hard conversations_paul and philemon

“When we avoid difficult

conversations we trade short-term

discomfort for long- term dysfunction.”Peter

Bromberg

Big and Small

When our minds are not set on something big, they will

be consumed by small things.

Paul and PhilemonPhilemon 1

First Point

Let people see that you value them before you

challenge them.

Philemon1Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Some unique characteristics of the Book of Philemon

•9 of Paul’s epistles are addressed to churches. 4 are addressed to individuals.•Philemon is addressed both to an individual and a church.


•In the majority of Paul’s epistles, he identifies himself as an apostle in the greeting.•Philemon is one of the few in which Paul does not do so.


•Most of the Pauline epistles are filled with doctrine and exhortations to Christian living.•Philemon is a deeply personal epistle lacking these features.

Philemon4I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

Philemon6and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

κοινωνία (koinōnēa) Fellowship

Philemon7For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

Second Point

Compelling other’s grace makes hard

conversations harder.

Philemon8Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—

Philemon10I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.

Philemon13I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,

Philemon14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

15For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Slavery in the 1st Century Roman Empire

•It is estimated that there were 60 million slaves in the Empire.


•It is estimated that there were 60 million slaves in the Empire.•Slavery was not based upon race.


•It is estimated that there were 60 million slaves in the Empire.•Slavery was not based upon race.•Slaves could earn money and pay for their freedom.

“Difficult conversations are almost never about getting the facts right. They are about conflicting perceptions, interpretations, and values.”

Douglas StoneHarvard

Law School

Paul’s assessment of Onessimus

•“my child” (v. 10)•“useful” (v. 11)•“my very heart” (v. 12)• a “keeper” (v. 13)• a beloved brother (v. 16)

Philemon13I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,

Philemon14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

15For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Third Point

Help people see an opportunity to be their “best me” in Hard Conversations.

Philemon17So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.

Philemon19I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Philemon21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.

Philemon’s “best self”.•He is Paul’s partner.

(Receive Onessimus as you would receive me.) – v. 17•He is a refresher of others.

(Refresh my heart in Christ) v. 18•He is reliably grace-filled.

(Confident of this…) verses 21-22.

Philemon23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

hard conversations_paul and philemon

Spiritual