Philemon was an inhabitant of colosse, a person of some note and wealth, and a convert under the ministry of st. It consists of only one chapter that was written by paul while he was in jail. To indirectly request of philemon to send onesimus back to paul so that. This short letter is a masterpiece of tact and psychology. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Jupiter, the roman king of the gods, had heard of the virtuous couple, but based on all his previous experiences. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of philemon. Since colossians was written from rome during pauls first imprisonment 62 ad. By using this website, i acknowledge that i am 16 years of age or older, and i agree to the terms and conditions and.
The depiction of philemon as a spirit guide comes from the writings of carl jungs red book, or liber novus. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Jupiter, the roman king of the gods, had heard of the virtuous couple, but based on all his previous experiences with humans, he had serious doubts as to their goodness. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary galatians. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Almost everyone agrees that letter was written by the saint paul to philemon. The apostles joy and praise for philemons steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. The apostle paul was in rome preaching in his own hired house. 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. To indirectly request of philemon to send onesimus back to paul so that he can go on helping paul as he had already begun to do. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Philemon was the master of onesimus, a runaway slave. Philemon is a perfect example of what ancient letters were typically like in the grecoroman world.
Now i suspect that philemon may be a difficult book for you to find. So if you have your bibles with you today, open up to the book of philemon. The letter of paul to philemon epistle by saint paul britannica. Once we have an informed understanding of slavery in the ancient world we. 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.
In this short personal letter, the apostle paul asks his friend philemon to extend forgiveness to a runaway slave named onesimus. The apostles joy and praise for philemon s steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. According to ancient roman mythology and ovids metamorphoses 8. Diarmaid macculloch, in his a history of christianity, described the epistle as a christian foundation document in the justification of slavery. It is striking that paul comments on how onesimus might have acted on philemons behalf, even though philemon was a master who had slaves to serve him. One of pauls shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of philemon demonstrates the gospel through action. Philemon is an awesome story of community, redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a.
Among its 27 books are selected recollections of the life and acts and sayings of jesus in the four gospels. Whatever onesimus took from philemon, paul says he will repay verses 1819. This is a personal letter from the apostle paul to philemon, a wealthy christian from colossae. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. Paul wrote this letter to the slave owner philemon regarding onesimus, a slave who had robbed his master and run away from him. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. Philemons slave onesimus run away and came to paul and sought refuge.
Philemon chapter 1 is a brief letter from the apostle paul to philemon. Pauls letter to philemon historical background kingdom. Intro to philemon biblica the international bible 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. Throughout the next four weeks, well be studying the book of philemon. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his. Study in philemon by edgar pierce exposing the word. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. Paul to a christian living in the area of colossae and included as a book in the new testament see bible table. Essay on the book of philemon in order to comprehend and gleam the theological insights of philemon, or any biblical scripture, it is imperative that, at least, a basic understanding of the historical and cultural principles be present in the mind of the reader.
Paul urged philemon to receive onesimus no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a. The book of philemon author of the book of philemon. Philemon definition is a friend and probable convert of the apostle paul. 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. Background study on the book of philemon christopher l. Titus philemon hebrews 1 all the books in the bible pauls greeting to philemon paul began this letter by greeting philemon, a wealthy householder. Activity read the parts of the letter and let them identify it in the letter 1. One of the most important things to understand about philemon the is background of slavery in the ancient world.
It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. Jan, 2014 philemon is an awesome story of community, redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. As a reward, they were saved from a flood that drowned the rest of the country. Onesimus made it to rome, where paul was imprisoned at the. The book claims that the apostle paul was its writer vv. Paul clearly writes as a prisoner in philemon 1,9,10,23. The book of philemon is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. Philemon is an important recurring character in the shin megami tensei. Onesimus took a chance one day, as any slave would have done, and made a run for it. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary shmoop. It appears that he was a slave holder before he was saved.
The epistle was intended for philemon, who may have been an elder in the church at colossae. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. 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. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. Fee in his book how to read the bible for all its worth lays out the form of. Philemon is actually the average length of ancient letters. 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.
Paul wrote this letter to philemon, a believer in colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner cf. Once we have an informed understanding of slavery in the ancient world we will be able to make better sense out of what paul is writing to philemon regarding his slave and christian brother onesimus. One of his slaves, onesimus, had apparently stolen from him cf. 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 epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian. This attitude models the concern for the good of others that paul has seen in philemon previously v. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation.
It is one of the prison epistles, along with ephesians, philippians, and colossians. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. The book is unique for the social impact it has exercised. Martin luther wrote, we are all the lords onesimi cited by h. He is often depicted as a young man wearing a butterfly mask, but appears in later games only in the guise of a butterfly. Please help me send bibles to poor people throughout the world.
Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible. It is the shortest of pauls letters, consisting of only 335 words in the greek text. This is especially true when speaking about southern history and culture, and also whenever people are talking about the american civil war or war for southern independence, as some people want it called. To ask philemon of colossae to not only pardon his slave onesimus, but to give him a warm welcome as a fellow believer. Essay on analysis of the book of philemon christianity. The epistle to philemon is the fiftyseventh book in the christian bible, and the eighteenth in the new testament. The epistle to philemon is one of apostle pauls prison letters, and is also the shortest of all the pauline epistles. 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. Support link the new testament contains a short book called philemon. Philemon and baucis, in greek mythology, a pious phrygian couple who hospitably received zeus and hermes when their richer neighbours turned away the two gods, who were disguised as wayfarers. Apr 11, 2019 forgiveness shines like a brilliant light throughout the bible, and one of its brightest spots is the tiny book of philemon. The book of philemon is as several authors have said, like looking over the shoulder of philemon as he reads his personal mail.
Bartsch, 2 b3 pauls desire to put onesimus to work in the ministry 1214 c1 his having sent onesimus back to philemon despite his emotional attachment to the slave 12 c2 his prior resolve to keep onesimus. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness. 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. What he meant is truethat this little book beautifully illustrates the salvation that every believer enjoys. 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. Today, as we look at the book of philemon, we are going to see forgiveness in action. Paul is strongly affirmed to be the author of philemon. He did what most runaway slaves apparently didhe moved into a great metropolis. Paul urged philemon to receive onesimus no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a brother beloved v. The apostle paul introduces himself as a prisoner of jesus christ. Moule, colossian and philemon studies christian literature crusade, pp. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1.
Forgiveness shines like a brilliant light throughout the bible, and one of its brightest spots is the tiny book of philemon. Now he indicates that he has subordinated his personal wishes to the good of philemon, so that philemon might have an opportunity to do a good act to agathon sou freely. Sep 28, 2009 one of the most important things to understand about philemon the is background of slavery in the ancient world. Its been described as the application of the highest principles to the most common affairs, but at the time it happened it was just two people at odds with each other being reconciled by a common love for the lord. Background commentary on the book of philemon regarding cultural and historical evidence. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. It has been said that no document in the history of the world has so altered humanitys attitude toward the institution of slavery as has this letter. Epistle to philemon simple english wikipedia, the free. Paul has clearly and fully expressed his desire to keep onesimus. During the time of pauls ministry in ephesus, philemon had likely journeyed to the city, heard pauls preaching and became a christian.
Jan 17, 2019 the purpose expressed by hina, in order that of pauls desire is that onesimus might serve diakone paul on philemons behalf hyper sou. Its written to philemon whose slave onesimus ran away and became a believer under pauls teaching. The book of philemon as well as the book of colossians were written by paul and delivered at the same time. But onesimus met paul and through his ministry became a christian see v. Onesimus was still the property of philemon, and paul wrote to smooth the way for his return to his master. There were millions of people in asia minor, and philemon was just one of the men who came to know the lord jesus. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. To ask philemon of colossae to pardon his slave onesimus. The letters paul writes like romans and corinthians are extremely long for ancient letters. Philemon intro to philemon biblica the international bible society. This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a.
The slave onesimus robbed his master, philemon, and ran away, making his way to rome and to paul. Ephesians philippians colossians philemon is pauls only one chapter book. Summary of the book of philemon story of the bible. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. 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. It was also intended for reading to the entire church that met in philemons home.