Paul, like christ, asks for any of the wrongs of onesimus to be put on pauls account verse 18. Colossians and philemon is the first book in a projected series of twenty volumes that seeks to bring together classroom, study, and pulpit by providing the student or pastor with the information needed to understand and expound the greek. Pauls epistle to philemon is one of the few books in the nt whose authenticity has hardly ever been doubted. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or.
Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. G dunn, the epistles to the colossians and to philemon. Mar 04, 20 paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy, a brother. Paul to philemon himself, on behalf of his runaway slave, onesimus. Written by some of the worlds most distinguished evangelicals scholars, including f. 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. How to study the book of philemon philemon is one of the shortest books in the bible, but it contains a powerful lesson of leadership, discipleship and forgiveness. How to study the book of philemon the philemon effect. Such anonymity makes the document suspect in the minds of some for it provides no specificity of. Jude is the 4th smallest book of the bible yet one of the most potent in exposing doctrinal errors and false teachers.
Summary of the book of philemon story of the bible. He mentions this also in his other prison epistles ephesians, philippians and colossians. The book ends with paul in prison in rome for the first time. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. 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. Also, there are many personal references common to philemon and colossians. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Philemon 1 commentary greek testament critical exegetical. Colossians was likely penned, as were ephesians, philippians, and philemon, during pauls first imprisonment at rome 1. This very personal letter reveals not only the concern of the apostle for a converted slave but also a practical demonstration of brotherhood in christ. Twice he speaks of being a prisoner of jesus christ.
Philemon, dictionary of the bible and western culture sheffield. It appears that he was a slave holder before he was saved. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Wright, and donald guthrie, these twenty volumes offer clear, reliable and relevant explanations of every book in the new testament. Philemon provides valuable historical insights into the early churchs relationship to the institution of slavery. Dunns wellknown and formidable exegetical skills are amply displayed in his new commentary on colossians and philemon for the new international greek testament commentary series. His subsequent history is not recorded, which would indicate the book was written before that history was known. Paul soars like a heavenly eagle, and flies a high pitch of heavenly discourse. Matthews, 1998, hendrickson publishers the divine outline of history, tapes on philemon, r.
Smith, atlantic baptist university, in religious studies 1023. 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. Also, paul asks philemon to accept onesimus as a fellow christian rather than as a slave. Paul mentions his own name three times in this his shortest epistle verses 1. In pauls day, slavery had virtually eclipsed free labor. This letter was written by paul, an apostle of jesus christ 1. The first edition of harriss exegetical guide, colossians and philemon, was published in 1991. But he has promised the holy spirit to help us understand john 16. This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a. Philemon commentary john gills exposition of the bible. Philemon 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. The persons written to are philemon and apphia, and with them archippus, and the church in philemons house. Philemon 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Paul knew that conversion is nothing to trifle with, but that it should be honored and fostered.
To philemon our beloved and coworker, and apphia, a sister, and archippus our cosoldier, and to the assembly in your home. There is no longer jew or greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. This is a story that includes a more than likely runaway slave, onesimus, who has come to know paul in rome, was converted by paul to the christian faith by paul, and rendered voluntary service to paul in his roman imprisonment. The book is about bondage and love, forgiveness and joy. Jerome in his commentary on the epistle, mentions the. Biblical exegesis involves the examination of a particular text of scripture in order to properly interpret it.
Bible explained bible commentary study of each verse in. The apostles joy and praise for philemon s steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. Read philemon commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. 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. 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. Philemon, the master of onesimus, was the principal, to whom the letter is inscribed, the head of the family, in whom were the authority and power of taking in or shutting out, and whose property onesimus was. The apostles message would have had extra force behind it because he knew philemon personally. Now, paul sends him back to philemon, though he would really like to keep him verse. Philemon was the master of onesimus, a runaway slave. Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. Pauls basic claim in philemon is the same as it is in galatians 3. Biblical commentary bible study philemon 121 exegesis.
The epistle to the hebrews has suffered from anonymity. Philemon 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries. The apostles joy and praise for philemons steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. He may have written down the apostles words as he dictated them to him.
There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19. Harris aims to close the gap between grammatical analysis and. The numerous parallels of vocabulary and matters discussed in ephesians and colossians link these epistles together. 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. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Exegesis of philemon presented at the chicago conference at st. 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.
Study the bible online using commentary on philemon and more. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. Grace to you, and peace, from god our father and our lord jesus christ. Paul tries to convince philemon to make the right decision. Philemon 125 friendship, forgiveness, reputation discussion questions 1. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing.
I beseech thee for my son onesimus, whom i have begotten in my. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. You can find the best commentary on philemon for you using the tools on the right side. On both these texts dunn offers balanced and reasonable readings that will certainly become essential moments in scholarly discussion of these texts. 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. So, whenever you open the sacred word, also open your heart to god in prayer, allowing the words of this commentary to direct your thoughts to the scriptures and to the one they tell us about. Paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy, a brother. Just recently from the vantage point of my writing this us president donald trump and others have mentioned that a certain antimalarial medicine chloroquine might be effective in treating the dreaded worldwide pandemic covid19. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. The letter from paul to philemon was of a very personal nature.
To understand the beginning of chapter 2, we need to look first at chapter 1. Though he did not personally know the recipients, paul was acquainted with them. From an abject subject, the receiving of a runaway servant, st. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. Exegesis is a part of the process of hermeneutics, the science of interpretation. Pauls friendship with philemon is shown by something significantly missing in his greeting.
The tyndale new testament commentaries tntc have long been a trusted resource for bible study. This tool will help students work with the greek text of these books. Exegesis of the epistle to philemon the archives near. There is anonymity of both author and recipients because these details are not included in the text of the letter. The book of philemon in the world wide study bible. Onesimus is a brother in gods family and philemon loves him very much. Can this short letter be viewed from different perspectives. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The series is intended for people who have completed an introductory course. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. Colossians and philemon is the first book in a projected series of twenty volumes that seeks to bring together classroom, study, and pulpit by providing the student or pastor with the information needed to understand and expound the greek text of the new testament. He is in prison, but assures the philippian christians that his imprisonment has actually served to spread the gospel, because it. Philemon pauls plea to a friend, on behalf of a slave. Jul 30, 2019 how to study the book of philemon philemon is one of the shortest books in the bible, but it contains a powerful lesson of leadership, discipleship and forgiveness.
Could the common view of onesimus as a runaway, thieving slave be wrong. The word of god is precious and far beyond human wisdom isa. A person who practices exegesis is called an exegete. Colossians and philemon exegetical guide to the greek new. Paul had explained the gospel to philemon and had witnessed the profound result. Meyer remarks the tact of the apostle in associating with philemon those connected with his house, but not going beyond the limits of the house. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse.