Philippians & Philemon Date: 61/62 Written From: Roman prison (?) Theme: Philippians - Principles for life together as a community of Christians: humility,

Philippians & Philemon

Date: 61/62

Written From: Roman prison (?)

Theme: Philippians - Principles for life together as a community of Christians: humility, self-sacrifice, service.

Philemon - Accept Onesimus your slave back as a brother in Christ

The Church in Philippi

• Paul had started the Church while on his 2nd missionary tour.

• Lydia and other women were the first converts.

• While there Paul cast out a demon from a slave girl and her owner’s became angry because it hurt their income (she told fortunes – Acts 16:16-40).

• After leaving Philippi, the Church sent money for his ministry several times.

• Paul returned several times.

• A close relationship developed between Paul and the Philippian Church.

• When Paul wrote Philippians, he was in prison again.

• If from Caesarea, 58-60.

• If from Rome, 60-62.

Philippi the City

• On the Via Egnatia, recently reconstructed military road linking Asia Minor to Italy.

• Many temples and shrines to varieties of gods and godesses.– Jupiter (Zeus); Juno, Minerva, Mars, Artemis,

Isis, Serapis, Cybele.– The imperial cult was prominent.

Ancient Roman Road Near Philippi

Main Area of Philippi

Main Area – Different Angle

Shops Near Main Area of City

Theater at Philippi

Meeting Place for City Officials

Small Stream Outside of Philippi

Via Egnatia

Public Restroom

Ruins of 5th Century Church

Christian Art

Purpose of Philippians

• Two specific purposes:1. To thank the Church for sending help while

he is in prison (money, supplies, ?)• He was having to pay his own way while in

custody.

2. To let the Church know that Epaphroditus was doing much better. He had been seriously ill.

• Form: Letter of Friendship

• Paul also indicated that he fully expected to be able to come to see them soon.

• He wanted to encourage them in their struggle to be faithful in a city that was openly hostile toward them.

• He also addressed other issues that, perhaps, Epaphroditus had shared with him.

Overall Theme of Philippians

• Paul was concerned that they were not working together as they should if they were to successfully survive the challenges of culture, etc.

• He encouraged them to adopt an attitude that he saw exhibited in Christ and that he adopted in his own work.

Humility – Self Sacrifice – Service

• Paul shows how Christ practiced this principle:– 2:5-11

• He then mentions that both Timothy and Epaphroditus exhibited this attitude in their lives and thus are extremely valuable in Paul’s ministry.– Timothy 2:19-24– Epaphroditus 2:25-30

• Throughout his letter, Paul is concerned how the Philippians think, their attitude toward each other:– 1:27; 2:1-4; 2:5; 2:14f.; 3:15; 4:8f.– In spite of what is happening to him and the

struggles they are having, Paul encourages to maintain a positive attitude toward life.

Philippians Today• Emphasis on attitude toward each other.

– The same attitude Christ had toward others.

• Sense of community

Humility – Self-sacrifice – Service

2:11ff. – “…work out your salvation . . . for God is at work among you . . ..” (cf. 1:6)

4:13 “I can do all things . . ..” (Be careful with this passage – look at the context.)

Philemon

• Philemon was a member of the Church at Colossae.

• A slave of his, Onesimus, was with Paul and Paul wrote Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a brother in Christ.

• Evidently Onesimus had been converted while with Paul.

• Paul had not been to Colossae (Col. 2:1).• The church may have been established by

his co-workers while he was in Ephesus.

• Paul was in prison at the time (Phm.1, 9) and Epaphras, from Colossae also, was his “fellow prisoner” (Phm 23).

• Why Onesimus was with Paul is not clear.

• Most think he ran away. – Coincidence that he met Paul?– Perhaps he ran to find Epaphras who had

gone to be with Paul.– When he found Epaphras, he also met Paul

who then converted him (Phm 10).

• It is also possible that Philemon sent Onesimus to Epaphras for some reason.– Perhaps Epaphras was checking on Paul and

Philemon was sending more money, supplies with Onesimus.

• Onesimus may have stayed too long.

• Being converted by Paul, he would have wanted to stay for a while.

• According to Roman Law, if a person harbored a runaway slave, he/she was subject to harsh penalties.– Would also have to repay the owner for all the

time gone.

• Whether Onesimus ran away, took something, or overstayed his visit, Paul was offering to repay what he owed Philemon (18).

• Paul was asking Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a brother in Christ rather than a slave.

• Was Paul asking Philemon to give Onesimus his freedom?

• Either way, Paul’s request was bold.

• Philemon had the right as a slave owner to severely punish (even execute) Onesimus and bring charges against Paul.

• To ask Philemon not to punish Onesimus was a bold request.

• Paul asks that Philemon forgive Onesimus and accept him back as a brother rather than a slave.

• Paul’s request is an excellent example of carefully maintaining a balance between what he really wanted to ask and allowing Philemon to make the right decision.

• Of course, Philemon must remember that he owed Paul a great deal as well, his own soul (17-19).

• Paul then asks Philemon to prepare a room for him, because he will be coming to visit him soon (to check up on him and Onesimus?).