The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his escaped former slave onesimus, and shows that they are equals because of jesus. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon. 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 response paul strongly desires from philemon springs from his orientation toward discipleship. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary galatians. 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. Paul starts the letter with the customary introduction that is frequently seen in grecoroman letters. In our last message on this parable of the wedding feast, we discovered that jesus spoke this parable in the context of hostility.
In it a writer states that he is reluctant to say something that he does nevertheless say. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in. In some bibles a subscription to the epistle may show that paul wrote from nicopolis in macedonia. To philemon our dear friend and fellow worker 2also to apphia our sister and archippus our fellow soldierand to the church that meets in your home. Paul knows how super loving and faithful philemon is. Paul then appeals to philemon throughout the rest of letter by employing language and ideas that are given their significance from the old testament and its unfolding story of redemptionwords such as saints vv. Paul, the writer of the letter, wrote this scripture as a letter format to his christian brother, philemon. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery.
But it shows how to address a pastoral situation in a way that reveals important principles that are of use not just in this particular situation but in others as well. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Activity read the parts of the letter and let them identify it in the letter 1. Therefore, though i might be very bold in christ to command you what is fitting, yet for. Paul not only says who wrote the book of philemon but he also tells who he wrote in to by writing, paul, a prisoner for christ jesus, and timothy. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original.
Many people are turned off to the bible because they perceive it to be a book which addresses doctrinal issues they are unable to understand because they havent been to some religious school they think understanding the bible requires some theological degree. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. 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. Paul had explained the gospel to philemon and had witnessed the profound.
We have detailed a brief summary of the book of philemon for bible study or sunday school lessons. Promises to repair any wrong he had done to his master, philemon 1. Urges motives to induce philemon to forgive him, philemon 1. Written by paul, philemon is the 18th book of the bible. The letter from paul to philemon was of a very personal nature. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv. One of pauls shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of philemon demonstrates the gospel through action. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. Could the common view of onesimus as a runaway, thieving slave be wrong. Also, paul asks philemon to accept onesimus as a fellow christian rather than as a slave. 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. Paul and philemon, one that would serve a significant purpose in light of the. 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. Paul was imprisoned in rome when he wrote this personal.
This is the earliest known fragment of the epistle to philemon. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. Within the american bible, the 57th book is entitled philemon, being the eighteenth book of the new testament canon1. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or. Paul praises philemon for the love he has shown not just to him but to all the believers in that area. It may have been onesimus that included this note as a vivid demonstration of how great christ can change and use even a fugitive slave like himself. Dont work only while being watched, as peoplepleasers, but. The central hope of the old testament is therefore brought to mind right from the start of philemon. Summary of the book of philemon summary of hebrews. Click on a book listed below which will take you to its introduction page. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. Philemon, the name of the christian to whom paul addressed his epistle in behalf of 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.
Listen to chuck swindolls overview of titus in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Although the book of philemon is about sin, forgiveness, salvation, love, validation, inspiration, grace is amongst all. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in. The epistle to titus was written in approximately a. The book of colossians was penned at the same time as philemon. He extols his faith, love, and christian charity, philemon 1. The phrase in parentheses in this verse is a rhetorical device called paraleipsis. The basis for pauls appeal to philemon is the supreme christian virtue of love. Paul was in rome, italy, at the time where he was a prisoner of jesus christ. Explain the spiritual mystery of the letter to philemon. Sadly, many misconstrue this to say that paul condones slavery but that is not even in the context of the book of philemon. Paul reminded philemon of his own debt to the apostle philemon 1. This time, paul is writing his friends philemon, apphia, and archippus.
They would simply live christian lives and wait for the leavening teaching of christ to work its power. He had entered jerusalem for the passover and was teaching the people and new testament gospels. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Philemon 1, new international version niv the bible app. He was a native probably of colosse, or at all events lived in that city when the apostle wrote to him. The origin of pauls relationship with titus is shrouded in mystery, though we. David guzik commentary on pauls letter to philemon, which is a plea to his friend. He was probably a man of some means, was celebrated for his hospitality philemon 1. The chief priests and pharisees were seeking to kill jesus.
Hes heard all about it and its warmed his little heart just thinking about all the christians that have been inspired by philemon s goodness. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. But he has promised the holy spirit to help us understand john 16. Gordon fee in his book how to read the bible for all its worth lays out the form of ancient letters as follows. Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eyeservice, as peoplepleasers. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. The word of god is precious and far beyond human wisdom isa. Back in 1820 the average person in england wrote only three letters a year. Apparently philemon had become a christian through pauls ministry either directly or indirectly. Book of titus overview insight for living ministries.
Philemon 125 friendship, forgiveness, reputation discussion questions 1. So, whenever you open the sacred word, also open your heart to god in prayer, allowing the words of this commentary to direct your thoughts to the scriptures and to the one they tell us about. When a chapter or section is finished, you will see at the bottom of. Philemon christian forgiveness if then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. 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. Following i will explain in my own understanding each attribute stated in the book of philemon. Lessons learned from philemon simple bible studies. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. Main characters the book of philemon involves three main characters. Bible explained bible commentary study of each verse in. The apostles joy and praise for philemon s steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. Entreats forgiveness for his servant onesimus, philemon 1. Pauls convert and fellowworker who lived in colossae and ministered to the saints.
Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the lord. Among the converts of paul, perhaps while at ephesus, was one whom he calls a fellowworker, philemon philemon 1. Even though paul founded the church there and explicitly told them everything they ever needed to know about jesus, the galatians havent exactly been toeing. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Thirdly, if onesimus stayed he helped man in chains for the gospel.
An alternate view is that the actual master of the slave is archippus and that the one to whom the letter is addressed, philemon, is the most prominent christian there. Paul identified himself as the author of the letter to titus, calling himself a bondservant of god and an apostle of jesus christ titus 1. It more likely refers to philemon than to the last one named, archippus. Its true that philemon is not a straightforward book of teaching the way many of pauls epistles are, which is why it is classed among the pastoral epistles. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority. Can this short letter be viewed from different perspectives. Go to the bottom of that page to see the index chapters, which are hot links. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. Paul tries to convince philemon to make the right decision. Onesimus is a brother in gods family and philemon loves him very much. Its written to philemon whose slave onesimus ran away and became a believer under pauls teaching. Philemon is a perfect example of what ancient letters were typically like in the grecoroman world. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1.
Perhaps the greatest of all points paul makes in this book is the fact that it is by grace you have been. In the bible book that bears philemons name, paul addressed his beloved brother. Paul was writing philemon as a brother in christ and now. Paul was in rome, italy, at the time where he was a.
The apostles joy and praise for philemons steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. When a chapter or section is finished, you will see at the bottom of the page over the links, go to the next section. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary shmoop. The book of philemon is a letter written by the apostle paul while in prison. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. But the bulk of this is mostly addressed to philemon. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. Pauls salutation to philemon, and the church at his house, philemon 1. This may explain how this personal letter was preserved and included in the new testament. Paul was a prisoner at the time verses 1 and 9, so this is one of the four prison epistles, along with ephesians, philippians, and colossians, which paul wrote during his first roman imprisonment. He then writes to philemon explaining why he is sending onesimus back to him and asks that.
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