Philemon Chapter 1

Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies

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Introduction: We begin and conclude a study on Philemon this week. This is one of a very few books with only one chapter. The book of Philemon is another of Paul’s prison epistles written around 64 A.D. Onesimus is the main figure in this book, and he was a slave of Philemon who had robbed his master and fled to Rome.

Philemon is a man well known to Timothy, and Paul was instrumental in leading Onesimus to the Lord here in Rome. The chapter centers around Paul sending Onesimus back with this letter from Paul.

I. Apostolic Greetings

Phile 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

Phile 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

Phile 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This letter is addressed to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church in Philemon’s house. As we have found in our church history study recently, many of the early churches were people who came together in church capacity at a home of one of the members, many times the pastor of the church. It is believed that Apphia was the wife of Philemon and Archippus may have been his son. Paul apparently knew that Archippus was a Christian as he calls him a fellow soldier in verse 2. From Colossians 4:17 we gather that Archippus was a preacher and possibly a pastor there in Colosse.

Col 4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

It may be that Philemon was well acquainted with Timothy and highly respected him which is why Paul included his name in the salutation. Paul declares again that he is a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and considered this the exact will of God for His life.

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