Here is the matter both of his praises and prayers, in reference to philemon. Onesimus is a brother in gods family and philemon loves him very much. The book of philemon is a letter written by the apostle paul while in. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. I must say that before now, i cant say that i was greatly enriched by this little book. Summary of philemon 1 paul introduces himself, noting that he is a prisoner of christ jesus. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. Working preacher is a ministry brought to you by luther seminary.
The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Epistle of paul the apostle to philemon, epistle to philemon. Read philemon commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. Literary analysis of pauls letter to philemon an analysis of pauls use of poetic devices to appeal to philemons conscience by scott redd. One day two travelers showed up at their shack and poverty casa paupertatemque they did not know that the guests were actually mortal mortali forms of jupiter and mercury, but as baucis and philemon were a very kind and pious pia couple, they invited the travelers inside. In these final words, paul reminds philemon that god has loved him freely. Thus paul deemed it right to return onesimus to philemon. And we are writing to the christians who meet in your house. 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. Philemon is a perfect example of what ancient letters were typically like in the grecoroman world. Philemon is a wealthy member of the church at colossae. Study the bible online using commentary on philemon and more. So must we remember christian friends much and often, as their case may need, bearing them in our thoughts and upon our hearts before our god. Colossians, philemon the niv application commentary book 12.
Osborne brings out the riches of the new testament, making each book accessible for pastors and all who consider themselves students of scripture. In fact, to be a little more honest, i had said to my brother that there is nothing. Paul introduces himself, noting that he is a prisoner of christ jesus. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian. Philemon a new testament book containing an epistle from saint paul to philemon asking philemon to forgive the slave for escaping. The working preacher team believes that god uses good biblical preaching to change lives. 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. 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. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness.
This section also suggests that philemon had provided financial assistance to paul in the past philemon 1. 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. The book of philemon is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. Philemon synonyms, philemon pronunciation, philemon translation, english dictionary definition of philemon.
The epistle is addressed to philemon, with the church in his house, and to sister apphia and archippus. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. The meaning, origin and history of the given name philemon. Philemon commentary john gills exposition of the bible. The letter from paul to philemon was of a very personal nature. Colossians, philemon the niv application commentary book. Bible explained bible commentary study of each verse in. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Colossians and philemon zondervan exegetical commentary. Lessons learned from philemon simple bible studies. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Its written to philemon whose slave onesimus ran away and became a believer under pauls teaching.
The book of philemon niv audio holy bible high quality. Osborne new testament commentaries 9781577997368 by grant r. Philemon 1, new international version niv the bible app. The epistle shows that he was a believing christian and an esteemed acquaintance of the apostle. Pauls friendship with philemon is shown by something significantly missing in his greeting. Go to the bottom of that page to see the index chapters, which are hot links.
Philemon 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. Paul confesses his regular prayers for philemon, and compliments him on his love, faith, and willingness to share his faith. 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. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. Letter from paul to philemon, paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and timothy our brother, unto philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon. The apostles joy and praise for philemon s steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. 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. Dec, 20 the book of philemon is a letter written by the apostle paul while in prison, to philemon in regards to his slave, onesimus. 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. Philemon 1721 niv so if you consider me a partner, bible.
Colossians and philemon zondervan exegetical commentary on the new testament book 12 kindle edition by pao, david w. The epistle of of paul to philemon from the holy bible new international version niv book 57 please note we have increased the volume and the pitch of the audio for a clearer sound, so. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. For personal study, i suggest you start at the beginning of a chapter or book. The book of philemon is a letter written by the apostle paul while in prison, to philemon in regards to his slave, onesimus. Slavery was widespread in the roman empire according to some estimates, slaves constituted one third, perhaps more, of the population, and an accepted. 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 book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. We know from this letter, that philemon was probably a man who had some wealth. Sep 18, 2018 fastingsimple explanation and guide out soon out soonhow to be a blessing to your church. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. The names to which we refer are philemon, apphia, archippus, and onesimus.
Recommended sites bible info questions with answers in major world languages. Unto philemon our dearly beloved there is a peculiarity in the use of proper names in this epistle which is not found in any other part of st. The apostles joy and praise for philemons steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. According to the majority interpretation, paul wrote this letter on behalf of onesimus, a runaway slave who had wronged his owner philemon. Onesimus was still the property of philemon, and paul wrote to smooth the way for his return to his master. Some scholars have posited that apphia must have been a close relation to philemon since she is mentioned directly after he is, 6 but this position cannot be adopted dogmatically.
Philemon provides valuable historical insights into the early churchs relationship to the institution of slavery. Read your own bible, the bible as quoted on this site, and my comments. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. Also, paul asks philemon to accept onesimus as a fellow christian rather than as a slave. Philemon a new testament book containing an epistle. Colossians and philemon zondervan exegetical commentary on. Philemon definition of philemon by the free dictionary. When a chapter or section is finished, you will see at the bottom of the page over the links, go to the next section. Meaning, origin and history of the name philemon behind.
Pauls epistle to philemon is one of the few books in the nt whose authenticity has hardly ever been doubted. His slave, onesimus, has stolen something from him 18 and run away. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. Fastingsimple explanation and guide out soon out soonhow to be a blessing to your church.
Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary shmoop. Tychicus was given the responsibility of carrying pauls letter from rome to the colossians, and onesimus evidently traveled back with him col. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. They did not have much, but loved each other greatly. Paul mentions his own name three times in this his shortest. Could the common view of onesimus as a runaway, thieving slave be wrong. The letter to philemon tackles the personal issue of the rift between the slave onesimus and his master philemon, with the hope that latter will receive back his runaway slave not only as a member of his.
Philemon 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. Onesimus later meets paul and becomes a christian 10. Philemon was the master of onesimus, a runaway slave. Can this short letter be viewed from different perspectives. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. But paul realized that onesimus had a responsibility to philemon and should make restitution for his thievery. You can find the best commentary on philemon for you using the tools on the right side. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. One of pauls shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of philemon demonstrates the gospel through action. Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth that truly reward the serious bible student. In pauls day, slavery had virtually eclipsed free labor. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority.
He was the common friend of the parties at variance. By using this website, i acknowledge that i am 16 years of age or older, and i agree to the terms and. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Philemon 125 friendship, forgiveness, reputation discussion questions 1.
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. David guzik commentary on pauls letter to philemon, which is a plea to his friend. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. During the time of pauls ministry in ephesus, philemon had likely journeyed to the city, heard pauls preaching and became a christian. At least he had a nice home, and it was believed it was large enough that the church had been held in his home. 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. He thanks god for the love which he heard philemon had towards the lord jesus.
He then moves to his point, saying he has a request, again reminding them that he is an old man and a prisoner of christ. Timothy is the brother of both paul and of the recipient of this letter but not in the physical literal sense. We are writing to philemon our fellow worker and friend, whom we love very much. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary galatians. Jun 04, 2015 the epistle of of paul to philemon from the holy bible new international version niv book 57 please note we have increased the volume and the pitch of the audio for a clearer sound, so. Philemon 1721 new international version niv 17 so if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. Paul reminds philemon that we all have done wrong things. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. He must conciliate a man who supposed that he had good reason to be offended. Paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his escaped former slave onesimus, and shows that they are equals because of jesus. Mention of others in philemon s community also signifies this as a public letter see notes on v. For a broader view look at the comments in the right column. Philemon summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of philemon for bible study or sunday school lessons.
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