Bible Studies

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The Letters
Philemon 1-21 - Useful Transformation
Key Verses: (NRSV)

• 4-5: "When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God ⁵because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus." - Paul writes a letter to his good friend Philemon and rejoices in all the good he has accomplished.
  
  
• 7: "I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother." - Paul reminds Philemon of all the openness and love he has shown to others.
  
  
• 10: "I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment." - Onesimus, a runaway slave, had captured the heart of Paul who now came forward in his behalf.
  
  
• 11: "Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me." - As a slave, Onesimus had a limited role, but now, as a Christian dedicated to spreading the gospel, he had become an invaluable asset to God's kingdom.
  
  
• 17: "So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me." - Paul pleads that all debt be forgiven and that Onesimus be received as a free man.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• Are you known by your love? Paul writes to Philemon and reflects on the good things his friend has accomplished in the building of the early Christian church. When people think of you are they amazed by your achievements in the building of God's kingdom? Is your love for others and your faithfulness to Christ the defining aspects of your life? Are others encouraged by your love? Are you spreading Christ's joy?
  
  
• Are there barriers in your life that need to come down? Philemon was a great man who gladdened the hearts of saints, and yet, Paul felt there was a blindness that needed to be addressed - a runaway slave named Onesimus. What blindness or barriers in your life need to come down? Are you ready for your "Onesimus" to enter your life? Who is God sending you today who you may not be ready to receive?
  
  
• Are you useful for God? The name Onesimus means "useful" and Paul suggests that something has happened in this slave's life to change him from being the useless person he once was. Were you, at one time, useless for God? What has changed? What transformation in your life has taken place that now makes you an "Onesimus" - useful for God and the building of His kingdom? If you have not yet been fully transformed, what steps can you take today to allow God's transforming love into your heart so you, too, can become a "useful" disciple in His kingdom?
  
  
• Who have you led to Christ? What is your responsibility for these people now? Paul had become like a father to Onesimus, leading him into a Christian life. But his responsibility did not end there. Have you helped others find Christ? Have you taken them by the hand and led them into the light of Christ's love? Have you then taken them into the household of faith to insure that they were well cared for and nourished? Or did you drop them off at the cross and expect them to find their own way from there? Do you see how important Paul's efforts in Onesimus' behalf were? Can you use Paul's actions as a model for your life?
  

Promises of the Gospel:

Our lives and the situations we find ourselves in are constantly changing. Philemon was a great leader in the early Christian church but needed some help from Paul to overcome a blindness that had developed. Onesimus, at one time useless, had been transformed into a fully devoted disciple of Christ. Slave owner and slave - once limited and defined, now open and hope-filled. These are the changes from which a life with Christ is made. As we move forward in our faith, our openness to change and the removal of barriers that limit our lives continues. We never fully reach our destination, but instead are constantly called to accept the change and transformation that a relationship in Christ demands.

FUMC Devotionals

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