Frankly, i believe that paul had no idea his letter to philemon would be. Home bible studies philemon studies overview of philemon these small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. 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. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible.
Vernon mcgee taking the whole word to the whole world. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his. 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. They would simply live christian lives and wait for the leavening teaching of.
It is first a primary history source for roman history in the first century. Tom constables expository notes on philemon this is also available in the net. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in christ. 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. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. 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 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. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action.
Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ. Paul was writing philemon as a brother in christ and now. What he meant is truethat this little book beautifully illustrates the salvation that every believer enjoys. The letter to philemon is a brilliant affirmation of christian ethics. An introduction to the book of philemon an argument of the book of philemon a selected bibliography of colossians and philemon daniel b. Most people seem to mainly focus on the restitution of onesimus to philemon, but theres a lot more to it than that. Moule, colossian and philemon studies christian literature crusade, pp.
In time, as onesimus grew in the faith through pauls teaching, he realized. What he meant is truethat this little book beautifully illustrates the. All donations are tax deductible in full or in part. The last of pauls authentic letters is the letter to philemon. More insights from your bible study get started with logos bible software. Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth that.
Lifechange lifechange bible studies will help you grow in christlikeness through a lifechanging encounter with gods word. Sadly, many misconstrue this to say that paul condones slavery but that is not even in the context of the book of philemon. This is one of the most remarkable epistles in the scripture. Philemon in the picture study bible the book of philemon. 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. The book of philemon as well as the book of colossians were written by paul and delivered at the same time. Since colossians was written from rome during pauls first imprisonment 62 ad. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. Onesimus took a chance one day, as any slave would have done, and made a run for it. Study guide for philemon by david guzik blue letter bible.
Copeland hundreds of free sermon outlines and bible study materials available for online browsing and downloading. Philemon, a study guide from the executable outlines series by mark a. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. Nov 12, 2012 as the students study philemon they will combine 2 steps overview, closer look. The bible often is read poorly in our church services. In this letter paul will appeal to philemon regarding a runaway slave who has met jesus and found refuge with paul. 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. Click here to see the next lesson on the book of philemon. 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. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is packed with abiding truths so needed in our modern world.
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. Pauls letter to his christian brother philemon gives us a. The letter, rather, is a personal missive sent from paul to a friend in colossae. Full list order for the books of the bible with introductions and summaries including both the old and new testament. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Lessons learned from philemon simple bible studies. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Unlike most of pauls letters, his letter to philemon has little directly to do with christian doctrine or the pastoral care of believers. Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse. There were millions of people in asia minor, and philemon was just one of the men who came to know the lord jesus. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus.
There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19. 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. 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 book of philemon may be short, but its 25 verses pack a powerful spiritual punch. Unfortunately, in many churches public reading of the bible is little more than homiletical throat clearing before the sermon. The epistle is addressed to philemon, with the church in his house, and to sister apphia and archippus. The epistle was intended for philemon, who may have been an elder in the church at colossae. 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. After his dramatic conversion on the road to damascus, pauls singular purpose was to prove that jesus is the christ acts 9. He did what most runaway slaves apparently didhe moved into a great metropolis. Bible reading offers the widest scope for the enrichment of public worship, and it is a great pity. Filled with a wealth of ideas for going deeper so you can return to this study again and again.
Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. Paul was imprisoned in rome when he wrote this personal. Study all bible books online in over 50 translations. The epistle shows that he was a believing christian and an esteemed acquaintance of the apostle. In the bible book that bears philemon s name, paul addressed his beloved brother as a fellow worker, a title given to those who served for a time alongside paul. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library.
Now philemon owned slaves, and he had a slave named onesimus. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. Pauls friendship with philemon is shown by something significantly missing in his greeting. The letter from paul to philemon was of a very personal nature. 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. Philemon, the main recipient of the letter, was a wealthy man from colossae. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. This is the earliest known fragment of the epistle to philemon. Epistle to philemon read the bible online bible study tools.
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