The Helper · Enneagram 2w1
A host of the church in his home, asked by Paul to welcome back his runaway slave as a brother.
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The Helper · 2w1 (Reformer wing) →A host of the church in his home, asked by Paul to welcome back his runaway slave as a brother.
“the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you”
Philemon was a believer, a beloved fellow worker of Paul's, and the church met in his house. Paul had heard of his love and faith, and wrote that the hearts of the saints had been refreshed through him. Paul seems to have led him to faith, since he reminds him that he owes Paul his own self.
His slave Onesimus had run away and, somehow, met Paul in prison and become a believer. Paul sent Onesimus back with a short letter, asking Philemon to receive him no longer as a bondservant but as a beloved brother, and to charge any debt to Paul's account. Paul added that he was confident Philemon would do even more than he asked, and to prepare a guest room. Scripture does not record what Philemon did.
the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you
Beginning
A host and fellow worker.
High point
Paul thanks God for his love.
Low point
His slave has run off, perhaps owing him.
Turning point
Paul asks him to welcome a brother.
Ending
Paul trusts he will do even more.
Starts as a master who was wronged. Ends as a brother asked to forgive.
Only places Scripture records. Softer, dotted pins are traditional or uncertain sites. Tap a pin for the passage.
Philemon's letter names no place; his home is inferred.
The Helper
Enneagram 2, Reformer wing
To be loving and to be loved.
Scripture doesn't give us much here, so treat this as a best guess.
Warm-hearted host. The church meets in his house. ()
Known for love. Paul hears of his love for all the saints. ()
Refreshes people. The hearts of the saints are refreshed through him. ()
Big Five. Read from what he says and does in the Gospels and Acts.
DISC style: Warm, hospitable, generous.
Love and faith toward the saints (). Refreshed others (). Opened his home ().
He owned a slave and had been wronged by him; Paul writes to change how he sees Onesimus ().
Scripture does not say.
Scripture does not say.
Family
Discipled or reached
PaulHe owed Paul his own self (Philem 19).
Where this points to Christ
If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account (). Paul offers to take the debt on himself, just as Christ took ours. In Christ there is neither slave nor free (), and Philemon was asked to treat a debtor as family.
Is there someone who wronged you that God is sending back into your life as a brother or sister?
Philemon's home refreshed people. Who needs a place at your table?
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NextOnesimusA runaway slave who met Paul in prison and was sent home as a beloved brother.
