Charge it to me (Philemon)

Charge it to me.

Philemon 1-23

Key verse 18 ¹⁸ If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

[Outline the book by dividing the passages into paragraphs according the content. Also find the overall content of this writing .]

1.     [1-3] Who are the sender and recipient of this letter? (1,2; Read Col 4:7-17 as well) What is the greeting? (3)

2.     [4-7] What did Paul do always in his prayer and why? What might be the effect of this prayer life in his relationship with Philemon? (4-5) What was the prayer at this time of writing? (6a) What might be the good thing that Paul wanted to share? (6b) What blessing had Paul received from Philemon’s life?  (7)

3.     [8-10] What could he have done? (8, ref. 9b) Instead what did he choose to do?  (9a) Based on what? (9a. ref. 7) What was Paul‘s appeal to Philemon? (10) How did Paul introduce Onesimus? What did he mean by it? At this time what might be Philemon’s understanding of Onesimus? (11, 15a)  How might it a big surprise to Philemon?  

4.     [11-14] According to Paul, how was Onesimus changed (11-12)?  Discuss the significance of the change and what Paul meant that Onesimus was his very heart. How was the change real? (13) What was Paul’s reason for asking Philemon’s consent? (14) 

5.     [15-17]In Paul’s perspective, what was the likely reason of Onesimus’ runaway? (15) What could be Philemon’s view on this? How did such perspective come about in Paul’s mind? In this new perspective, who was Onesimus to be for Philemon? (16a) Why? (16b) On what aspects? (16b) What was his final request? (17) Discuss the gravity of Paul’s request to Philemon.

6.     [18-21] What matter does Paul deal with in this paragraph? What was Paul willing to do on behalf of Onesimus? (18) How does he guarantee this(19)? What might be the significance for Paul if he gets such benefit from Philemon(20)?

7.     [21-25] Over all, how did Paul express his confidence in Philemon? (21-22)  In your view, what might be the basis of such confidence of Paul? Answer this by reviewing the entire passage. What is the final remark?  (3, 25; 2 Tim 4:22; 1 Tim 6:21; 2 Thess 3:18; Rev 1:4)? Discuss how the grace of God is revealed, worked and demanded in the lives of Paul, Onesimus and Philemon.