Paul to a christian living in the area of colossae and included as a book in the new testament see bible table. I write this letter to you, philemon, my good friend and companion in this workalso to our sister apphia, to archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house. This outline of philemon is intended to assist you as you study the bible. Bynum 2009 tabernacle baptist church the doctrine of imputation applied memory verse. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. Letter from paul to philemon, paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and timothy our. That he was apparently a resident of colossae is supported by the fact that his slave, onesimus, was a colossian colossians 4. Pauls instruction here provides the biblical definition of forgiveness, without. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. What he meant is truethat this little book beautifully illustrates the salvation that every believer enjoys. Pauls basic claim in philemon is the same as it is in galatians 3.
Forgiveness shines like a brilliant light throughout the bible, and one of its brightest spots is the tiny book of philemon. Pauls letter to philemon, apphia and archippus and the church in histheir house philemon 1. May you discover gods character as you read his letter to you. This verse mentions thanking god for the faith of the recipient, philemon. Philemon summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of philemon for bible study or sunday school lessons. As is true for philemon, so the partnership of faith in christian community offers the support and encouragement that enables action that goes beyond even what is asked or imagined. This epistle is the story of three main characters, onesimus, philemon and paul and their interaction. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness.
There are three main characters paul, philemon, and onesimus that paul himself used to focus on the important doctrine of the believer in christ. 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. This is the new testament, king james bible, narrated by alexander scourby. Philemon is a perfect example of what ancient letters were typically like in the grecoroman world. We are writing to philemon our fellow worker and friend, whom we love very much. Colossians, philemon the niv application commentary book 12. Bible the book in full the epistle of paul the apostle to philemon, asking. There is no longer jew or greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female. Can this short letter be viewed from different perspectives. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. In this short personal letter, the apostle paul asks his friend philemon to extend forgiveness to a runaway slave named onesimus.
An argument of the book of philemon related media being encouraged by the reports of spiritual effectiveness in philemons life, paul requests of him to graciously receive his runaway slave, onesimus, as a fellow believer and partner in the gospel ministry in accordance with the love that he has shown to other believers and the grace which he. You can find the best commentary on philemon for you using the tools on the right side. It is evident from the letter to him that philemon was a man of property and influence, since he is represented as the head of a numerous household, and as exercising an expensive liberality toward his friends and the poor in general. Philemon 1, new international version niv the bible app. Paul to a christian living in the area of colossae and included as a. Philemon synonyms, philemon pronunciation, philemon translation, english. The heart of pauls letter to philemon is the fellowship that comes from reconciliation. Philemon dictionary definition philemon defined yourdictionary. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary galatians.
Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary shmoop. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Ephesians philippians colossians philemon is pauls only one chapter book. Jun 14, 20 and an excerpt from this weeks sermon on philemon. Following are questions our class used copies of the questions without the answers were printed out for groups of students to work on. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. The book of philemon is about a personal appeal to a prosperous christian slave owner to receive his slave back as a brother in christ. Librivox recording of the book of philemon from the world english bible. Epistle of paul the apostle to philemon, epistle to philemon. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all paul s writings and deals with the practice of slavery. Philemon 2025 20 yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the lord. In this series, forgiveness a study in philemon, we are shown that there are higher paths than retaliation and holding grudges. Philemon was the master of onesimus, a runaway slave. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv.
Information about philemon in the dictionary, synonyms and antonyms. Onesimus is a brother in gods family and philemon loves him very much. When paul sits down to put pen to parchment to write to his friends in galatia, hes not exactly feeling the warm fuzzies for them. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Philemon definition and meaning bible dictionary bible study tools. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of.
It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. What are the most commonly asked questions about the book of philemon. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in. Meaning, origin and history of the name philemon behind. Martin luther wrote, we are all the lords onesimi cited by h. This short letter is a masterpiece of tact and psychology. The apostles joy and praise for philemon s steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. Teacherbefore class prepare questions for your students to discover from the passage of scripture. Paul introduces himself, noting that he is a prisoner of christ jesus. Activity read the parts of the letter and let them identify it in the letter 1.
The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. Philemon definition of philemon by the free dictionary. As human beings, it is a natural tendency to perceive the eye for an eye mentality as fair and just, but god disagrees. Read by leon mire while in prison, paul writes this letter to another christian, philemon. In this letter paul encourages philemon to forgive and accept onesimus, his runaway slave, back as he would accept a brother. Paul praises philemon for the love he has shown not just to him but to all the believers in that area.
The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. Philemon ceb greeting from paul, who is a prisoner. 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.
And we are writing to the christians who meet in your house. Home content index books of the bible philemon questions about philemon. Timothy is the brother of both paul and of the recipient of this letter but not in the physical literal sense. Philemon 125 friendship, forgiveness, reputation discussion questions 1.
Colossians, philemon the niv application commentary book. The epistle to philemon chapter one objectives in studying philemon 1 to be impressed with the loving hospitality which characterized the christians in the early church 2 to learn lessons in the use of tact in dealing with others summary in this very short and personal epistle, paul addresses it to philemon, apphia, archippus and to the. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Proper usage and audio pronunciation of the word philemon. Philemon stands as one piece of strong evidence to the contrary, revealing that lofty doctrines such as the love of god, forgiveness in christ, or the inherent dignity of humanity have real and pertinent impact in everyday life. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. Could the common view of onesimus as a runaway, thieving slave be wrong. Paul tries to convince philemon to make the right decision. Pauls letter to philemon is the eighteenth book in the new testament.
Now from these general observations we come to the epistle of philemon itself. Nov 16, 2019 the meaning, origin and history of the given name philemon. The name philemon occurs only once in the bible, namely in the opening line of the book that bears his name. The basis for pauls appeal to philemon is the supreme christian virtue of love. Also, paul asks philemon to accept onesimus as a fellow christian rather than as a slave. The meaning, origin and history of the given name philemon. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority, but as a prisoner of jesus christ, calling. Whatever onesimus took from philemon, paul says he will repay verses 1819.
In the time of the apostles it had seen its better days. Philemon definition is a friend and probable convert of the apostle paul. Colossae was a bustling city in phrygia, in the southwest region of asia minor. Book of philemon bible survey what are the prison epistles. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. This summary of the book of philemon provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of philemon. The apostles joy and praise for philemons steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. Moule, colossian and philemon studies christian literature crusade, pp. The epistle of philemon was written by the apostle paul while imprisoned in rome. Once famed for its soft wool and colorful dyes, commercial competition had muted its influence.
Verse 4, however, adds the additional detail of paul mentioning philemon in his prayers. Paul s letter to philemon is a plea that the slaveowner and the slave be reconciled with one another. Pauls letter to philemon is a daily bible reading study of the book of philemon which is found in the new testament of the bible. Philemon 125 this letter seems to be a personal letter, but of its divine inspiration there can be no doubt. Bible a book of the new testament, a letter from the apostle paul to his friend philemon.
Some commentators surmise that apphia may have been philemon s wife and archippus their son, but here at abarim publications we find it doubtful that paul would use his churchhosting. Philemon the slaveowner and onesimus the runaway slave or bondservant had both been reconciled to god through pauls ministry. Paul continues by saying that he is confident that philemon will do what is right and receive his former servant as a brother in the faith verses 2021. Paul has met with and converted a man named onesimus, probably a runaway slave, and he writes to philemon, onesimuss legal owner, to tell him that he is sending him back. The heart of paul s letter to philemon is the fellowship that comes from reconciliation. As the shortest of pauls letters 335 words, it is situated at the end of the pauline corpus, which has been traditionally arranged not by date but from the longest to the shortest romans through philemon. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Translation v1 paul, a prisoner for the sake of jesus christ, and timothy my brother unto philemon, my beloved friend and coworker.
925 733 26 1224 143 761 219 556 65 263 1166 950 380 441 767 343 909 718 757 360 762 824 626 1080 116 1591 1075 1328 109 433 736 757 767 1238 1247 969 685 1227 485 1284