In the course of his letter Paul
used the most touching arguments:
1. An appeal to his love for the
saints (V.5)
2. An appeal to his own condition
aged-in prison (V.8,9)
3. From the particular relation of
Onesimus to Paul his own son in faith (V.10)
4. From the transformation
accomplished in Onesimus -he was now "profitable" (V.11)
5. The strong affection Paul had
for Onesimus. (V.12)
6. From his unwillingness to act
without the approval of Philemon (V.13,14)
7. From the special relation
Onesimus now has to Philemon-a brother-beloved (V.15,16)
8. From the intimate bonds that
existed between Paul and Philemon (V.17)
9. From the assurance given by Paul
that he would personally make good any loss which Philemon had incurred (V.18)
10.The Joy and refreshment that
would be Paul's if Philemon granted his request (V.20)
AN ANALOGY OF OUR SALVATION
1. Original Position : God created
man perfect and thus man was the property. But in sinning he not only departed
from God, as Onesimus had done, but also robbed Him.
2. Sad Plight : As Onesimus fled to
Rome so with man. As Roman Law gave a slave no right to asylum, so the Law of
God affords man, no right of asylum, no resting place, no way of escape. The Law
says " The soul that sinneth it shall die"
3. God has a Partner (V.17): In
Jesus, God has a Partner. Knowing fully how much we wronged God, how much we owe
Him, Jesus says " Put that on mine account"
4. Grace Intervenes : Roman law
Permitted a slave to flee to his master's friend, who could plead for him.
Onesimus went to Paul, his master's friend, and he was born again(V.10). Sinners
fly to the Lord Jesus In Him, through Him, they receive pardon and begotten a
new as sons. Jesus is both a Savior and Intercessor. The sinner returns to God,
not as a runaway slave, but as CHRIST HIMSELF (V.16) (There are 11 references to
the Lord Jesus by name in this short Epistle - (V.1,3,5,6,8,9,16,20,23,25) (Onenimus
- "Profitable")
Paul's Prayer : Philemon V.4-6
1. Object : " My God" - The first
lesson in Prayer the relationship - Psa. 86:12, 67:6
2. Its heartiness : "Making mention
of thee always in my prayers"-Paul was no Casual Supplicant.
3. Its Occasion : " I thank my
God..........hearing of thy love and faith"
Thanks to God for the Graces. For
God is the Author of them. Thanksgiving should be offered to God not only for
ourselves but for our fellow-christians also. This was always Paul's custom (Rom
1:8; Eph 1:15,16, Col 1:3,4)
V.5--> Where one grace
exists, the other is found.
4. Petition: V.6 - Request
was here made that Philemon might be divinely enabled to give still further
proof of his faith and love, by bringing forth more abundant fruit, in
ministering to the need of others.