WEBVTT

00:05.270 --> 00:10.350
Introduction to the Epistle of Paul the
Apostle to Philemon Around AD 60,

00:10.650 --> 00:14.850
while imprisoned in Rome, the Apostle Paul
wrote this brief letter to a man named

00:14.850 --> 00:15.370
Philemon.

00:16.250 --> 00:20.170
Philemon was a believer in the church in
Colossae in Asia Minor, which is part of

00:20.170 --> 00:21.110
present-day Turkey.

00:22.090 --> 00:24.590
Philemon, along with other believers,
was a slave owner.

00:25.430 --> 00:29.230
One of his slaves, Onesimus, had
apparently stolen from him and then run

00:29.230 --> 00:29.530
away.

00:30.450 --> 00:32.890
Under Roman law, this was punishable by
death.

00:33.510 --> 00:37.270
But Onesimus met Paul in Rome,
and there he was confronted with the

00:37.270 --> 00:39.170
gospel and came to faith in Christ.

00:39.770 --> 00:43.870
Now he was willing to fulfill his duty and
return to his master with this letter.

00:45.050 --> 00:48.850
Paul writes this personal appeal to
Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a

00:48.850 --> 00:50.730
brother in Christ, not as a slave.

00:51.470 --> 00:56.830
As you listen, think about those barriers
of race, wealth, position, status,

00:57.250 --> 01:01.790
education, and personality, any of which
can separate us from others, especially

01:01.790 --> 01:02.650
other believers.