. (Exodus 22:1-15;
Leviticus 6:1-5; Numbers 5:5-8; 2 Samuel 12:6)
Matthew 21:28-31 – Do what he should have done at
first.
Luke 19:8 – Zacchaeus returned taxes charged
wrongfully.
Acts 19:18,19 – People burned their books of magic.
Ezra 10:3,11,17,19,44 – Men who married foreign
women were required to repent and put away the
wives.
Matthew 14:3,4 – Herod forbidden to have his brother’s
Obligations We Have before
Conversion
(1) Does conversion dissolve a man’s first marriage?
(2) Does conversion dissolve a man’s financial debt?
(3) Does conversion free a man from slavery?
(4) Does conversion relieve a man of obligations to his
relatives (parents, children, etc.)?
(5) Does conversion dissolve obligations as a citizen?
(6) Why would conversion release a man from
obligations of marriage from which he unscripturally
divorced and remarried?
Conversion does not relieve us from our previous
legitimate relationships and obligations but leads
one to fulfill legitimate obligations and cease
sinful relationships.
Solving Conflict between Christians
1) The two alienated parties should meet to resolve the
issue. Matthew 18:15-17; 5:23,24
2) Other people may serve as mediators to offer
guidance but the alienated parties must resolve the
problem. Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
3) The one who committed sin must repent, ask
forgiveness from God, and ask forgiveness from the
one against whom he sinned. Luke 17:3,4; Matthew
18:21-35
4) The one against whom the sin was committed must
be willing to forgive. Luke 17:3,4
© Copyright David E. Pratte, 2020
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Scripture quotations are generally from the New King James Version (NKJV), copyright 1982, 1988 by Thomas
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