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. Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth that truly reward the serious bible student. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. This outline of philemon is intended to assist you as you study the bible. These verses state what the story of philemon and onesimus. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible 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. Nov 18, 2015 what is the purpose of the book of philemon. There were millions of people in asia minor, and philemon was just one of the men who came to know the lord jesus. Onesimus, a slave ran away from his master, philemon. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action.
Study guide for philemon by david guzik blue letter bible. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader. An introduction to the book of philemon an argument of the book of philemon a selected bibliography of colossians and philemon. Paul praises philemon for the love he has shown not just to him but to all the believers in that area. This is the only place in the new testament where philemon is. Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian. The book of philemon is considered by most scholars to be a companion letter to his epistle to the colossians. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. The book of philemon offers a powerful case study of brotherly love and the importance of forgiveness and equality within the body of christ.
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. But paul recognized onesimuss duty to his master, so sent him back to philemon, along with tychicus, who carried pauls letter to the. 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. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. The basis for pauls appeal to philemon is the supreme christian virtue of love. Many people evidently came to see paul during his first imprisonment in rome. Paul wrote this letter to philemon, a believer in colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner cf. So as a group decided to start this study using a printed book. The letter, rather, is a personal missive sent from paul to a friend in colossae.
Other books referenced in the bible pseudepigrapha list new testament apocrypha studies synod of hippo textual criticism category. Epistle to philemon read the bible online bible study tools. After clicking register, you will receive an email with a link to verify your account and to complete your registration. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. Filled with a wealth of ideas for going deeper so you can return to this study again and again. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. Thats why we should study the books of colossians and philemon.
Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is. Moule, colossian and philemon studies christian literature crusade, pp. Study guide for philemon by chuck smith blue letter bible. Pauls friendship with philemon is shown by something significantly missing in his greeting. This is the 57th book of the bible and is the first singlechapter book in the new testament. Philemon 1 download lesson notes, powerpoints, audio. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is published by jehovahs witnesses.
Beetham phd, wheaton college is assistant professor of biblical studies at the evangelical. Paul reminded philemon that his life was saved when paul led him to christ, so philemon owed him a favor. This is a bibleseven study philemonprepared by david m. Patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. Unlike most of pauls letters, his letter to philemon has little directly to do with christian doctrine or the pastoral care of believers. May you discover gods character as you read his letter to you. Can this short letter be viewed from different perspectives. The book of philemon may be short, but its 25 verses pack a powerful spiritual punch. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. 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. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of philemon information useful to understand before a study of the letter s contents slavery in the grecoroman world one of the most important things to understand about philemon. The book of philemon is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. Studying the book of philemon in small group discussions lesson 1 thanksgiving and prayer. The holy spirit has included it in the scriptures for a very definite reason.
Audio and manuscripts are available for each lesson. The niv study bible biblica the international bible society. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. The group is enjoying the study and freely discuss the subject matter.
It is first a primary history source for roman history in the first century. Philemon 125 friendship, forgiveness, reputation discussion questions 1. Subsequently, onesimus became a helper to paul verses 12. The nwt study bible is complete with cross references, maps, and an accurate bible dictionary. Paul appealed to philemon on the basis of christian love to welcome back onesimus. This will probably take us several weeks whereas the second study on philemon. Read and study philemon, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary.
Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is packed with abiding truths so needed in our modern world. This 2 part expository study of philemon was preached at flagstaff christian fellowship in 2007. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness. Pauls letter to his christian brother philemon gives us a. The letters to timothy, titus, and philemon the new daily. A tremendous resource for those wanting to study and teach the bible. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. The epistle shows that he was a believing christian and an esteemed acquaintance of the apostle.
In todays article, we will explore the rich historical. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. In the bible book that bears philemon s name, paul addressed his beloved brother as a fellow worker, a title given to those who served for a time alongside paul. In this short personal letter, the apostle paul asks his friend philemon to.
This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. Before you attempt to answer the questions below you should read these chapters in the bible and answer the questions at the end of each chapter found at the. He did what most runaway slaves apparently didhe moved into a great metropolis. The letters to timothy, titus, and philemon the new daily study bible. Before you attempt to answer the questions below you should read these chapters in the bible and answer the questions at the end of each chapter found at the website answer the questions below and then click ok to send your answers. The letters to timothy, titus, and philemon the new daily study bible barclay, william on. The last of pauls authentic letters is the letter to philemon. The epistle is addressed to philemon, with the church in his house, and to sister apphia and archippus.
This website provides the introductions to the books of the bible that are found in the niv study bible. Tom constables expository notes on philemon this is also available in the net. This is the only place in the new testament where philemon is mentioned by name, but we do know that he was a. Forgiveness shines like a brilliant light throughout the bible, and one of its brightest spots is the tiny book of philemon. One of his slaves, onesimus, had apparently stolen from. Includes crossreferences, questions, teaching points, and applications on the book of philemon. He came in contact with paul, who now converted him to the faith. Now philemon owned slaves, and he had a slave named onesimus. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In his letter paul carefully pointed out to philemon that the one he was sending back was not just a slave. 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. The bible knowledge commentary says onesimus, a slave of philemon, had run away, having evidently.
Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly scripture encouragement to share with family and friends. Copeland hundreds of free sermon outlines and bible study materials available for online browsing and downloading. Home 1 study the bible 2 book by book 3 new testament 4 philemon. Could the common view of onesimus as a runaway, thieving slave be wrong. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible. Its a little book that can get lost between the giants on either side, yet it has a powerful message. Introductions vary in length and reflect both the nature of the material itself and the strengths and interests of contributing editors. This 12week practical study series from crossway orients the student to the near and far context, key questions, gospel glimpses, whole bible connections, and theological and practical implications for every section of the books of colossians and philemon. Philemon, a study guide from the executable outlines series by mark a. This is because of the information in the book concerning onesimus who had comforted paul while he was in prison philemon. 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. Materials may be copied and used for bible study purposes. The letter to philemon is a brilliant affirmation of christian ethics.
Scholars are convinced that philemon was the owner of a slave, onesimus, who had run away and made his way to paul when the latter was in prison. 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 suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Lifechange lifechange bible studies will help you grow in christlikeness through a lifechanging encounter with gods word.
It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. Paul was writing philemon as a brother in christ and now that onesimus had trusted in christ, paul wanted philemon to consider him as a brother. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Allow pauls letter to philemon to encourage forgiveness in your own life, and trust god to foster renewed life in your heart and your relationships.
The background to the book of philemon is the story of a slave. Philemon 1 niv paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and. Each introduction to each book of the bible is different. Jan 25, 2018 at church a few weeks ago, my husband took note of how our pastor, nate shurden, thanked god for the book of philemon, calling it this postcard epistle in the corpus of the canon. This text may be used for nonprofit educational purposes only, with credit. The completed registration allows us to send order and donation receipts to the email. Philemon in the picture study bible the book of philemon. Jun 26, 2018 in this brief epistle, the apostle paul provides faiths solution to the problem of reconciling a christian slave to his christian master. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible. Onesimus took a chance one day, as any slave would have done, and made a run for it. The completed registration allows us to send order and donation receipts to the email address you provided. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a.
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