The book of Philemon is a personal letter written to a slave owner named Philemon who has a runaway slave named Onesimus, whom Paul is sending back to Philemon. Because this is the purpose of the book, Philemon is an often skipped book. A letter to a slave owner about a runaway slave. Does this book have anything for us? Can this book be useful to us? There are a couple of reasons for us to study this book and recognize that it can be useful for us today. First, this personal letter was kept by God as scripture for us today. Second, notice that this book was not written to Philemon alone, as we might assume. Carefully read verse 2 and you will see that not only is this letter written to Philemon, but also Apphia, Archippus, and the church in your house. This letter was read to the church. So, though this situation is a personal matter regarding Philemon and Onesimus, its message is important and practical for us today…
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