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. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness. Paul, the apostle of jesus christ 1,9,19 place of writing. 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. 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. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. 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. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. This letter is longer than letters usually were at that time. In this short personal letter, the apostle paul asks his friend philemon to extend forgiveness to a runaway slave named onesimus.
This book, which is again a letter, is written around 60 ad by paul during his house arrest in rome. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary galatians. Philemon 2025 20 yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the lord. The book of philemon is considered by most scholars to be a companion letter to his epistle to the colossians. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. Philemon was willing to forgive a slave who had defrauded him.
The epistle to philemon introduction to philemon author. She was a party offended and injured by onesimus, and therefore proper to be taken notice of in a letter for reconciliation and forgiveness. Twice he speaks of being a prisoner of jesus christ. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. David guzik commentary on pauls letter to philemon, which is a plea to his friend. Paul mentions his own name three times in this his shortest epistle verses 1. It appears that he was a slave holder before he was saved.
Philemon, one of note and probably a minister in the church of colosse, a city of phrygia, had a. That he was apparently a resident of colossae is supported by the fact that his slave, onesimus, was a colossian colossians 4. Philemon 1, new international version niv the bible app. Summary of the book of philemon summary of hebrews. We know from this letter, that philemon was probably a man who had some wealth. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. Appeal for forgiveness click chart to enlarge charts from jensens survey of the nt used by permission another overview chart philemon. With philemon apphia is joined, probably his yokefellow and, having a concern in the domestic affairs, the apostle directs to her likewise. Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth that truly.
Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv. A daily bible study in 7day sections with a summary commentary, discussion questions, and daily application section introduction the prior section sunday philemon 1. At least he had a nice home, and it was believed it was large enough that the church had been held in his home. Philemon resources commentaries, sermons, illustrations, devotionals see disclaimer. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly scripture encouragement to share with family and friends.
Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority, but as a prisoner of jesus christ, calling. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. He mentions this also in his other prison epistles ephesians, philippians and colossians. Paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our beloved friend. The author paul declares himself to actually be the. The apostles joy and praise for philemons steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. 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. How to study the book of philemon the philemon effect duration. This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a. The tact and delicacy of the apostles pleading for onesimus would be nullified at one stroke by the demand.
Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary shmoop. The main character in the book is a man by the name of onesimus. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian. The working preacher team believes that god uses good biblical preaching to change lives. Read philemon commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. Study the bible online using commentary on philemon and more. Paul wrote this letter to a certain person called philemon. 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 wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse.
Philemon provides valuable historical insights into the early churchs relationship to the institution of slavery. This epistle is the story of three main characters, onesimus, philemon and paul and their interaction. The definition of onesimus is profitable or useful. We have enlisted hundreds of friends biblical scholars, theologians, homileticians and pastors dedicated to the craft of biblical preaching to provide you timely, compelling and trustworthy content. Summary of the book of philemon story of the bible. 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 had warned slave owners that they had a responsibility towards their slaves. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. Apparently, onesimus stole from his master then ran away to rome where he met paul and became a believer. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his. Paul had explained the gospel to philemon and had witnessed the profound. The book of philemon is constructed as a letter from paul, addressed to philemon, who was one of pauls friends. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery.
The authenticity of philemon was disputed by the tubingen school. Working preacher is a ministry brought to you by luther seminary. Pauls epistle to philemon is one of the few books in the nt whose authenticity has hardly ever been doubted. In the first century, letters were often very short. This letter to philemon is an appeal for him to receive onesimus now as a brother in christ, and for him to forgive onesimus if he had done any wrong 1521. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
Slavery was widespread in the roman empire according to some estimates. Peter obrien, philemon, word biblical commentary, pp. The book of philemon is a letter written by the apostle paul while in prison, to philemon in regards to his slave, onesimus. Philemon was the master of onesimus, a runaway slave. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. 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 title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. In the bible book that bears philemons name, paul addressed his beloved. Summary of philemon 1 paul introduces himself, noting that he is a prisoner of christ jesus.
The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. Philemon commentary john gills exposition of the bible. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or. Onesimus, a slave in colossae, had evidently robbed philemon, his master verse 18, and run away.
Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is. This is because of the information in the book concerning onesimus who had comforted paul while he was in prison philemon 1. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. 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. Summary of the book of philemon author, date and place of writing recipient, background and purpose now he was willing to return to his master, and paul writes this personal appeal to ask that he be accepted as a christian brother see v. Forgiveness shines like a brilliant light throughout the bible, and one of its brightest spots is the tiny book of philemon. During his flight, onesimus encountered paul in rome, and through his ministry came to faith in christ. 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.
196 346 738 842 1605 1113 227 826 407 1458 1180 171 287 298 153 106 409 1493 932 1031 1563 189 5 1279 762 979 1177 987 1336 80 526 254 1357 1442 956 1470 1475 788 1192 1440 203 1077 887 1306 423 1079