Philemon 125 this letter seems to be a personal letter, but of its divine inspiration there can be no doubt. 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 demonstrates the gospel in action. The letter of paul to philemon, brief new testament letter written by paul the apostle to a. For a very small book in the new testament, and one that can easily be overlooked, the book of philemon offers some very practical applications to everyday life. Although the book of philemon is about sin, forgiveness, salvation, love, validation, inspiration, grace is amongst all. So if you have your bibles with you today, open up to the book of philemon. Paul declares himself to actually be the author in this short, one chapter book of philemon. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly scripture encouragement to share with family and friends. Gospel writers mark and luke also received this title later in the letter 1. Author and date the book claims that the apostle paul was its writer vv. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon.
Now i suspect that philemon may be a difficult book for you to find. Librivox recording of the book of philemon from the world english bible. To ask philemon of colossae to not only pardon his slave onesimus, but to give him a warm welcome as a fellow believer. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. No other book so eloquently defines christ as high priest of christianity, superior to the aaronic priesthood, and the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. The holy bible book 57 philemon kjv dramatized audio.
The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. The ending of the book of philemon in the king james version seems to indicate that onesimus, a servant wrote the book. Onesimus was still the property of philemon, and paul wrote to. It appears that he was a slave holder before he was saved. 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 is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of philemon in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Working through 25 lessons, readers will better understand who christ is and who they are in him. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. Then, a runaway slave begs paul to ask his christian master for mercy.
Furthermore, it has close ties with colossians, where onesimus is mentioned as one of you col 4. 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. After his dramatic conversion on the road to damascus, pauls singular purpose was to prove that jesus is the christ acts 9. The opening verse of the salutation also names timothy alongside paul. The epistle to philemon a model of christian courtesy 1. But were talking about an ancient roman prison where you can use all the help you can get.
Intro to philemon biblica the international bible society. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon. The three main characters in the epistlepaul, onesimus, and philemonall display andor are asked to practice kingdom principles in daily life. And an admirable recipe paperback by jonathan swift and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. Philemon intro to philemon biblica the international bible society. Philemons slave onesimus run away and came to paul and sought refuge. Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian.
Written to philemon, an affluent christian in the city of colossae, located in modernday southwestern turkey. To ask philemon of colossae to pardon his slave onesimus. This, however, does not mean that timothy was the epistles co author. That book is pauls epistle to philemon, the shortest of all of pauls letters 3. There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19. Paul wanted philemon to accept onesimus as a brother in christ the letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the who was the author of the book of phile. So, thats one author of this book paul, the prisoner of jesus christ. Chapter 8 introduction to philemon authorship the book claims to be by paul vv. In this short personal letter, the apostle paul asks his friend philemon to extend forgiveness to a runaway slave named onesimus. Today, as we look at the book of philemon, we are going to see forgiveness in action. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. There is little debate that the author of philemon is the apostle paul. Pauls epistle to philemon is one of the few books in the nt whose authenticity has hardly ever been doubted.
The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. 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. A poem on the everlamented loss of the two yewtrees, in the parish of chilthorne, near the counttown of somerset together with mrs harris s earnest petition. Introduction to the epistle to philemon pauls epistle to philemon is the shortest of all his letters and is one of the most personal of all his letters, if not the most personal. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. Ephesians philippians colossians philemon is pauls only one chapter book. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. 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. This is the holy book of philemon, known as the epistle of paul to philemon. 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. The letter to philemon the new international commentary. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his.
The apostle paul and timothy directly named in philemon 1. One of his slaves, onesimus, had apparently stolen from him cf. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. There is a book in the new testament which has been described as. Philemon is a perfect example of what ancient letters were typically like in the grecoroman world. This, however, does not mean that timothy was the epistles coauthor. He apparently wrote both letters from prison in rome, though possibly from ephesus see introduction to philippians. The academy of parish clergys 2018 top five reference books for parish ministry pauls letter to philemon carries a strong message of breaking down social barriers and establishing new realities of conduct and fellowship. Bynum 2009 tabernacle baptist church the doctrine of imputation applied memory verse. Main characters the book of philemon involves three main characters.
The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. First, an old friend brings news that false teachers are belittling christ, laying down rules, and boasting of secret knowledge beyond the gospel. Instead, he regarded it as a secondcentury document which was intended to show the church how to deal with slavery. This man was a member of the colossian church that met in his own home. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Read by leon mire while in prison, paul writes this letter to another christian, philemon. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv. The book of philemon 798 words 4 pages 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. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. Of all the literature in the new testament, philemon is unique since it is the only personal or person to person.
Paul has met with and converted a man named onesimus, probably a runaway slave, and he writes to philemon, onesimuss legal owner, to tell him that he is sending him back. Timothy is the brother of both paul and of the recipient of this letter but not in the physical literal sense. Baurs extreme hegelianism as applied to the nt prevented him from seeing philemon as authentic. Not a modern american prison with room service and all the frills. The recording is dramatized, from the king james bible. Two crises in colosse send visitors to paul in prison. Among its 27 books are selected recollections of the life and acts and sayings of jesus in. 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 letter to philemon the new international commentary on the new testament scot mcknight on.
Paul is strongly affirmed to be the author of philemon. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. The letter of paul to philemon epistle by saint paul britannica. Theologically speaking, scholars generally regard the book of hebrews to be second in importance only to pauls letter to the romans in the new testament. Even though this letter is a brief, personal note to a friend, it shows up in the early. Following i will explain in my own understanding each attribute stated in the book of philemon. To indirectly request of philemon to send onesimus back to paul so that. Philemon 2025 20 yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the lord.
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