Slavery in the bible and the book of philemon fellowship bible. The book was written by the apostle paul while he was in prison around sixty a. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. He may have written down the apostles words as he dictated them to. Onesimus took a chance one day, as any slave would have done, and made a run for it. Questions should be studied by each individual before your discussion group meets. The purpose of the letter was a request regarding onesimus. The epistle to philemon a model of christian courtesy 1. The footnotes are included in the pdf version for downloading. Lessons learned from philemon simple bible studies. Philemon is a perfect example of what ancient letters were typically like in the grecoroman world. 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. Place of writing rome, about the same time the epistle to the colossians was written.
This short letter is a masterpiece of tact and psychology. 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. Explain how paul is reflecting the grace he received from christ in his intercession for. Philemon the slaveowner and onesimus the runaway slave or bondservant had both been reconciled to god through pauls ministry. Onesimus now lives up to the meaning of his name by being a profitable, useful servant of god. Onesimus to philemon, not as a slave, but as a brother, in freedom. The first scripture that will be analyzed is the book of philemon chapter one. But proper exegesis, as distinct from isogesis, looks at the meaning of the.
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 125 this letter seems to be a personal letter, but of its divine inspiration there can be no doubt. Commentary on the book of philemon christian ambassadors, inc 3. Paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our. Ephesians philippians colossians philemon is pauls only one chapter book. Philemon, the name of the christian to whom paul addressed his epistle in behalf of onesimus. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. Constables notes on philemon 2020 edition expressed above. This message is an overview of the book of philemon and part of a 2year study of the bible. Bynum 2009 tabernacle baptist church the doctrine of imputation applied memory verse.
Studying the book of philemon in small group discussions lesson 1 thanksgiving and prayer philemon 1. Onesimus fled to rome where he came in contact with paul and was saved. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy, our brother, philemon 1. Philemon is a man of standing, wealth, and influence who was led to a saving knowledge of christ through paul. Some commentators believed paul wrote this epistle from ephesus. Philemon greetings though paul was a prisoner of rome, he considered his bonds to be a means of furthering christs cause philemon 1, 9, 10, 2223. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. Philemon inductive bible study notes and questions. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority, but as a prisoner of jesus christ, calling.
The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. He regarded this philemon as one who laboured with him in the gospel. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in. Philemon 125 friendship, forgiveness, reputation discussion questions 1. One of pauls shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of philemon demonstrates the gospel through action.
The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. After his dramatic conversion on the road to damascus, pauls singular purpose was to prove that jesus is the christ acts 9. Can this short letter be viewed from different perspectives. Could the common view of onesimus as a runaway, thieving slave be wrong. According to paul, philemon was a christian and slave holder. This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a. Philemon christian forgiveness if then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. Moule, colossian and philemon studies christian literature crusade, pp. 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. He took the disciples with him and had discussion daily in the lecture hall of tyrannus. Philemons slave onesimus had run away after robbing him to seek apostle paul but only to find that paul was imprisoned. In pauls day, slavery had virtually eclipsed free labor. That this is not simply spiritualization, indicating his subjection to the ministry of the gospel, is obvious.
Fee in his book how to read the bible for all its worth lays out the form of ancient. The book of philemon is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. Pdf philemons structure as a ring composition and its implications. Minister, woodland heights christian church, crawfordsville, in no. 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.
This web version of the book of philemon does not contain the footnotes. Its written to philemon whose slave onesimus ran away and became a believer under pauls teaching. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. What he meant is truethat this little book beautifully illustrates the salvation that every believer enjoys. Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible. Onesimus was on an errand to the colossians on behalf of paul, and paul called him a beloved brother colossians 4.
There were millions of people in asia minor, and philemon was just one of the men who came to know the lord jesus. There may be two purposes for paul having written the book of ephesians. Paul does not insist that philemon free onesimus 21. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner.
Philemon, a study in grace overview this is another of the prison epistles, the others being colossians, ephesians, and philippians. Paul is writing an open letter to the home church to which philemon, apphia, and archippus attend. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. Lessons from the book of philemon the book of philemon is one of two books in the new testament with only one chapter. Philemon provides valuable historical insights into the early churchs relationship to the institution of slavery. Paul is writing to philemon requesting him to receive onesimus, a runaway slave, back as a christian brother.
Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon. There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. Philemon is a prison epistle written by paul while in prison at rome during the early 60s a. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. The book of philemon is about a slave onesimus who ran away from his master philemon.
This letter is known as epistle to philemon in the new testament. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. Paul does deal with the issue of brotherly love in philemon vv. Activity read the parts of the letter and let them identify it in the letter 1. Philemon, apphia, archippus, and the church, which was in. Perhaps the greatest of all points paul makes in this book is the fact that it is by grace you have been. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in. This very heart warming letter was written by paul for the purpose of interceding for the runaway. Martin luther wrote, we are all the lords onesimi cited by h. The heart of pauls letter to philemon is the fellowship that comes from reconciliation. 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.
He was a native probably of colosse, or at all events lived in that city when the apostle wrote to him. Paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his escaped former slave onesimus, and shows that they are equals because of jesus. There is a book in the new testament which has been described as. Paul and onesimus both knew the danger the slave faced in returning, since slave owners had absolute authority over their slaves, and often treated them as property rather than as people.
What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. 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. Paul now sends onesimus back to philemon with a letter which asks the master to forgive his former slave who is now his brother in christ. In the letter to philemon paul does not directly take up the issue of slavery. Philemon was a wealthy christian and a minister possibly a bishop of the house. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. Now philemon owned slaves, and he had a slave named onesimus. The book of philemon is the shortest pauline letter. The epistle to philemon introduction author paul, the apostle of jesus christ 1,9,19. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. 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 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.
He did what most runaway slaves apparently didhe moved into a great metropolis. It is deeply important that we seek to search into the meaning. Paul was imprisoned in rome when he wrote this personal. He is known as a saint by several christian churches along with his wife apphia.
Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of philemon. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. It also seems probable that philemon was one of pauls converts from the time he spent in ephesus. That book is pauls epistle to philemon, the shortest of all of pauls letters 3. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. Whatever onesimus took from philemon, paul says he will repay verses 1819.
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