Forgiveness in Philemon 1

CONTENT

• Paul’s Teaching on Forgiveness
• Lessons to learn from forgiveness and why Christians should forgive one another.

Paul’s Teaching on Forgiveness  Phil 1.

Forgiveness literally implies having no more wish to punish someone for an offence earlier committed or simply to show mercy to someone, no longer having ill-feelings towards him.  In the New Testament of the Holy Bible, forgiveness is used to show God’s initiative by which he restored man, full of sin to this fellowship. Paul began by congratulating Philemon on his creditable role in the service of the church and for his love and faith in Jesus. In Paul’s epistle to his friend, Philemon, he appeals to him most passionately to forgive his erstwhile runaway slave called Onesimus whom Paul had met elsewhere and converted.  Paul appeals to Philemon therefore, in a heart touching manner, to accept Onesimus back and forgive him of whatever offence he must have committed,  and restore him to his relationship as a brother, no longer as a salve. Although Paul could have commanded Philemon to have Onesimus back, but he would not, for the sake of love.

As beneficiaries of the mercy and forgiveness of God, Christians as a matter of God’s commandment, should forgive one another. Indeed, there should not be any limit as to how often Christians should forgive their offenders (matt 6:14-15; 18;21-35)

At any point therefore, Christians ought to reconcile with their offenders and forgive them so as to be sure of God’s forgiveness each time they pray.

EVALUATION

1. What five lessons can we learn from Paul’s reconciliation bid?
2. State two reasons why a Christian should forgive others.

Lessons to Learn from Forgiveness and Why Christians should Forgive

1. If we must be forgiven by God, then we must forgive others.
2. The act of forgiveness should extend to rehabilitation and reconciliation.
3. There should not be any limit to forgiveness. We should forgive as many times as we are offended.
4. Christians should intercede for others as Paul interceded for Onesimus.
5. By forgiving, we are obeying God.
6. Forgiveness restores peace, love, unity among brothers.

EFFECTS OF UNFORGIVENESS

1. Hatred
2. War
3. Lack of peace and unity
4. Retardation

EVALUATION

1. Explain Paul’s teaching on forgiveness.
2. State three lessons you can learn from this teaching.

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. Trace the steps taken by Paul to teach Philemon the lesson of forgiveness.
2. In what two ways can this teaching help us accept others as our social equals?
3. Explain Paul’s teaching on forgiveness, what two lessons can we learn from it?
4. What five lessons can we learn from Paul’s reconciliation bid?

READING ASSIGNMENT

RSV Bible , Read Philemon 1

Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS1-3 by Martins . I Amaechi pg 234-236.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. Onesimus was Philemon’s A. slave    B. in-Law C. half-brother D. houseboy
2. Onesimus’ offence against Philemon was A. not stated B. he/she slept with his master’s wife   C. he owed his master  D. he disobeyed his master
3. God’s condition for forgiveness is that we A. Pray each time we sin B. forgive others C. fast daily 

D. pay our tithe

4. Paul appeals to Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a A. slave still B. demoted servant  C. casual labourer D. born-again slave
5. Who among the following was not with Paul at the time of sending Onesimus back? A. Epaphras

B. Mark C. Demas D. Andrews          

THEORY

1. Explain Paul’s teaching on forgiveness.
2. What two lessons can you learn from it?