After his dramatic conversion on the road to damascus, pauls singular purpose was to prove that jesus is the christ acts 9. Philemon synonyms, philemon pronunciation, philemon translation, english dictionary definition of philemon. He was brought to a knowledge of the gospel through the instrumentality of paul 19, and held a prominent place in the christian community for his piety and beneficence 47. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. Nathaniel hawthorne repeated the story of baucis and philemon in the miraculous pitcher, a story in a wonder book for girls and boys, 1851. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness. Appeal for forgiveness click chart to enlarge charts from jensens survey of the nt used by permission another overview chart philemon. Philemon was an inhabitant of colosse, a person of some note and wealth, and a convert under the ministry of st. The definition of onesimus is profitable or useful. The book of philemon was written in approximately a.
Its purpose is to teach forgiveness and acceptance. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. Philemon 1, new english translation net the bible app. Some commentators surmise that apphia may have been philemons wife and archippus their son, but here at abarim publications we find it doubtful that paul would use his churchhosting. The apostles joy and praise for philemon s steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary shmoop. Philemon was converted through pauls ministry, as also was archippus, his son, and apphia his wife.
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. By eschatology we mean a fact pertaining to last thingseternal issues. Philemon was the recipient of one of paul s epistles in the new testament. Philemon tpt from paul, a prisoner of the anointed bible. Unto philemon our dearly beloved there is a peculiarity in the use of proper names in this epistle which is not found in any other part of st. 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. Nov 16, 2019 the meaning, origin and history of the given name philemon. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. Epistle of paul the apostle to philemon, epistle to philemon. This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a. Mar, 2016 the book of philemon is not a book about slavery.
The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Meaning, origin and history of the name philemon behind. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. Onesimus is a brother in gods family and philemon loves him very much. In order to better appreciate the book of philemon, it is. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly scripture encouragement to share with family and friends. The book of philemon is a masterpiece of grace, tact, and love.
Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary galatians. The heart of pauls letter to philemon is the fellowship that comes from reconciliation. Philemon was the recipient of one of pauls epistles in the new testament. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. Pauls letter to philemon is the eighteenth book in the new testament. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. 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 tries to convince philemon to make the right decision. Its like this letter was only added because we knew paul wrote it. Also, paul asks philemon to accept onesimus as a fellow christian rather than as a slave.
Pauls instruction here provides the biblical definition of forgiveness, without. The book of philemon is constructed as a letter from paul, addressed to philemon, who was one of pauls friends. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by. The main character in the book is a man by the name of onesimus.
Philemon definition is a friend and probable convert of the apostle paul. Philemon 125 niv paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and. Paul is sending onesimus back to philemon not to be his slave, but to assist him in his work to spread faith in the protagonist. 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. Information about philemon in the dictionary, synonyms and antonyms. Among the converts of paul, perhaps while at ephesus, was one whom. The name philemon occurs only once in the bible, namely in the opening line of the book that bears his name. As the shortest of pauls letters 335 words, it is situated at the end of the pauline corpus, which has been traditionally arranged not by date but from the longest to the shortest romans through philemon. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. Philemon n h s an inhabitant of colosse, and apparently a person of some note among the citizens colossians 4. Philemon a new testament book containing an epistle from saint paul to philemon asking philemon to forgive the slave for escaping. Whatever onesimus took from philemon, paul says he will repay verses 1819.
This short letter is a masterpiece of tact and psychology. This means that the church or a portion of the church in colosse met in the house of philemon. The apostles joy and praise for philemons steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19.
In my circle of friends, i dont know any who have had this happen to them. 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 is a letter requesting forgiveness of a slave that ran away. The names to which we refer are philemon, apphia, archippus, and onesimus. The new testament refers to all christian as saints philemon 1. 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. It would be hard to imagine a more powerful way to describe the affection between paul and his spiritual son, onesimus. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his. Philemon definition of philemon by the free dictionary. Philemon definition and meaning bible dictionary bible study tools. 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 epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. Philemon 2025 20 yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the lord.
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. After introducing himself as a prisoner of christ jesus and timothy as a brother in christ to philemon, apphia, archippus and the church in philemons house, paul prays that they all might experience grace and peace from god their father and their lord jesus christ. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is. The home to which we now have access is the home of philemon at colosse. Philemon 1, new international version niv the bible app. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority, but as a prisoner of jesus christ, calling. Philemon tpt from paul, a prisoner of the anointed.
Paul clearly writes as a prisoner in philemon 1,9,10,23. Philemon is a letter requesting forgiveness of a slave that ran. Philemon was the master of onesimus, a runaway slave. For we have great joy and consolation timothy and i are greatly rejoiced and comforted. That meant paul wanted philemon to change the relationship between him and onesimus from owner and slave to brother in christ. The book of philemon does not defend slavery october 11, 2012 fred clark. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. Philemon the slaveowner and onesimus the runaway slave or bondservant had both been reconciled to god through pauls ministry.
Paul to a christian living in the area of colossae and included as a book in the new testament see bible table. 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. The book of philemon does not defend slavery fred clark. The book of philemon is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. Nathaniel hawthorne repeated the story of baucis and philemon in the miraculous pitcher, a story in a wonderbook for girls and boys, 1851. Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth that truly. Proper usage and audio pronunciation of the word philemon. Philemon is the 11,850 th most popular name of all time.
Philemon is a perfect example of what ancient letters were typically like in the grecoroman world. Philemon resources commentaries, sermons, illustrations, devotionals see disclaimer. Activity read the parts of the letter and let them identify it in the letter 1. 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. An argument of the book of philemon related media being encouraged by the reports of spiritual effectiveness in philemons life, paul requests of him to graciously receive his runaway slave, onesimus, as a fellow believer and partner in the gospel ministry in accordance with the love that he has shown to other believers and the grace which he. 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. It appears that he was a slave holder before he was saved. Paul confesses his regular prayers for philemon, and compliments him on his love, faith, and willingness to share his faith. Paul also refers to the believers in colossae as saints four times in colossians chapter 1 colossians 1. As a last name philemon was the 39,164 th most popular name in 2010 how many people with the first name philemon have been born in the united states. This section also suggests that philemon had provided financial assistance to paul in the past philemon 1. Philemon a new testament book containing an epistle. 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 book of philemon introductory words it is a wonderful thing to be privileged to enter a home of the first century and see into its workings, at least in part.
Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv. Letter from paul to philemon, paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and timothy our. Some commentators surmise that apphia may have been philemon s wife and archippus their son, but here at abarim publications we find it doubtful that paul would use his churchhosting. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. Paul puts it in the past tense because from philemons perspective when he reads the letter it will, of course, already have been written. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. Philemon definition and meaning collins english dictionary.
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