Sunday – September 10, 2023, Elul 24, 5783
Greetings brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God and welcome to a new study from the Book of Philemon. You will likely notice that the individual teachings, not just of this series, but in general will trend shorter. We are in a sound bit, microwave, generation. This examination of Philemon will be a multiweek study. The main theme of the Book is intercession (intervention, mediation, arbitration, negotiation) and upon that I will focus. As with any Book of the Bible there are lots of Truths spoken of but I will do my best to stick with intercession. What a wonderful gift given to mankind.
Please take a moment to share this teaching, all of this Ministry’s teachings, as widely as possible. Thank you so much for sharing. Your sharing is vital to the dissemination of the Truth, the Gospel, the Good News. Now, let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text from, you guessed it, Philemon. Please be sure you are reading out loud.
Philemon 1:1-4 (KJV)
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
For what it is worth concerning the timing of the writing of this Book this is from Google. “The Epistle to Philemon was composed around AD 57–62 by Paul while in prison at Caesarea Maritima (early date) or more likely from Rome (later date) in conjunction with the composition of Colossians.” This letter or Epistle was written by the Apostle Paul who refers to himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Although this letter may have been written while in prison it is not mentioned in the letter. He does not refer to himself as a prisoner of Rome but of Jesus Christ. Although Timothy is not an author of this letter he is mentioned as one present with the Apostle Paul and a participant in sending the letter. The letter is addressed primarily to one named Philemon thus the name of the Epistle. Paul refers to the main recipient of the letter, Philemon, as a dearly beloved fellow labourer.
Then as we proceed into the second verse, we see two other persons mentioned. First is Apphia who according to the Biographical Bible is thought to be the wife of Philemon. Archippus according to the same source is thought to be a friend of the Apostle Paul and a fellow soldier. Next, we see the idea of intercession emerge in verse three. This greeting in verse three is very common throughout Scripture but particularly in the New Testament. Notice it is a command or a decree for the benefit of Philemon and the others addressed.
Philemon 1:3 (KJV)
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul is asking Father God and the Lord Jesus Christ to grant grace and peace unto these people in addition to what is already present in their lives. This is not based on the faith of Philemon, Apphia, or Archippus but the relationship between the Apostle Paul and the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here next Sunday.
Authored By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
2 Chronicles 20:20 b (KJV)
20 … Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (KJV)
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
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