The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Rome, about the same time the epistle to the colossians was written. Philemon might have considered onesimus escape to be a great injustice, but paul offers a different perspective. The epistle shows that he was a believing christian and an esteemed acquaintance of the apostle. As such it differs greatly from the epistles paul must have written approximately at the same time, philippians, ephesians and colossians. The consensus among biblical scholars is that the recipient of the letter, philemon, was a man of means who lived in the city of colossae in asia minor. Colossians, ephesians, and philippians 5 what church possibly met in philemon s home. Paul also reminds philemon that philemon was a sinner. This is the earliest known fragment of the epistle to philemon.
A majority of scholars think that paul writes to philemon from either ephesus or. Paul wrote this letter in order to ask philemon toaccept onesimus back into his household. Written by paul, philemon is the 18th book of the bible 1178 words 5 pages. While on the run, onesimus met paul, hears the gospel, and accepts christ. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. The two main characters in this story are philemon and onesimus, for the book itself is shaped around paul appealing to philemon to accept onesimus back as a beloved brother 16c. If the roman hypothesis is accepted, then it is likely that paul wrote philemon early 12 in his first roman imprisonment i. Paul was writing philemon as a brother in christ about his slave, onesimus, and now that onesimus had trusted in christ, paul wanted philemon to consider him as a brother in christ. To ask philemon of colossae to pardon his slave onesimus. After revealing the authors of philemon as well as the recipients, paul goes on to utter his oftrepeated greeting in philemon 1. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of philemon information useful to understand before a study of the letters contents slavery in the grecoroman world one of the most important things to understand about philemon is the background of slavery in the ancient world. Philemon apphia, archippus, and the church in philemons house 16.
Philemon the letter to philemon is the shortest of the pauline epistles. Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. Within the american bible, the 57th book is entitled philemon, being the eighteenth book of the new testament canon1. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon.
A runaway slave that had belonged to philemon 7 what was pauls purpose in writing this epistle. 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. It is addressed, not to a church, although a church is mentioned, but to a person, philemon. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Paul was in rome, italy, at the time where he was a prisoner of.
Although onesimus was converted, his responsibility to his master, philemon was not eliminated. It was written around 62 ad whilst paul was imprisoned in rome. Philemons slave onesimus run away and came to paul and sought refuge. The letter is addressed to philemon, an old friend of pauls who he had converted during his time at colosse. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. Philemon was written by the apostle paul in approximately 60 62 a. In colossians, paul mentions the faithful and beloved brother, onesimus col.
Philemon the book of philemon, in the bible, is a letter written by the apostle paul to philemon, a slave owner. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. The letter itself is written for the benefit of the church and was mean to be read by the church. Most of the people mentioned in this letter for example, apphia, archipus, and others, including philemon and onesimus, are also mentioned in colossians, a fact which implies a close relationship between the two letters. Philemon definition is a friend and probable convert of the apostle paul. Paul, the apostle of jesus christ 1,9,19 place of writing. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of philemon in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. This is a personal letter from the apostle paul to philemon, a wealthy christian from colossae.
Paul, the apostle of jesus christ phm 1,9,19 place of writing. Within the american bible, the 57th book is entitled philemon, being. Since paul composed the letter to philemon at the same time that he produced one for the colossians, paul dispatched the two letters together, with onesimus and tychicus as messengers. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian.
Fragments of the epistle to philemon verses 15 on papyrus 87 gregoryaland, from ca. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. This is a concern of paul and a reason he is writing to philemon, asking that philemon accept onesimus back in a bond of friendship. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. Philemon intro to philemon biblica the international bible society. The first i is short, the e sounds like ay and the o is short. Paul says this to persuade philemon to do the right thing. This letter is a personal appeal by the apostle to philemon, a fellow brother in christ to forgive and restore. 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 letter of paul to philemon, brief new testament letter written by paul the apostle to a wealthy christian of. Like many people who lived in the roman empire, philemon was a slave owner.
In the ancient world it was somewhat typical for an author to write for himself personal correspondence, leaving more general treatises to his secretary to pen. Like the epistle to the colossians, the epistle to philemon was written when paul was in chains phm 1,10,23. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. The book of philemon, in the bible, is a letter written by the apostle paul to philemon, a slave owner. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls. Apparently, onesimus stole from his master then ran away to rome where he met paul and became a believer. The book of philemon is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1.
In addition, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eyewitnesses of christ jesus 2. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority. Use this topic or order a custom research paper, written exactly how you need it to be. The historical and cultural context of the book of philemon 896 words 4 pages. In his letter to philemon, paul, who wrote from rome, informed philemon, a church leader of collosae in asia minor, about one onesimus, a runaway slave, whom.
The book of acts also says that paul was in prison in rome. It was also intended for reading to the entire church that met in philemons home. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. After his dramatic conversion on the road to damascus, pauls singular purpose was to prove that jesus is the christ acts 9. Perhaps nowhere in the new testament does the old testament come into focus more than in the book of hebrews, which has as its foundation the levitical priesthood. The book of philemon is a letter written by the apostle paul while in prison, to philemon in regards to his slave, onesimus. Written by paul, philemon is the 18th book of the bible. Paul was imprisoned in rome when he wrote this personal. There are three main characters paul, philemon, and onesimus that paul himself used to focus on the important doctrine of the believer in christ. Grace to you, and peace, from god our father and the lord jesus christ. That book is pauls epistle to philemon, the shortest of all of pauls letters 3.
Its written to philemon whose slave onesimus ran away and became a believer under pauls teaching. It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle and timothy to the church in colossae, a small phrygian city near laodicea and approximately 100 miles 160 km from ephesus in asia minor. Written by paul, philemon is the 18th book of the bible essay example 1177 words 5 pages. Sadly, many misconstrue this to say that paul condones slavery but that is not even in the context of the book of philemon. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. The letter of paul to philemon epistle by saint paul britannica. In order to better comprehend the concepts depicted in the book of philemon it is important to gain an understanding of its historical and cultural context. Missing is pauls customary salutation common to his other works. Previous index next the epistle to philemon introduction to philemon author. Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible.
Jan 02, 2020 it is the superiority of our lord jesus, then, that remains the theme of this eloquently written letter. Hence, at the end of the letter, the added subscription reads. The epistle is addressed to philemon, with the church in his house, and to sister apphia and archippus. Philemon is one of four letters paul wrote from prison.
There is a book in the new testament which has been described as. Philemon is a letter requesting forgiveness of a slave that ran. The epistle of philemon was written by the apostle paul while imprisoned in rome. For one thing, slavery is not even in the context of the book of philemon. To ask philemon of colossae to not only pardon his slave onesimus, but to give him a warm welcome as a fellow believer. The apostle wrote this letter to philemon, asking philemon to reinstate onesimusthis time as a dear brother v. So, we have to gather our facts about this man from this short book that bears his name. A workplace application of the theme of mutuality is alluded to in colossians and discussed in pauls letter to philemon, the shortest book of the bible. The other three are ephesians, philippians, and colossians.
Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. 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. The point is each of these letters in the new testament are easily applicable to our lives, except philemon. This shows that john mark was fully restored in his relationship and partnership with the apostle paul. One of his slaves, onesimus, had escaped and converted to christianityand paul wrote an impassioned plea to philemon to welcome onesimus back as a brother in christ, and to release him from slavery.
The writer to the hebrews constantly compares the inadequacies. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon. 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. Instead of a masterslave relationship, it should now be a brotherly relationship. 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 was written by the apostle paul during his roman imprisonment. Since marks death was in alexandria in ad 62, the book of philemon was obviously written before then. 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. The book of philemon was actually written onbehalf of another person. 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. Written from rome to philemon, by means of onesimus, a servant. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. Both are introduced as coming from both paul and timothy.
One of pauls shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of philemon demonstrates the gospel through action. And so, what does the apostle paul say about this man philemon in this book written to him. Pauls plea to philemon to receive and treat converted escaped slave with kindness. This was the third ephesians, colossians, philemon, philippians of the prison epistles, so called because they were written during pauls first imprisonment in rome which lasted 2 years acts 28. The last i at the end of the word is simply telling us that this letter is being written to this man, so we can drop it out for now, leaving philemon. How to study the book of philemon the philemon effect duration. Philemon is an interesting letter to have been kept in the bible. So, he feels sure that philemon will do the right thing. It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle and timothy to the church in colossae, a small phrygian city near laodicea and approximately 100 miles 160 km from ephesus in asia minor scholars have increasingly questioned pauls authorship and attributed the letter to an. Paul and philemon may have had what is known as a patronclient relationship. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. Paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his escaped former slave onesimus, and shows that they are equals because of jesus. Although paul could command philemon to do so, he urges him instead, hoping that philemon will be willing without coercion.
The thirteenth, and last, of pauls epistles, and the eighteenth book in the new testament, is philemon. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Most of the letters were written to a community of believers, which makes sense to have for us now to read and benefit from them. The letter to philemon tells us that onesimus was the slave of a christian named philemon philem. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. Gospel writers mark and luke also received this title later in the letter 1. Paul to a christian living in the area of colossae and.
In this short personal letter, the apostle paul asks his friend philemon to extend forgiveness to a runaway slave named onesimus. It appears that he was a slave holder before he was saved. The letter from paul to philemon was of a very personal nature. Paul knows he could simply order philemon to free onesimus, but instead he chooses to challenge philemon to do the right thing of his own volition. 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. Paul, the writer of the letter, wrote this scripture as a letter format to his christian brother, philemon. Well, hes actually not mentioned anywhere in scripture outside of this epistle. Dec, 20 the book of philemon is a letter written by the apostle paul while in prison, to philemon in regards to his slave, onesimus. Colossians has some interesting overlap with philemon.