During Paul’s House Arrest in Rome 60-62 AD (Acts 28:30); Onesimus – useful; Philemon – kindly
Archippus possibly the house church pastor in Colossae (Col. 4:17 – Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.)
Reading of Philemon verses 10-17
1. Repeatedly Rebellious – verse 10
Runaway Slave – “I have begotten in my bonds”
1,200 miles from Colossae to Rome
Nearly 80% of male inmates are re-arrested
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-prison-repeat-offenders-0215-20120214,0,6765006.story
- Useless Onesimus – “Which in time past was to thee unprofitable”
2. Repentant Regeneration
verse 10 – Begotten in Bonds
verse 16 – Beloved Brother
3. Remorseful Restitution
verse 12 – “thou therefore receive him”
verse 17 – “receive him as myself”
verse 18 – “If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee ought”
4. Recommended Reconciliation
verse 15 – “receive him for ever”
verse 16 – “Not as a servant … but”
Brother beloved
Especially to me
In the Lord
5. Regarded Reliable
verse 11 – “now profitable to thee and to me”
Col. 4:9 – “Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother”
In the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-29, Jesus commends the faithful when He says, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
It is better to faithful and do right first. That is the best way.
If you sin,
Confess it (1 John 1:9)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Start again (Prov. 24:16)
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again”
Then be faithful (I Cor. 4:2)
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”