Você está na página 1de 3

INTRODUCTION:

TEXT: PHILEM10-19
Memory verse: For by grace you have
been saved through faith and that not of
our yourselves; it is the gift of God.
(Eph2:8)

The limitations or the imperfection of


typology were discussed in lesson3 with
regard to Paul not fitting exactly into the
role of Jesus Christ because as Paul
himself declares in his epistle to the
Corinthians, -- no other foundation can
anyone lay than that which is laid, which
is Jesus Christ. (1Corinth3:17) In the
case of Onesimus as symbolizing the
Christians in the fallen state we are close
to perfect typology as he is a born again
Christian.

LESSON OBJECTIVES:
1] To show Onesimus did nothing under
the law to deserve the favor of Philemon
sought for him by Paul.
2] To show that Onesimus like all bornagain Christians is a new person.
3] To understand that the reconciliation
of Onesimus to Philemon is like that of the
Christians to God.
4] To know as Christians in the new life
we are expected to produce fruits, so
Onesimus is supposed to be more
profitable to Philemon.
5] To explain that the blessings that
accrue to the Christians in the new life
are similar to those opportunities
awaiting Onesimus in service to
Philemon (Eph1&2)

SUBJECT MATTER:
[1] Onesimus did nothing to necessitate
waiver of the law:
a) According to the Roman law
applicable in time of offence a
runaway slave deserved death
penalty. The fact that he became
born-again Christian could not
change the law of the land. If this
were to be applied to bring about
reprieve to those awaiting death
sentence the state would be
having in its hand dealing with
cases of clever pretenders.
b) In this light we can safely say that
that Onesimus did nothing to
deserve the pardon of Philemon
just as the Christian does not
deserve the pardon he receives by
1|Page

merely confessing his faith in Christ


except for the mercy of God.
c) In fact, for Philemon to pardon
Onesimus he would be setting a
bad precedence for other slaves.
Yes it might influence others to
become Christians, but it might also
create opportunity for pretenders.
What, therefore, Paul did was to
appeal to Philemons sense of
fraternal ties and love.
[2] Onesimus New Life:
i) Onesimus new life is similar to
that of the Christians. Paul testified
to this in Philem10-13 that he
would be more profitable than
before, compare with 2 Corinth
5:17-18.
ii) Paul himself was given impetus
to plead for Onesimus because he
was persuaded that Onesimus was
anew creation in Christ. As an
erudite person in law he could not
have stood surety for Onesimus if
he did not think he was a new
person in Christ .The new person in
Christ was the one Paul stood
surety for not the old person
whom Paul describes in Eph2:1-3,
as children of wrath; disobedient
and fulfilling the desires of the
flesh. That is what we all were as at
yore (1Corith6:11).

iii) We can infer from the foregoing


that Onesimus had the new man.
a) If he was not a new man he
would not agree to Pauls
suggestion of a reconciliation
between him and Philemon.
b) To be asked to deliver the
letter
of
reconciliation
personally
meant
Paul
trusted this new Onesimus
absolutely as is expressed in
Coloss4:9 he is a faithful and
beloved brother
c) That Onesimus agreed to
go back to his master,
knowing what was awaiting
him under the law if
Philemon was not persuaded
by Pauls plea meant he had
received the faith as a
marriage vow of for better
for worse. He had become a
true disciple in other words.
[3] Onesimus-Philemon Reconciliation as
Christians model:
i) As Onesimus belonged to
Philemon so Adam before fall.
ii) Onesimus knew death was the
penalty for run away from master
as Adam knew to eat the
forbidden fruit was death
iii) As Paul was mediator between
Onesimus and Philemon, so Christ
2|Page

between
man
and
(2ndCorinth5:18, 1Tim2:5).

God

himself as his reliable manager,


pastor, and counselor etc.

Iv) As the conversion of the natural


man to Christianity is return to Eden
so is the return of Onesimus to his
master Philemon in Colossae. His
new status is similar to that of the
Christians in the new birth.

[5] Onesimus and Christians have similar


Blessings:

For both it is paradise lost is


paradise regained.
[4] Onesimus and Christians bear fruits:
i) Natural man is dead in sins,
unable to fulfil Gods law (Rom8:58); in like manner Onesimus while
away from master had death
hanging over him. Besides, he was
unprofitable to the master
(Philem11).
ii) Natural man is likened to branch
severed from the vine, soon to die
for lack of sap; even so Onesimus
once away from master lacked the
resource for sustenance. The
Christian on return to the vine is
expected to bear fruit (John15:4,
16).
In the new life if Onesimus
returned to Philemon, he would
be more cooperative and
productive. He could become a
manager or even a counselor. For
instance, one of my sons working
with a private contractor found

i) Both have moved from death to


life, the Christian becomes entitled
to rights and privileges of
Commonwealth
of Israel and
Onesimus as son of Philemon will
share with the biological children
of Philemon (Ephes2:8,11-14;
2ndCorinth5:17-21).
ii) Both have peace with their lords
and masters, arising out of
forgiveness of sins.
iii) Both become adopted sons of
their masters (John1:12, Philem1011).

PERSONAL ASSESSMENT
QUESTIONS:
1) What did you do to make you deserve
salvation?
2) Do you believe you are still a new person
in the Lord Jesus Christ? Give reasons for
your answer.
3) Do you feel fully reconciled to God? Why?
4) Are you bearing fruits? List a few of the
fruits you have borne since becoming a
Christian.
5) Count your blessings in the Lord and name
them one by one. Looking through your list
do you have many reasons to rejoice and
praise God?
3|Page

Você também pode gostar