The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. Apparently, during pauls threeyear ministry in ephesus a. He took the disciples with him and had discussion daily in the lecture hall of tyrannus. This article contains an overview of the key events and bible people found in philemon in the bible. Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible. Philemon is unusual because it is only one chapter long, and its purpose is often misconstrued as condoning slavery. Philemon is a perfect example of what ancient letters were typically like in the grecoroman world. Paul therefore urged his friend philemon to form a new relationship with onesimus, his runaway slave.
State the purpose of the book of philemon introduction pauls letter to philemon deals with a runaway slave named onesimus, who apparently emerged from his hiding place in romes twisting alleys to begin a new life by embracing the gospel. The book of philemon, one of the shortest books in the bible, teaches an important lesson on forgiveness. Paul implies that all this is actually gods purpose being worked out and that onesimus should be treated more as a brother in the faith rather than as a slave. Philemon apphia, archippus, and the church in philemons house 16. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This message is an overview of the book of philemon and part of a 2year study of the bible. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. This would lead one to think that such a personal issue would only be brought up between the two parties, philemon and onesimus. The letter of paul to philemon epistle by saint paul britannica.
In the bible book that bears philemons name, paul addressed his beloved. Recipient, background and purpose paul wrote this letter to philemon, a believer in colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner cf. Besides, onesimus had been serving paul who was imprisoned at the time 1. But as such it is extremely interesting and full of the most. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv. He began serving christ in the colossian community. In the bible book that bears philemon s name, paul addressed his beloved brother as a fellow worker, a title given to those who served for a time alongside paul. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian. This epistle has often been called a private epistle of the apostle. Activity read the parts of the letter and let them identify it in the letter 1. Previous index next the epistle to philemon introduction to philemon author. Start studying study questions for the book of philemon. Paul was definitely the author and nothing needs to confirm that. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church.
It appears that he was a slave holder before he was saved. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. In some ways the escape of onesimus was nothing but trouble. Mar, 2016 philemon is unusual because it is only one chapter long, and its purpose is often misconstrued as condoning slavery. Paul was writing philemon as a brother in christ about his slave, onesimus, and now that onesimus had trusted in christ, paul wanted philemon to consider him as a brother in christ. Philemon paul, a prisoner for christ jesus, and timothy our. Gordon fee in his book how to read the ible for all its worth lays out the form of ancient letters as follows with examples from philemon added. The main character in the book is a man by the name of.
It made onesimus a criminal, possibly subject to the death penalty. Rome, about the same time the epistle to the colossians was written. Minister, woodland heights christian church, crawfordsville, in no. Also, paul asks philemon to accept onesimus as a fellow christian rather than as a slave.
This short, but valuable epistle has been described as. Study questions for the book of philemon flashcards quizlet. Paul and philemon, one that would serve a significant purpose in light of the. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. But the mention of the church in philemons house shows that the personal circumstances of the christian are not to be separated from the fellowship of the believers, as they are members of one body ephesians 4. Verse 15 15 for perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, philemons brief loss of a slave is repaid by a permanent gain of a brother. Further, to show his sincerity, paul vows to pay back whatever onesimus owes vv. I beseech thee for my son onesimus, whom i have begotten in my. The epistle to philemon was written from rome at the same time as the epistles to the colossians and ephesians, and was sent also by onesimus. The main purpose of a summary is as a simplification highlighting the major points from the original and much longer version of the subject. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary. Harris aims to close the gap between grammatical analysis and. Onesimus is a brother in gods family and philemon loves him very much.
Paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his escaped former slave onesimus, and shows that they are equals because of jesus. The book of philemon was written by the apostle paul on about 62 a. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority, but as a prisoner of jesus christ, calling. Intro to philemon biblica the international bible society. A summary of the book of philemon what is the purpose of. Paul tries to convince philemon to make the right decision. The purpose of the letter was a request regarding onesimus. One of his slaves, onesimus, had apparently stolen from him cf. Paul was imprisoned in rome when he wrote this personal. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. It also seems probable that philemon was one of pauls converts from the time he spent in ephesus. Paul clearly writes as a prisoner in philemon 1,9,10,23. What paul is asking philemon to do is to model redemption in a social context 1516.
One of pauls shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of philemon demonstrates the gospel through action. Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth that truly reward the serious bible student. But the mention of the church in philemon s house shows that the personal circumstances of the christian are not to be separated from the fellowship of the believers, as they are members of one body ephesians 4. Philemon paul, a prisoner for christ jesus, and timothy. Philemon intro to philemon biblica the international bible society. Paul was writing philemon as a brother in christ and now. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority. The apostles joy and praise for philemons steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints.
Nov 04, 2016 the main purpose of the book of galatians is to vindicate pauls call by god and the gospel of grace. Jun 21, 20 this letter or epistle to philemon was for the purpose of having onesimus freed and accepted as a fellow saint by philemon. This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a. Sadly, many misconstrue this to say that paul condones slavery but that is not even in the context of the book of philemon. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. In the bible book that bears philemons name, paul addressed his beloved brother as a fellow worker, a title given to those who served for a time alongside paul. The letter of philemon was written by paul the apostle along with timothy.
The book of philemon is as several authors have said, like looking over the shoulder of philemon as he reads his personal mail. The epistles are general while the letters are more personal and individual. Colossians and philemon exegetical guide to the greek new. From the content of the epistle, it appears that paul had both a primary and secondary purpose.
This summary of the book of philemon provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of philemon. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. What is the major purpose for the book of galatians. For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose. Paul writes that whatever philemon does for onesimus, it is as if he is doing it for paul verses 1517. For one thing, slavery is not even in the context of the book of philemon. The book of philemon is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. The main purpose of the book of galatians is to vindicate pauls call by god and the gospel of grace. Whatever onesimus took from philemon, paul says he will repay verses 1819. We could divide the new testament epistles into two general categories epistles and letters. Jun, 2011 the two main characters in this story are philemon and onesimus, for the book itself is shaped around paul appealing to philemon to accept onesimus back as a beloved brother 16c. The two main characters in this story are philemon and onesimus, for the book itself is shaped around paul appealing to philemon to accept onesimus back as a beloved brother 16c.
Summary of the book of philemon story of the bible. The book is a very personal letter sent from the apostle paul see philemon 1,9,19 to his friend and son in the faith philemon. Paul, the principal, who calls himself a prisoner of jesus christ, that is, for jesus christ. Observations and answered questions dan nichols blog. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of christ unto another gospel. Although paul could command philemon to do so, he urges him instead, hoping that philemon will be willing without coercion. The primary purpose of this letter is to manifest the love of jesus christ for each one of us as seen in what he did for us before god in pleading our case. The book of philemon is constructed as a letter from paul, addressed to philemon, who was one of pauls friends. Home online bible commentaries online greek word study audio devotionals for christian women free sermon outlines an overview of the book of philemon. It was in a certain way a letter of recommendation. Walter martin, founder of the christian research institute and writer of the bestselling book kingdom of the cults, quipped in his usual tongueincheek manner that the book of hebrews was written by a hebrew to other hebrews telling the hebrews to stop acting like hebrews.
Study in philemon by edgar pierce exposing the word. This is the finest illustration of the doctrine of substitution. Pauls convert and fellowworker who lived in colossae and ministered to the saints. Yet in it all, paul could see a purpose of god and he wanted philemon to see the purpose also. Philemon s love and faith 4 g i thank my god always when i remember you in my prayers, 5 because i h hear of your love and i of the faith that you have toward the lord jesus and for all the saints, 6 and i pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full j knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of christ. Its written to philemon whose slave onesimus ran away and became a believer under pauls teaching. The letter of paul to philemon, brief new testament letter written by paul the. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. Paul, the apostle of jesus christ 1,9,19 place of writing. Philemon apphia, archippus, and the church in philemon s house 16. Instead of a masterslave relationship, it should now be a brotherly relationship. Verse 16 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slavea beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the lord. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. After his dramatic conversion on the road to damascus, pauls singular purpose was to prove that jesus is the christ acts 9.
Colossians and philemon is the first book in a projected series of twenty volumes that seeks to bring together classroom, study, and pulpit by providing the student or pastor with the information needed to understand and expound the greek text of the new testament. A brief synopsis the famous bible stories found in the scriptural text of the book of philemon contained. This epistle is the story of three main characters, onesimus, philemon and paul and their interaction. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Among its 27 books are selected recollections of the life and acts and. The apostles joy and praise for philemon s steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints.
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