Kress Biblical Resources :: Personal Introduction: An Epistle Seeking True Forgiveness and Restoration between Individuals (Phm 1:1-3)

Detailed Outline of Philemon

Forgiveness and Reconciliation Flow from a Transformed Life of Love, Faith and Obedience

1. Personal introduction: An epistle seeking true forgiveness and restoration between individuals (Phm 1:1-3) [Do you seek to be a peacemaker?]
   1. The writer (Phm 1:1a)
      1. The human author
         1. Paul¹
         2. In association with Timothy²
      2. The Divine author (1Ti 3:16; 2Pe 3:15-16)
   2. The recipients (Phm 1:1b-2)
      1. The original recipients
         1. Philemon
            1. Beloved
            2. Fellow worker
         2. Apphia (possibly Philemon’s wife)
         3. Archippus (possibly Philemon’s pastor or son; cf. Col 4:17)
         4. The church in Philemon’s house
      2. The current recipients (cf. 2Pe 3:15-16)
   3. The requisite greeting (Phm 1:3)
      1. The salutation of grace and peace
      2. The Source of grace and peace

¹For a biblical biography of the Apostle Paul see Act 7:58; Act 8:1; Act 9:1-30; Act 11:25-30; Act 12:25-28:31; 1Co 15:30-32; 2Co 6:4-5; 2Co 11:23-30; Gal 1:13-2:16; Phl 3:4-14; 2Th 3:8.

²For a biblical biography of Timothy see Act 16:1; Act 17:14-15; Act 18:5; 1Co 4:17; 1Co 16:10; Phl 2:19-23; 1Th 3:2, 6; 1Ti 1:2; 1Ti 5:23; Heb 13:23.