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. This beautiful letter is a masterful example of the art of gentle persuasion. Philemon definition and meaning collins english dictionary. What are the most commonly asked questions about the book of philemon. The letter from paul to philemon was of a very personal nature. Paul had explained the gospel to philemon and had witnessed the profound. The letter to philemon is a brilliant affirmation of christian ethics. Colossians summary false teachings had become so systemic in the church at colossae that paul devoted much of the letter to the sufficiency of christ and christ alone 2. Can this short letter be viewed from different perspectives. In this brief epistle, the apostle paul provides faiths solution to the problem of reconciling a christian slave to his christian master. Onesimus was a slave who had robbed and run away from his owner, philemon, and had fled to rome, where he came in contact with the teachings of the apostle paul.
The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. He took the disciples with him and had discussion daily in the lecture hall of tyrannus. Onesimus is a brother in gods family and philemon loves him very much. Bible explained bible commentary study of each verse in. It also seems probable that philemon was one of pauls converts from the time he spent in ephesus. Whatever onesimus took from philemon, paul says he will repay verses 1819.
The book of philemon is a letter written by the apostle paul while in prison, to philemon in regards to his slave, onesimus. The tact and delicacy of the apostles pleading for onesimus would. Paul sent the other three prison epistlesephesians, colossians, and philemonby the hand of tychicus, as their destinations were near one another. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Gods love and grace transforms their lives, and they can then share the gospel with the world.
The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. Philemon 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Philemon resources commentaries, sermons, illustrations, devotionals see disclaimer. Philemon must have been rather wealthy if his home was spacious enough to allow for its regular meetings. 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. Its purpose is to teach forgiveness and acceptance. In these final words, paul reminds philemon that god has loved him freely. The heart of pauls letter to philemon is the fellowship that comes from reconciliation. The book of philemon is a letter written by the apostle paul while in prison. Both paul and onesimus were convinced that the right thing to do was for the latter to return to his master, making right the earlier wrongs.
Paul had warned slave owners that they had a responsibility towards their slaves. So if you have your bibles with you today, open up to the book of philemon. Paul is sending onesimus back to philemon not to be his slave, but to assist him in his work to spread faith in the protagonist. Paul wrote this book to his friend philemon who lived in colosse, and this letter was probably sent to him along with the letter to the church there. He accepted the christian faith as taught by paul and had actually become a convert. This sermon reveals how broken people are made whole again and the part we play in the process. 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. It appears that he was a slave holder before he was saved. Philemon 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action.
Philemon 1 download lesson notes, powerpoints, audio. Nov 16, 2019 the meaning, origin and history of the given name philemon. Jun 14, 20 and an excerpt from this weeks sermon on philemon. After clicking register, you will receive an email with a link to verify your account and to complete your registration. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. Read your own bible, the bible as quoted on this site, and my comments. David guzik commentary on pauls letter to philemon, which is a plea to his friend. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly scripture encouragement to share with family and friends. Now i suspect that philemon may be a difficult book for you to find. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. Watch our overview video on the book of titus, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary shmoop. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus.
This is from the greek agape, a love focused on others, which philemon had previously shared with paul by supporting him and other believers. In titus, paul commissions titus to show how the good news of jesus and. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. Paul tries to convince philemon to make the right decision. At such an occasion, the letter had to be read aloud to all those people. The book of philemon resonates with an understanding of life jesus set forth in the sermon on the mount. The book of titus teaches believers how to live in a. The epistles to colossians and to philemon dunn, james d. Thirdly, if onesimus stayed he helped man in chains for the gospel. There is no longer jew or greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female. Paul reminded philemon of his own debt to the apostle philemon 1. Summary of the book of philemon summary of hebrews.
In it a writer states that he is reluctant to say something that he does nevertheless say. The book of philemon is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. Onesimus was still the property of philemon, and paul wrote to smooth the way for his return to his master. Go to the bottom of that page to see the index chapters, which are hot links. The book of titus teaches cretan believers how to live godly lives in their sinful society. 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. Verses 14 suggest that paul wants philemon to send onesimus back to paul possibly freeing him for the purpose. 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.
Philemons interest in him was now doubled, in consequence of his conversion to christianity. The apostles joy and praise for philemon s steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. However, the letter to the philippians was to be delivered by epaphroditus, who had come to paul in rome with financial help from the church at philippi philippians 2. 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. Philemon 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on.
Philemon was the master of onesimus, a runaway slave. The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. Study in philemon by edgar pierce exposing the word. Could the common view of onesimus as a runaway, thieving slave be wrong. 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. Apr 11, 2019 forgiveness shines like a brilliant light throughout the bible, and one of its brightest spots is the tiny book of philemon. His slave, onesimus pronounced ownsimus had run away and by divine providence may have become imprisoned with paul since runaway slaves were sometimes arrested. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Philemon summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of philemon for bible study or sunday school lessons.
Philemon commentary john gills exposition of the bible. The epistle to titus was written in approximately a. In some bibles a subscription to the epistle may show that paul wrote from nicopolis in macedonia. Paul reminds philemon that we all have done wrong things. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition. 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. When a chapter or section is finished, you will see at the bottom of the page over the links, go to the next section.
The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. The name philemon occurs only once in the bible, namely in the opening line of the book that bears his name. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. The author paul declares himself to actually be the. Whenever i preach a sermon a fair amount of the time i spend on it is spent looking for illustrations to help explain and convey a meaning or a concept a bit better a story that would bring it home as such. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church.
The slave onesimus robbed his master, philemon, and ran away, making his way to rome and to paul. This short letter is a masterpiece of tact and psychology. The significance of epistolary greetings goes beyond identifying author and audience. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary galatians. This may seem strange to the modern mindreturn an escaped slave. Philemon the slaveowner and onesimus the runaway slave or bondservant had both been reconciled to god through pauls ministry. For personal study, i suggest you start at the beginning of a chapter or book. 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. It gives a dynamic meaning to faith in the market place. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv.
This genuine concern gave paul joy, comfort, and encouragement. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. This means, however, that they were also being informed of the sensitive, yet urgent matter and could have been further agents of control, should philemon himself. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness. The book of philemon gives us insight as to how these words in colossians are to be applied to daily living. Philemon the slaveowner and onesimus the runaway slave or bondservant had. After his dramatic conversion on the road to damascus, pauls singular purpose was to prove that jesus is the christ acts 9. He then writes to philemon explaining why he is sending onesimus back to him and asks that. Recommended sites bible info questions with answers in major world languages. The contrast was the emptiness of human tradition and the fullness that is found in jesus christ 2. Therefore, though i might be very bold in christ to command you what is fitting, yet for. According to the flesh, as above explained, he was one of his family.
Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in houston. Paul does deal with the issue of brotherly love in philemon vv. Click on a book listed below which will take you to its introduction page. Apparently philemon had become a christian through pauls ministry either directly or indirectly. In verse 7, paul refers to the same love he mentioned in verse 5. Slavery was widespread in the roman empire according to some estimates, slaves constituted one third, perhaps more, of the population, and an accepted. A large portion of the letter addresses the roman practice of slavery, specifically in the life of a man named onesimus. Also, paul asks philemon to accept onesimus as a fellow christian rather than as a slave. The authors salutation, however conventional and formal, specifies the nature of the relationship between author and audience and even draws lines around the conversation being carried on by the letter in hand. Just as the demonpossessed man of gerasenes was restored, so was onesimus. 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.
Apparently, onesimus stole from his master then ran away to rome where he met paul and became a believer. Unpacking pauls role in philemon as well as the underlying meaning in the text good evening. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the jews. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian. Today, as we look at the book of philemon, we are going to see forgiveness in action.
Philemon chapter 1 is the first and only chapter of philemon, the shortest of the apostle pauls letters. Philemon provides valuable historical insights into the early churchs relationship to the institution of slavery. A daily bible study in 7day sections with a summary commentary, discussion questions, and daily application section introduction the prior section sunday philemon 1. Philemon 125 friendship, forgiveness, reputation discussion questions 1. The 1 chapter book of philemon is about a runaway slave onesimus being sent back to his master by the suggestion of paul the apostle. For a broader view look at the comments in the right column. We know from this letter, that philemon was probably a man who had some wealth. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Philemon greetings though paul was a prisoner of rome, he considered his bonds to be a means of furthering christs cause philemon 1, 9, 10, 2223. This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. So philemon must love other people in the same way as god loves him.
Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the new testament. Before you attempt to answer the questions below you should read these chapters in the bible and answer the questions at the end of each chapter found at the website answer the questions below and then click ok to send your answers. Appeal for forgiveness click chart to enlarge charts from jensens survey of the nt used by permission another overview chart philemon charles swindoll detailed chart by w graham scroggie. In the bible book that bears philemons name, paul addressed his beloved brother.
At least he had a nice home, and it was believed it was large enough that the church had been held in his home. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries. In this short personal letter, the apostle paul asks his friend philemon to extend forgiveness to a runaway slave named onesimus. Philemon 2025 20 yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the lord. During the time of pauls ministry in ephesus, philemon had likely journeyed to the city, heard pauls preaching and became a christian. The book of philemon is as several authors have said, like looking over the shoulder of philemon as he reads his personal mail. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter. 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. Paul and philemon, one that would serve a significant purpose in light of the. The phrase in parentheses in this verse is a rhetorical device called paraleipsis. The completed registration allows us to send order and donation receipts to the email address you provided. The apostles joy and praise for philemons steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints.
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