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Biblical Perspectives Signature Assignment

Yanett Cristina Munguia

Fresno Pacific University

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Biblical Perspectives Signature Assignment

The Book of Philemon is a letter Paul created in order to reach out to Philemon and the

church people with a means of forgiveness, seeing others through Christ as brothers and sisters,

with a goal to free Onesimus from slavery, causing a chain reaction for others to do the same.

The Historical World bible speaks about how Philemon had become a man of

Christianity, due to Paul’s teachings. Thanks to Philemon’s wealth he was a master of a house.

He called it a church or group of Christians, where he had regular meetings. Even as a man of

Christ, Philemon had slaves. One who was mentioned by name in the Bible man named

Onesimus. Who was accused of possibly stealing from Philemon. The letter was intended for

Philemon to forgive Onesimus for stealing from him.

Paul’s letter to Philemon allows readers to see the illustration he provides on the viewing

of the Saints as brothers or sisters. In order to do so, we must learn to increase our disposition to

forgive them when found necessary. Forgiveness is a big thing within the church. The church

had a lot of authority and power over people’s beliefs. Believing in and following Jesus brought

people authority and power. God allowed them to do greater things in life if they were good

prophets. Yet those who spread the work about Christ many times ended up being imprisoned in

order to prevent the word of Christ from being shared.

Paul is a dear friend of Philemon. Onesimus was the runaway slave of Philemon. When

Onesimus ran away he met Paul. Who won him over to Christ, Onesimus was then serving Paul

during his latter imprisonment. So much so that Paul could barely be without his service, yet he

new he would have to return him to his rightful owner eventually. The Bible speaks of

assumptions of Onesimus having, stole some money or possibly other things from Philemon, his
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master. Before being able to prove or speak of the issue Onesimus had fled from Colossae the

city they lived in. Onesimus did not try to clarify the situation he simply ran away.

A description of the argument used by Paul

More in depth, Paul opens the letter by introducing himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

He then greets Philemon by name, calling him a dear friend and coworker. Also directed Apphia,

their sister, to Archippus, a fellow soldier, and to the church in his house. Paul also wishes grace

to them and peace from God, Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul reminds Philemon of how he appreciates the fact that he loves all the saints and has

a great faith towards the Lord Jesus. Throughout closing of the letter Paul ask Philemon to

prepare a room for him because he plans on restoration and being able to return. Paul mentioned

that Epaphras, a fellow prisoner of Christ also sent greetings as do Mark, Demas, Aristarchus,

and Luke other coworkers.

Paul first remembers Philemon in his prayers, and thanks God for hearing about his love

of saints and faith towards the Lord Jesus. Paul uses the basis “for this reason” to begin the

following verse because he wants Philemon to continue thinking about the previous comment he

made. In regards to him having much joy and encouragement when loving the saints had

refreshed his soul. Paul appeals based off love rather than command.

In verse 15 Paul introduces with a hypothetical reason, to cause Philemon to think and

analyze the situation. He was trying to make a point in regards to the multiple reasons why

Onesimus ran away, and the why perhaps is the idea. The “so” involved in verse 17 is the way

Paul was reaching out to Philemon as an equal, ultimatum to Philemon, he’d feel obligated to see

Onesimus as an equal as well. The core of the request rather than a demand, being made by Paul

is mentioned in the content of the letter.

The Contemporary World

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Paul describes himself as a prisoner, an old man he can command he is “bold enough,” as

a brother to Philemon and a father in Christ. Paul described Philemon as a brother, partner,

coworker, dear friend, and a person who has a lot of love, faith and encourages others to do the

same. Onesimus was described by Paul to be a slave, my heart, someone who was useless but

then became useful, a brother through Christ, and my child.

The church is also involved in the hearing of this letter. Paul has the additional pressure

place on him because he has to carefully analyze his words. He must select his words wisely and

approach carefully. Through out verse 1the status is described as a prisoner easing into a

conversation, who demonstrates care and relationships. Paul has a higher status in the church that

is clear. Yet he asks Philemon for a request rather than providing a demand. As well as those

who should be selected as practical examples of living gospels.

Paul warned the church leaders of hazardous times that were coming and counseled them

on how to protect the Saints of destructive influences or false teachings. They were taught that

the holy scriptures were the source of sound instruction and doctrine. The church was at the

home of those who served God. The church seems to be having a quarrel with the type of

agreements between Paul and Philemon regarding Onesimus.

The qualifications to be a bishop consist of being “blameless, only having one wife,

being sober, vigilant, having good behavior, providing hospitality, can teach, not a drinker,

striker, greedy or filthy lucre, must be patient, not a brawler, covetous. He must have rule, over

his own house other wise he is incapable of caring for a church. Cannot be a novice, nor prideful

to fall for condemnation of devil, over all a good report” (1 Timothy 3:2-7).
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Paul prefers to not affect their friendship and appeals to him as a brother in Christ

through the friendship. Paul is attempting to convince Philemon to take Onesimus back as a

brother in Christ. Forgiving him is also a request Paul makes, as well as freeing Onesimus from

slavery. In verse 17 it is mentioned, “that he should welcome him as he’d welcome me.” In the

eyes of Paul, Onesimus to no longer be a slave, there is a stronger bond now he has become more

of a brother rather than a slave. As a base Paul further reaches out to all the church members in

an attempt to get rid of all slavery.

The book of Philemon speaks about how Paul has more power than Philemon, yet he

does not approach him with superiority, instead he speaks to him as an equal. The power of

Christ encourages us to do the right thing, which is what God would want to do. Paul speaks

about the grace from God, without demand, change and transformations occur. Paul describes the

true meaning of what it is actually like to be a part and person of the church.

Summary

Over all, the letter from Paul to Philemon and the church, he addresses who it is meant

for and sends greetings. Paul identifies himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ. He attempts to

establish himself as a messenger of God, sending God’s grace. Paul demonstrates forgiveness

and compassion. The letters provide grace, and how people should live owing it and changing to

receive and extend it. Paul remembers how Philemon had all this love for all the churches’ saints

and followers of Christ. His faithfulness was use to try and encourage Philemon, and persuade

him to not change his thoughts of himself.

The appeals are made using love instead of commands. There were multiple reasons why

Onesimus ran away, the ideas are the “Perhaps.” Reaching out to Philemon was the ultimatum

hoping he would feel obligated to see one another as an equal. All three have in common that
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they are brothers in Christ. Paul wants to completely free Onesimus from slavery and obtain his

forgiveness.

Paul is seeking to have the church ban all slavery in general. Paul’s power is well known,

yet he does not use it to command his wishes. Instead he makes himself be seen as everyone else

and seeks to be heard and understood. He uses Christ as an anchor to help him spread grace and

allow everyone to see the right path God would want everyone to follow.

I really like the phrase you shared with me about “ the power of Christ”, being a good

incite to the letter for Philemon. All is done in the “power of Christ, not out of purely human

will.” The information that has evidence in the bible to assist in supporting the truth is not

considered to be interpretation, because it can be supported through data. The information that is

interpretation is more of the way that a person can derive the information from the text. This

does not change the facts or the way the text and events happened.

As a way you analyze and gather the information and interpretation of the text can be

incorrect because you can misread or miss interpret the way you understand the text. I have

learned through out the course that with this type of text that is more difficult to interpret. I have

found to be very help to analyze the text content in groups. That way throughout the discussion if

everyone is on the same page or had a different outlook on the interpretation of the text there can

be a clarification.
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Source Citaion

Coogan, M. (2010). The new oxford annotated bible. New York: Oxford University Press.