Recently, some scholars have challenged the traditional reading of the letter and have proposed a. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is published by jehovahs witnesses. Paul wrote this letter to philemon, a believer in colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner cf. An introduction to the book of philemon an argument of the book of philemon a selected bibliography of colossians and philemon daniel b. Wright presents and analyzes abundant material from pauls letter to philemon. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery.
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. Clearly, a kinship existed between paul and philemon. Most runaway slaves, if caught, faced harsh punishment and sometimes even death. American bible society is a 501 c 3 non profit organization.
Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. In todays article, we will explore the rich historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of the book of philemon. May you discover gods character as you read his letter to you. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible. Pauls friendship with philemon is shown by something significantly missing in his greeting. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his. But it soon becomes evident that its contents are directed toward philemon, a beloved friend and fellow laborer with paul.
Philemon provides valuable historical insights into the early churchs relationship to the institution of slavery. Philemon, onesimus master, was also a christian and pauls close friend. 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. Tom constables expository notes on philemon this is also available in the net. The epistle was intended for philemon, who may have been an elder in the church at colossae. The letter, rather, is a personal missive sent from paul to a friend in colossae. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth that.
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. This epistle is the story of three main characters, onesimus, philemon and paul and their interaction. This 2 part expository study of philemon was preached at flagstaff christian fellowship in 2007. Rome, about the same time the epistle to the colossians was written. The book of philemon forgiveness shines like a brilliant light throughout the bible, and one of its brightest spots is the tiny book of philemon. Philemon kjv paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and bible. Audio and manuscripts are available for each lesson. All donations are tax deductible in full or in part. Philemon king james version kjv 1 paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and timothy our brother, unto philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 and to our beloved apphia, and archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house. Jan 25, 2018 at church a few weeks ago, my husband took note of how our pastor, nate shurden, thanked god for the book of philemon, calling it this postcard epistle in the corpus of the canon. Previous index next the epistle to philemon introduction to philemon author. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of philemon information useful to understand before a study of the letters contents slavery in the grecoroman world one of the most important things to understand about philemon is the background of slavery in the ancient world.
One of pauls epistles was written to the colossian believers. Philemon is one of those bible books that we usually skim over, if not ignore altogether. Philemon is a letter that showcases the cost of asking for and of granting forgiveness. A life application bible study is inexpensive and contains lessons, charts, maps, study questions and notes. For permission to reproducedistribute these resources from steve cole including the word document and audio files found on the individual lesson pages below please see bible. The book of philemon offers a powerful case study of brotherly love and the importance of forgiveness and equality within the body of christ. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Philemon in the picture study bible the book of philemon. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away. The fugitive made his way to rome, one thousand miles to the west via land. Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse. It was written around 62 ad whilst paul was imprisoned in rome. One of pauls shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of philemon demonstrates the gospel through action.
Through pauls ministry onesimus had come to faith in jesus while a runaway slave. One of his slaves, onesimus, had apparently stolen from him cf. Since colossians was written from rome during pauls first imprisonment 62 ad. That he was apparently a resident of colossae is supported by the fact that his slave, onesimus, was a colossian colossians 4. The thirteenth, and last, of pauls epistles, and the eighteenth book in the new testament, is philemon. What he meant is truethat this little book beautifully illustrates the.
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. Scholars are convinced that philemon was the owner of a slave, onesimus, who had run away and made his way to paul when the latter was in prison. The epistle is addressed to philemon, with the church in his house, and to sister apphia and archippus. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. The book of philemon may be short, but its 25 verses pack a powerful spiritual punch. Onesimus is now returning to his master and paul hopes to influence how philemon responds to him. There were millions of people in asia minor, and philemon was just one of the men who came to know the lord jesus. Its written to philemon whose slave onesimus ran away and became a believer under pauls teaching. Pauls convert and fellowworker who lived in colossae and ministered to the saints.
Onesimus, a slave in colossae, had evidently robbed philemon, his. Free interactive bible quizzes with answers and high score tables. So the fact that onesimus was probably sent by philemon to help paul while he was in prison puts a little different slant on understanding the book. But, margaret shows us how much we really miss out on in the word when we do so. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. The last of pauls authentic letters is the letter to philemon. Philemon is often studied in conjunction with other letters usually 1 and 2 timothy and titus. 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. In that day, most runaway slaves, if caught, faced harsh punishment and sometimes even death. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. In this short personal letter, the apostle paul asks his friend philemon to extend forgiveness to a runaway slave named onesimus. It is first a primary history source for roman history in the first century.
Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. It was way up in the phrygian country in the anatolian section of what is turkey today. In time, as onesimus grew in the faith through pauls teaching, he realized. They would simply live christian lives and wait for the leavening teaching of. Filled with a wealth of ideas for going deeper so you can return to this study again and again. Gospel writers mark and luke also received this title later in the letter 1.
Lessons learned from philemon simple bible studies. Pauls plea to a friend, on behalf of a slave this is a notable epistle, and full of worth. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is. Pauls letter to his christian brother philemon gives us a. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv. Paul, the apostle of jesus christ phm 1,9,19 place of writing. Philemon 1 1 paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our dear friend and fellow worker 2 also to apphia our sister and archippus our fellow soldierand to the church that meets in your home. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. This is one of the most remarkable epistles in the scripture. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. Paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his escaped former slave onesimus, and shows that they are equals because of jesus. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. This 12week practical study series from crossway orients the student to the near and far context, key questions, gospel glimpses, whole bible connections, and theological and practical implications for every section of the books of colossians and philemon. Slavery was widespread in the roman empire according to some estimates, slaves constituted one third, perhaps more, of the population and an accepted part of life.
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. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. The letter from paul to philemon was of a very personal nature. This is the only place in the new testament where philemon is mentioned by name, but we do know that he was a beloved friend to paul.
Lifechange lifechange bible studies will help you grow in christlikeness through a lifechanging encounter with gods word. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Paul was imprisoned in rome when he wrote this personal. Paul is writing to say that he is sending onesimus back to philemon and to encourage philemon to accept onesimus as a friend and a follower of jesus. Paul hoped philemon would become a living illustration of the grace. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library. Onesimus, a slave in colossae, had evidently robbed philemon, his master verse 18, and run away. In pauls day, slavery had virtually eclipsed free labor. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. Now philemon owned slaves, and he had a slave named onesimus.
He did what most runaway slaves apparently didhe moved into a great metropolis. Study guide for philemon by chuck smith blue letter bible. Included are historical insights, word definitions, discussion questions, assignments and a leaders guide. 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 church in their house. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is packed with abiding truths so needed in our modern world. Summaryin this very short and personal epistle, paul addresses it to philemon, apphia, archippus and to the church in their house. 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, the main recipient of the letter, was a wealthy man from colossae. Most people seem to mainly focus on the restitution of onesimus to philemon, but theres a lot more to it than that.
Onesimus took a chance one day, as any slave would have done, and made a run for it. The letter to philemon is a brilliant affirmation of christian ethics. Paul reminded philemon that his life was saved when paul led him to christ, so philemon owed him a favor. 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. This outline of philemon is intended to assist you as you study the bible. 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. Study guide for philemon by david guzik blue letter bible.
It is obvious from this study that margaret has studied to show herself approved of god, a workman that needs not. Nov 28, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. After his salutation, paul expresses his thanks for the noble qualities. Participants will be encouraged to apply gods word to their lives. Unlike most of pauls letters, his letter to philemon has little directly to do with christian doctrine or the pastoral care of believers. A fun way to see how much you know about the bible whilst complementing your bible study. An introduction to the book of philemon an argument of the book of philemon a selected bibliography of colossians and philemon. The book of philemon as well as the book of colossians were written by paul and delivered at the same time. The letter is addressed to philemon, an old friend of pauls who he had converted during his time at colosse. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. Bible study of the letter to philemon and the lessons individuals can draw from this man from colossi rating. Epistle to philemon read the bible online bible study tools. Like the epistle to the colossians, the epistle to philemon was written when paul was in chains phm 1,10,23. Home bible studies philemon studies overview of philemon.