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Running Head: SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT 1

Signature Assignment The book of Philemon

Fresno Pacific University

Michelle Jaramillo
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The Book of Philemon

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE LETTER

The book of Philemon most certainly is not a book indeed; however the book of

Philemon is often recognized as a letter written by Paul during Paul’s first imprisonment.

Depending on how one may understand the Bible and how God’s word is interpreted the book of

Philemon can be viewed from several areas. The book of Philemon may very well have different

meanings depending on the reader and how the passage is digested. I believe the book is about

forgiveness; Gods love and how he loves us and how we should love one another, obedience,

determine or judge. Some can also argue the book of Philemon can very well be related to

authority. The Apostle Paul has authority over Philemon and through the letter Paul tries to

convince Philemon to do as Paul wishes.

The letter was from two great Christians who were Paul and Timothy, verse one “Paul, a

prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother”. The letter was created and given to the

greatest people on earth, Christians and born again believers. Verse two states to which the letter

was addressed, “To Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your

house”. Verse three sought to impart the greatest blessings to the readers, “Grace to you and

peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.

THE PRAYER OF PAUL FOR PHILEMON

Paul felt the need for prayer over Philemon so that God could touch his heart and he

would learn how to forgive. The power of prayer is one of our greatest powers when we are

fighting in a spiritual battle. With prayer the hand of God is moved, when the hand of God is

moved things begin to happen and hearts begin to change. Paul prayed for Philemon, Verse four

“When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God. 5) Because I hear of your love
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for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus.6) I pray that the sharing of your faith may

become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. 7) I have indeed

received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been

refreshed through you, my brother”. The main focus and foundation of the letter was a life lesson

to God people on how we should pray for one another and to hold each of us accountable

throughout our walk with Christ. We are not to pass judgment on one another but if our brothers

and sisters were to fall short throughout their walk with Christ we as God’s people are obligated

to stand in the gap for one another and intercede. Christian’s should pray for each other, James

5:16 “So admit your sin’s to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed.

Prayers offered by those who have God’s approval are effective”.

There were several different factors that influenced the motivation of Paul’s prayer. For

example, Paul had heard of Philemon’s character. Philemon loved the Lord, Matthew 22:36-40

“Teacher which commandment is the greatest in Moses’ teachings? 37) Jesus answered him,

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your entire mind. 38)

This is the greatest and most important commandment. 39) The second is like it: Love your

neighbor as you love yourself. 40) All of Moses’ teachings and the Prophets depend on these two

commandments.” Philemon believed in the Lord, Hebrews 11:6 “No one can please God

without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who

seek him”. Philemon loved the saints, 1 Peter 1:22 “Love each other with a warm love that

comes from the heart. After all, you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth. As a result

you have a sincere love for each other”. The nature of Paul’s prayer revolved around two

important factors. For example, Paul prayed that Philemon would grow spiritually. Christians

need to pray for their brother and sister so that they can grow in spirituality. Ephesians 4:13-16,
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“This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s son,

until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard. 14) Then we will no

longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the

wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead

us astray. 15) Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our

relationship to Christ, who is the head. 16) He makes the whole body fit together and unites it

through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow

so that it builds itself up in love”. Overall these were the reasons for Paul’s prayer; Paul had a

great consolation over the character of Philemon. Christians as well should have a great

consolation over the character of another Christian. Matthew 5:14-16, “you are light for the

world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. 15) No one lights a lamp and puts it

under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines

on everyone in the house. 16) In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they

will see the good that you do and praise your Father in Heaven”.

THE INTERCESSION OF PAUL FOR ONESIMUS

The nature of Paul’s intercession was the foundation of Paul asking Philemon to accept

Onesimus back as being a Christian brother in Christ instead of being a runaway slave. There

were also several different appeals of Paul’s intercession. For example Paul could have

commanded forgiveness and acceptance to be done. Philemon verse eight, “For this reason,

though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, 9) yet I would rather appeal

to you on the basis of love- and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Jesus

Christ. 10) I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during

my imprisonment.” Paul used the greatest appeal for his request such as for love sake which is
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described in verse nine through ten. Philemon, you can love me because I am old and a prisoner

of the Lord, described in verses nine. Philemon, you can love Onesimus because he is a

Christian, as described in verse ten. There were also many different factors that influenced the

motivations for Paul’s intercession. Philemon verses eleven, “Formerly he was useless to you,

but now he is indeed useful both of you and to me. 12) I am sending him, that is, my own heart,

back to you. 13) I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place

during my imprisonment for the gospel. 14) But I preferred to do nothing without your consent,

in order that your good deed might be voluntarily and not something forced”. Paul explained to

Philemon Onesimus as a Christian can be of service to Philemon. Paul’s intension to convince

Philemon was to accept Onesimus and to be received with love. Verse thirteen and fourteen is

described as Onesimus could have very well ministered unto Paul.

Just as there was motivation for Paul’s intercession, there were also charges for Paul’s

intercession as well. In the book of Philemon verses 15-22 explain what these charges were.

Philemon verse 15, “perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for awhile, so that you

might have him back forever. 16) No longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-

especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord”. The breakdown

of the above verses describe the explanation to Philemon, describing he can very well receive

Onesimus as a Christian brother. Philemon verse 17, “So if you consider me as your partner,

welcome him as you would welcome me”. The verse describes, that Philemon can receive

Onesimus as Philemon would receive Paul. Philemon verse 18, “If he has wronged you in any

way, or owes you anything, charges that to my account”. Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to each other,

sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ”. The verses describe,

Philemon can forgive Onesimus. Philemon verse 19-22, “I Paul, am writing this with my own
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hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20) Yes, brother, let

me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21) Confident of your

obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22) One thing

more- prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you”.

Paul is convinced that Philemon can fulfill Paul’s request, Philemon is aware of the relationship,

Philemon and Paul need joy in the lord as described in verse 20. Verse 21, Paul had confidence

in Philemon’s obedience, Philemon knew that Paul needed his prayers and also that Paul has

planned to come and visit him soon as described in verse 22.

THE SALUTATION OF PAUL

In the book of Philemon verse 23, “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends

greetings to you. 24) And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke may be low workers. 25)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit”. These verses of the letter are described as

greetings from fellow prisoners in Christ, and also fellow laborers in Christ. Grace from our Lord

Jesus Christ is confirmed through the letter that God will be with our spirit always. Through

forgiveness and accepting one another as brothers and sisters through Christ, the grace of God

allows these actions to take place in one’s lives.

In conclusion, the book of Philemon is about forgiveness, God’s love, how he loves us,

and how we should love one another. Through God’s grace we are able to view one another as a

child of God, therefore, we should also see one another as brothers and sisters through Christ.

We are not to pass judgment on others, but on the other hand we are here to help keep hold each

other accountable for our actions and the choices we make. As brothers and sisters of Christ we

are not only created to be placed here on earth to spread the love and gospel of Christ but we are

also here on earth to help each other grow spiritually. Growth is created through forgiveness,
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love, and accepting one another as Chris loves and accepts each of us. Interceding and standing

in the gap for one another is the greatest tool we can use when keeping our brothers and sisters in

prayer and making sure each of us remain walking with God. Each of us fall short daily in our

walk’s with the Lord, this is the glory of God’s love for us despite the downfalls God’s grace is

there to pick each of us up when we fall.

The image represents a person being free and no longer held by bondage. From slaves of sin to

freedom in Christ, in my opinion we all sin and fall short of God’s glory but through Christ we

are no longer a slave to sin, but we are free through Christ once we have asked for forgiveness.
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REFERENCES

New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha: NRSV, College Ed. (paper). Oxford Univ. Press,

2010.

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