Philemon 

A private letter of intercession written by Paul probably from Rome, and sent to Philemon at Colosse
 Col 4:7-9

FACTS CONCERNING PHILEMON. He was apparently a member of the church at Colosse, which seems to have held its assemblies in his house
 Phm 2

His benevolence,
 Phm 5-7

and Paul's request for him to prepare a lodging,
 Phm 22

indicate that he was a man of some means. As Paul had never been in Colosse
 Col 2:1

Philemon must have met him elsewhere, possibly in Ephesus, which was not far away. It would seem that he owed his conversion to the apostle
 Phm 19

THE STORY OF ONESIMUS. He was a runaway slave of Philemon. It is inferred that he robbed his master and fled to Rome
 Phm 18

Here he came under the influence of Paul and was converted
 Phm 10

He became a devoted disciple of Christ
 Col 4:9

Paul would have chosen to have detained him in Rome as a helper,
 Phm 13

but not having the consent of Philemon, he felt it was his duty to send the slave back to his master. So the apostle writes this beautiful letter of intercession, pleading with Philemon to forgive and restore Onesimus to favour.
 Phm 14

SYNOPSIS.

(1) The cordial and commendatory greeting
 Phm 1-7

(2) The testimonial concerning the changed character of Onesimus
 Phm 10,11

(3) The tender appeal for forgiveness of the returning slave
 Phm 12-19

(4) Farewell salutations and benediction
 Phm 20-25

SPIRITUAL LESSONS from Paul's example.
(1) The importance of sympathy for the lowly

(2) The duty of obedience to the law on the part of converts: Onesimus must return to his master.

(3) Christian brotherhood obliterates all social and class distinctions.

(Outline from Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible)

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