The Ones - Part 2

References:

• Paul’s letter to Philemon vss. 1-25

  • Context for the letter

    • Connections to the church in Collosae

      • Epiphras starts a house church with Philemon

      • Onesimus wrongs his master, Philemon and flees

      • Onesimus is converted by Paul in Rome while Paul’s imprisoned there

    • Paul sends Onesimus back to Collosae with Tychicus (Col 4:7-9)

  • Vss. 1-7: Opening prayer

    • Recognition & encouragement

    • v 6: κοινωνία - (koy-nohn-ee'-ah)

  • Vss. 8-20: Paul’s request/instruction

    • Application of the Koinonia principle

      • An ask, not command

      • Fracturing of fellowship to unity

        • No more Jew/Gentile, slave/free

        • Colossians 3:11

      • v 17: κοινωνός - partner

      • v 19: a friendly reminder of the koinonia blessing

  • Vss. 21-25: Final greeting

• Application

  • What is your experience of koinonia?

    • Have you experienced the fracturing of koinonia?

    • How would Jesus (and Paul) have you work to reconcile and recover a partnership (koinonia)

    • Remembering how Paul modeled Jesus’ work on the cross, how is your heart impacted and inspired?