The Letter to Philemon: An Overview
There’s some deeper conversations that can be had off the back of this book. For this overview it is important to note that while slavery in the roman empire did mean owning another person, which is unacceptable, but it was also very different to the chattel slavery which we’re more familiar with. I found this article helpful.
What’s the story of the letter to Philemon? Paul is writing this letter to Philemon asking him to take back Onesimus, who was once Phil’s slave who ran away. You can read the letter here: Philemon
Here’s the story (here it as a pdf you can download):
The slave (orange) runs away from their rightful owner (red).
This brings shame on the owner and is a loss for him. The slave is deserving of a punishment for their actions.
The relationship is restored and the slave is accepted as family of their rightful owner. Their new relationship is based on love.
The slave is rescued by someone very close to the rightful owner. The slave and the rescuer (green) have great love for each other.
Anything that is owed by the slave to the owner is paid by their rescuer on their behalf, because the slave cannot py it themselves.
The whole of the debt is paid.
The slave can now return to their rightful owner knowing they are deeply loved by the rescuer.
There are still promblens that nee to be solved.
The slave is given more than they expected or asked for.
Whose story is this? Using the same picures tell the story with different people in the role of the slave: Onesimus, Philemon, Paul and Us.
Discussion Questions:
Why is Paul willing to rescue Onesimus and pay his debt?
Are you willing to enact some part of the gospel in your life?
Do we see Paul doing this in this letter? And how?
What opportunities do you have to do this?
• Acting as family to other Christians
• Forgiving those who have wronged you
• Paying for someone else's debt
• Doing more than was asked of you
• Telling people about Jesus.
“Thank the Lord that he calls us to be part of this story and that he gave up his life so that our debts would be paid.
Ask for wisdom to be able to see where you can enact the gospel and for the courage to do it.”