Philemon 1:1 [See topic notes on "Walking Thru The Bible" for an introduction and outline on Philemon.] Date: Roman imprisonment AD 60-62 An example of Paul's personal correspondence. Brevity - tact - diplomacy - sensitivity - & human (v.11, v.20) Paul, Christians and slavery, see p. 11-12 Living Word Commentary. a) Increasingly intolerable b) Increasingly strained, psychologicall, socially, & theologically. c) One of earliest expressions of Christian benevolence was the use of funds to purchase freedom of slaves. 1Clement 55:2; Hermas, Mandates 8:10; Ignatius, To Polycarp 4. See the Bible Textbook Series by Don DeWelt. - - - - - Four Things We Need to be What Paul Was1) Prisoner - v.1 2) Prayer - v.4 3) Partner - 4) Payers - v. 19 - - - - - - Philemon Outline1 - 3 Paul to Philemon - Greeting 4 - 7 Praise of Philemon 8 -17 Plea to Philemon 18-21 Pledge to Philemon 22-25 Personal matters - - - - - - - Lesson Summary1. Honorableness - Romans 12:17, 2 Corinthians 8:202. Restitution 3. Providence -- Esther 4:144. Slavery 5. Philemon as a wonderful example a. Christian stewardship b. Concerned for Christ & the gospel c. Brotherly love and Faith 6. An Advocate - 1 John 2:1-27. Reconciliation -- Repentance - forgiveness - Acts 17:308. Account Paid - Philemon 1:15, Philemon 1:19 (Ours paid by the Lord) - - - - - - - Paul a prisoner .. cf. vs 1, 9, 10, 13, 22, 23 1. He had converted Onesimus - v.10 2. Philemon, also a friend and convert - v.10 3. Onesimus - met Paul by chance, or intentionally sought him out. a. "Runaway" or had he abandoned some special mission for his master b. Sent back acompanied by Tychicus (Colossians 4:7-9) 4. Purpose: - - - - - - - Paul a prisoner .. probably real and symbolic. (Why absence of "apostle" title?) Philemon .. Known only in this letter. Fellowlabourer .. with Paul at some earlier time - or in the Colossian church now.