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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
October, 1936
Paul spoke of Philemon’s personal need (vs. 6, 7), that his faith needed to “become effectual by the acknowledging o f every good thing.” This led to the request about to be made concerning Onesimus, and Philemon’s action, which would bring joy and consolation to Paul, would reveal the depth of Philemon’s life in Christ, and be further proof of Philemon’s faith. II. P a u l ’ s P lea (8-18) Paul pleaded most delicately (vs. 8, 9), beseeching Philemon to accede to the request made because of his love for Christ, rather than because o f a sense of duty springing from legalism. Paul added special force to the appeal by referring to himself as “a prisoner of Jesus Christ.” Paul then boldly made the request (v. 10, 11). The Roman law permitted a slave to approach one of his master’s friends and ask for intercession on his behalf—so Paul, as a friend of Philemon’s took this .place. Dr. Scofield says that the human recom mendation might have been expressed, “He is no good, but I think he may be con verted. Take him back and try him any way.” But to Paul, Onesimus (whose name meant “profitable” ) was a son be gotten in bonds—and loved. Paul asked that Onesimus be received by Philemon (vs. 12-14), desiring that this new convert begin to live the new life in Christ where he had formerly lived and been known as a slave. Christianity does not interfere with existing institutions, but the truth makes freejtemd institutions which are contrary to the spirit of Chris tianity must give way before that truth. Christians are not called to civilize, but to evangelize; and with the evangelization, proper civilization will assuredly follow. Paul could well have retained Onesimus" for his personal ministry, but righteousness dictated that nothing should be done with out the consent of: Philemon. While in serving Paul, Onesimus would be serving Christ, yet in returning to Philemon, Onesimus would be proving that the ;new life in Christ was righteous and ethical. Paul further asked for the full restora tion of Onesimus (vs. 15, 16). He had no intention or desire of upsetting the bal ance between master and servanl^-Jesus Christ was not a reformer but a trans former. He did not come to bring mere axioms to the world but to bring new SCOF IELD REFERENCE B IBLES I With Notes and Helps 11 All Styles and Prices Jj Save money with our Bible Catalog J. W . McCARRELL 1142 W isconsin A ve. Oak Park, 111. J U S T O U T ! “ G L I M P S E S OF P A U L ” You will be gripped by the vivid word pictures of this new fascinating little book. It presents the high-lights of Paul’s marvelous life. Damascus, Arabia, The Temple, Tarsus, Antioch, Athens, Corinth, A Thorn in the Flesh, Felix, Shipwreck, ‘ T have kept the Faith” — all these and other glimpses will thrill you. Everyone, especially pastors and Sunday school members, will delight in this novel presentation of an ever interesting life. Price, postpaid, only 25c— A lso ask for our special Christmas book offer. (Etfriatiatt §rrm re Prrsa Dept. K, Box 174, Moline, III.
BLACKBOARD LESSON
begins the Epistle and works to the climax of his request on behalf of the converted slave. Notice the tributes which are paid to Philemon, yet stopping short of the vice of flattery. Notice the pleas based on the apostle’s age and circumstances, pathetic yet dignified. Note the tremendous request, astounding as it must have been to a Roman slave-owner, not merely for the f orgiveness of the slave, but vastly beyond forgiveness, that he should be received no longer as a slave, but a “brother beloved.” 3. The most masterly stroke of all was the sending o f the letter to Philemon by the hand o f Onesimus. Any one who is at all familiar with the absolute power o f the master over his slave under the Roman laws can imagine the surge of anger that would come over the face of the master as he faced once more the run away slave. And then what a study in expression his face must have been as he read the little letter from his spiritual father, Paul. But we have confidence that grace won the victory, that Onesimus was forgiven, and restored as “a brother be loved.’’' ' 4. I cannot close these remarks without calling attention to the last deft touch in his appeal to Philemon. "But withal pre pare, me also a lodging,” he writes in verse 22. How could Philemon have ever faced his friend in Christ if he had denied his earnest plea for Onesimus ? j Golden Text Illustration In the early days of Christianity, when it triumphed over the old heathenism of the Roman world, it founded a new society bound together by this holy mutual love. The catacombs of Rome bear remarkable testimony to this gracious brotherhood. There were laid the bodies of members of the highest Roman aristocracy, some even of the family of the Caesars, side by side with the remains o f obscure slaves" and_ laborers. And in the case of the earliest graves the inscriptions were with out a single allusion to the position in society of him who was buried.there: they did not trouble themselves whether he had been a consul or a slave, a tribune of the legion or a common soldier, a patrician or an artisan. It sufficed that they knew him to have been a believer in Christ, a man who feared God. They cared not to perpetuate in death the vain distinctions of the world; they had mastered the glori ous teaching of the Lord, “One is your master, even Christ, and all ye are breth ren.”—E. D e P ressense . Paul’s Shortest Letter P h ilem o n . Memory Verse: “ Let us love one an other” (1 John 4:7). Approach: Paul wrote a number of let ters while he was a prisoner at Rome. The one we are going to talk about today is the shortest one that he wrote, but it is a
life, new desires, new motives, and new expression in actions. The word “perhaps” contains a hint for Philemon. Did the providence of God permit the departure of Onesimus in order to remind Philemon of his duty? Perhaps Philemon had been slow to give the gospel to his servants, and God had permitted phis one to go where he could hear the gospel, and later return. III. " P au l ’ s P romise (17-20) This is the only Epistle which teaches the fullness qf the doctrine o f imputation. “Receive him as myself,” was to mean to Philemon that with the regard, respect, and love with ■which •he would have received Paul, with that he was to receive and love Onesimus. This is the character of the acceptance the believer in Christ has before God (cf. Eph. 1 :6; Rom. 1 :7; 1 John 3:1, 2; 2 Cor. 5:21). Then follows Paul’s great promise to Philemon, as though “he' said: “Whatever Onesimus owes thee, and however he has wronged thee, put that on my account and I will repay it.” The words “put that on mine account” form just one word in Greek which means “impute” (cf. Rom. 5:13), and this was what actually took place for the believer when our Lord died upon the cross; He assumed all of the obligations and all o f the indebtedness before God, saying, in effect, to the Judge of all the earth, “I will answer for him, and I will pay all of his debts” (cf. Isa. 53:5, 6; 1 Pet. 2:24; Gal. 2:20). Paul ended his plea with the words: “Yea, brother, let me have joy [“help,” R. V.] of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels [“heart,” R. V.] in the Lord.” With so touching and moving an appeal, one can hardly doubt that Philemon acced ed to the request with joy and that this new convert, Onesimus, became a brother indeed to Philemon, and to the church at Colosse (cf. Col. 4:9). Points and Problems 1. The title chosen for this lesson is surely appropriate. If true “ Christian Brotherhood” has ever been, exemplified, it is in the beautiful incident recorded in the little Book o f Philemon, the story of Philemon the wealthy slave-owner, Onesi mus the runaway slave, and Paul the aged apostle and prisoner of Rome. No teacher should miss the opportunity of presenting the entire Epistle. It presents a perfect allegory of the salvation of sinners by grace. Luther was right when he said, “We are all Onesimi of the Lord.” , 2. Some one has described this Epistle as the most perfect example o f the art of letter-writing in all literature. Read it through with this thought in mind. The writer had a difficult task to accomplish^- the reconciliation of a master to the slave who had wronged him. Notice how Paul
very beautiful one. This letter was writ ten to a f r i e n d name d Ph i l emo n who lived in the city of Colosse. The sur prising thing is .that Paul h i ms e l f had never been in this city, so far as we know. But you re member that once he stayed for two years
in the big city of Ephesus. This city was about a hundred miles from Colosse, and
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