(PHILEMON 1)
Paul’s short letter to Philemon consists mainly of a plea for this godly man to
graciously receive his runaway slave Onesimus, who has become a Christian and
whom Paul is now sending back to hismaster.
I. THE APPRECIATION AND PRAISE FOR PHILEMON (1:1–7)
A. Philemon is a family man (1:1–3): His wife’s name is Apphia, and his son’s
name is Archippus.
B. Philemon is a faithful man (1:4–5): Paul gives thanks for Philemon’s faith.
C. Philemon is a fruitful man (1:6–7): He befriended and encouraged both Paul
and many other believers.
II. THE APPEAL AND PLEA FOR ONESIMUS (1:8–17)
A. Forgive him for your own sake (1:8–15).
1. “Show kindness to Onesimus” (1:8–10).
2. “Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very
useful to both of us” (1:11).
3. “I really wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for
preaching the Good News. . . . But I didn’t want to do anything without your
consent” (1:12–14).
4. “Onesimus ran away for a little while so you could have him back forever”
(1:15).
B. Forgive him for his sake (1:16): He is now your brother in Christ.
C. Forgive him for my sake (1:17): Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus as he
would receive the apostle himself.
III. THE ASSURANCE AND PLEDGE FROM PAUL (1:18–25)
A. The guarantee (1:18–19a): Paul promises to pay Philemon any debt owed by
Onesimus.
B. The gentle reminder (1:19b): Paul reminds Philemon of the great spiritual
debt Philemon himself owes the apostle.
C. The guest room (1:22): Paul asks Philemon to keep a room available for when
he is next able to visit.
D. The greetings (1:23–25): Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, Paul’s
co-laborers, send their greetings to Philemon from Rome.
Willmington, H. L. (1999). The Outline Bible (Phm 1–25). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale
House Publishers.