Enfleshing Grace
Grace takes on flesh as Paul envisions Onesimus’ freedom and full inclusion in God’s household, showing how the Gospel transforms social and personal identity.
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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.
Classroom Instructions
Section 05
SESSION 5: Enfleshing Grace
Opening Considerations:
❖ If we had an Afterword of Philemon, what would be the aftermath of Paul’s request?
TEXT: Philemon 20-25
❖ What does it look like to do even more than what Paul asked?
- Two Rhetorical Clues:
- I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in
my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is useful. (Phile.
10-11)
Paul only mentions Onesimus by name once.
From Archreistos (useless) to Evchreistos (useful).
- I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me***… ***for the
Gospel. (Phile. 13)
- Paul desires for Onesimus to be with him for the Gospel’s sake.
CONTEXT: Paul’s Dual Desire
❖ Desire One: Slave to Freedman
- Manumission – the freeing of a slave – involved three elements:
Master legally sets the slave free.
The manumission took place in community.
The slave had a change of name.
- Verses 10-11 in context sound like a verbal enacting of the manumission ceremony.
❖ Desire Two: Philemon’s House to God’s House
- Status Ranking in the first century world:
_________________
_________________
_________________
- Verses 13 and 21 in context…
SUBTEXT
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus,
Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. (Phile. 23-24)
❖ Paul and Mark’s Broken Relationship
❖ Onesimus goes on to become _________________ of Ephesus.
Discussion Questions for Reflection:
In what ways is the Christian life like a manumission ceremony?
What are some ways you can show your obligation to God’s household in your daily life?
Prayerfully reflect on if there is anyone in your life that you need to reconcile with
Enfleshing Grace Instructions
Section 05
SESSION 5: Enfleshing Grace
Opening Considerations:
❖ If we had an Afterword of Philemon, what would be the aftermath of Paul’s request?
TEXT: Philemon 20-25
❖ What does it look like to do even more than what Paul asked?
- Two Rhetorical Clues:
- I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in
my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is useful. (Phile.
10-11)
Paul only mentions Onesimus by name once.
From Archreistos (useless) to Evchreistos (useful).
- I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me***… ***for the
Gospel. (Phile. 13)
- Paul desires for Onesimus to be with him for the Gospel’s sake.
CONTEXT: Paul’s Dual Desire
❖ Desire One: Slave to Freedman
- Manumission – the freeing of a slave – involved three elements:
Master legally sets the slave free.
The manumission took place in community.
The slave had a change of name.
- Verses 10-11 in context sound like a verbal enacting of the manumission ceremony.
❖ Desire Two: Philemon’s House to God’s House
- Status Ranking in the first century world:
_________________
_________________
_________________
- Verses 13 and 21 in context…
SUBTEXT
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus,
Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. (Phile. 23-24)
❖ Paul and Mark’s Broken Relationship
❖ Onesimus goes on to become _________________ of Ephesus.
Discussion Questions for Reflection:
In what ways is the Christian life like a manumission ceremony?
What are some ways you can show your obligation to God’s household in your daily life?
Prayerfully reflect on if there is anyone in your life that you need to reconcile with