Interpretation of the book philemon

The book of philemon has led to varying interpretations. Paul might think him one whom philemon would advise. Exegesis of philemon presented at the chicago conference at st. Onesimus, a slave in colossae, had evidently robbed philemon, his master verse 18, and run away. Philemon 1 commentary greek testament critical exegetical. It is evident from the letter to him that philemon was a man of property and influence, since he is represented as the head of a numerous household, and as exercising an expensive liberality toward his friends and the poor in general. How to study the book of philemon the philemon effect duration. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. The 1 chapter book of philemon is about a runaway slave onesimus being sent back to his master by the suggestion of paul the apostle. 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. This is a book in applied christianity, a textbook of social service. Consequently, paul is not writing to request that onesimus returns to philemon. Philemon 1 commentary philemons relationship to onesimus. Philemon 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, filling six volumes, provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the bible.

The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv. It is difficult to arrive at an interpretation that deals adequately with all these questions, but given the fact that paul stresses what philemon has done for the brothers cf. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. The book of philemons moral vision is that social hierarchies, such as the one between a powerful owner and his powerless slave, are dismantled in christ. Feb 25, 2019 paul is writing an open letter to the home church to which philemon, apphia, and archippus attend. Philemon summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of philemon for bible study or sunday school lessons. The book of philemon the book of philemon forgiveness shines like a brilliant light throughout the bible, and one of its brightest spots is the tiny book of philemon. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary shmoop. A bible commentary for teaching and preaching hardcover 97808042398 by ralph p.

This short letter is a masterpiece of tact and psychology. As with the other books in the series, this is not a wordforword technical commentary. 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. 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 1 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary. It appears that he was a slave holder before he was saved. 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. Philemon was the master of onesimus, a runaway slave.

Paul wrote this letter to philemon, a believer in colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner cf. Jerome in his commentary on the epistle, mentions the. In the bible book that bears philemons name, paul addressed his beloved. Activity read the parts of the letter and let them identify it in the letter 1. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. 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 suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. I have read over 15 books in the interpretation series and the series in general is very solid. The most important characteristic of the book is the wide range of perspectives from which this brief letter of paul is interpreted. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his. One interpretation argues that onesimus, though a slave, was not, in fact, a runaway. The letter is approached from a wide variety of perspectives, thus yielding several new insights into its interpretation. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. Philemon is a perfect example of what ancient letters were typically like in the grecoroman world.

David guzik commentary on pauls letter to philemon, which is a plea to his friend philemon on behalf of a slave named onesimus, who had become a christian. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. Philemon 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, originally published in four parts, is a digest of vatious readings and marginal references. 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. Main characters the book of philemon involves three main characters. In this examination, the author allows pauls voice to be heard again on these important themes. Theodore of mopsuestia on pauls letter to philemon john t. Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse. Although the book of philemon is about sin, forgiveness, salvation, love, validation, inspiration, grace is amongst all. Paul tries to convince philemon to make the right decision. 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.

Interpreting a pauline letter tolmie d francois all the essays in this book are devoted to the interpretation of pauls letter to philemon. The book of philemon is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. This epistle is the story of three main characters, onesimus, philemon and paul and their interaction. Summary of philemon 1 paul introduces himself, noting that he is a prisoner of christ jesus.

Philemon 1, new english translation net the bible app. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. 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 epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. 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. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Paul had explained the gospel to philemon and had witnessed the. 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 household but as a christian brother. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary galatians.

Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. A bible commentary for teaching and preaching kindle edition by martin, ralph p download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Whatever onesimus took from philemon, paul says he will repay verses 1819. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. 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. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. Archippus was a minister in the church of colosse, philemons friend, and probably copastor with him. Its lengthy, packed full of characters, and sometimes difficult to tie into daily life. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church.

It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Preachers and teachers will enjoy the interpretation format that combines solid scholarship with intelligent exposition. Ephesians, colossians and philemon interpretation is easy to get through and written on a very accessible level. 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 is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. In this post, the bible project breaks down the book of philemon into digestible pieces so we can understand and apply its truths. This book is dedicated entirely to the interpretation of pauls letter to philemon.

In this short personal letter, the apostle paul asks his friend philemon to extend forgiveness to a runaway slave named onesimus. Paul had explained the gospel to philemon and had witnessed the profound. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Ephesians philippians colossians philemon is pauls only one chapter book. In a first essay the tendencies in the research on the letter since 1980 are outlined. Onesimus is a brother in gods family and philemon loves him very much. To ask philemon of colossae to pardon his slave onesimus. Although he should have been apprehensive about his own wellbeing, paul is concerned about onesimus, a runaway slave, whose master philemon he appears.

Following i will explain in my own understanding each attribute stated in the book of philemon. Pauls friendship with philemon is shown by something significantly missing in his greeting. Philemon is a man of standing, wealth, and influence who was led to a saving knowledge of christ through paul. One of his slaves, onesimus, had apparently stolen from him cf. According to the majority interpretation, paul wrote this letter on behalf of onesimus, a runaway slave who had wronged his owner philemon. The most important characteristic of the book is the wide range of perspectives from which this brief letter. This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a. A bible commentary for teaching and preaching paperback 9780664238612 by ralph p. The letter from paul to philemon was of a very personal nature. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. A free bible version and commentary on pauls letter to philemon in easyenglish.