Audio and manuscripts are available for each lesson. 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. Paul reminded philemon that his life was saved when paul led him to christ, so philemon owed him a favor. 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. 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. To win philemon s willing acceptance of onesimus, paul writes very tactfully and in a lighthearted tone, which he creates with a wordplay see note on v. Participants will be encouraged to apply gods word to their lives.
Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. Paul is writing to say that he is sending onesimus back to philemon and to encourage philemon to accept onesimus as a friend and a follower of jesus. Lessons learned from philemon simple bible studies. Study guide for philemon by david guzik blue letter bible. 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. So the fact that onesimus was probably sent by philemon to help paul while he was in prison puts a little different slant on understanding the book. To win philemons willing acceptance of onesimus, paul writes very tactfully and in a lighthearted tone, which he creates with a wordplay see note on v. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is packed with abiding truths so needed in our modern world. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon.
May you discover gods character as you read his letter to you. That he was apparently a resident of colossae is supported by the fact that his slave, onesimus, was a colossian colossians 4. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. This 12week practical study series from crossway orients the student to the near and far context, key questions, gospel glimpses, wholebible connections, and theological and practical implications for every section of the books of colossians and philemon. Tom constables expository notes on philemon this is also available in the net. 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. The letter from paul to philemon was of a very personal nature.
The epistle shows that he was a believing christian and an esteemed acquaintance of the apostle. Paul was writing philemon as a brother in christ and now. Lifechange lifechange bible studies will help you grow in christlikeness through a lifechanging encounter with gods word. 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. Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse. 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. Visit our life application page for more information on how to use this work in a bible study. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Its a little book that can get lost between the giants on either side, yet it. Copeland hundreds of free sermon outlines and bible study materials available for online browsing and downloading. Since colossians was written from rome during pauls first imprisonment 62 ad.
Philemon in the picture study bible the book of philemon. Moule, colossian and philemon studies christian literature crusade, pp. 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. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. Sadly, many misconstrue this to say that paul condones slavery but that is not even in the context of the book of philemon. Through pauls ministry onesimus had come to faith in jesus while a runaway slave. There were millions of people in asia minor, and philemon was just one of the men who came to know the lord jesus. Unlike most of pauls letters, his letter to philemon has little directly to do with christian doctrine or the pastoral care of believers. Included are historical insights, word definitions, discussion questions, assignments and a leaders guide. Many people are turned off to the bible because they perceive it to be a book which addresses doctrinal issues they are unable to understand because they havent been to some religious school they think understanding the bible requires some theological degree.
One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. 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. Epistle to philemon read the bible online bible study tools. Philemon king james version kjv 1 paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and timothy our brother, unto philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 and to our beloved apphia, and archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house. What he meant is truethat this little book beautifully illustrates the. This 2 part expository study of philemon was preached at flagstaff christian fellowship in 2007. Filled with a wealth of ideas for going deeper so you can return to this study again and again. 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. For permission to reproducedistribute these resources from steve cole including the word document and audio files found on the individual lesson pages below please see bible. 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.
Onesimus took a chance one day, as any slave would have done, and made a run for it. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. 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 title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. Pauls friendship with philemon is shown by something significantly missing in his greeting. Included are historical insights, word definitions, discussion questions, assignments and a leaders. Bible reading offers the widest scope for the enrichment of public worship, and it is a great pity. The book of philemon as well as the book of colossians were written by paul and delivered at the same time. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The letter, rather, is a personal missive sent from paul to a friend in colossae. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible.
Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible. Timothy, titus and philemon, by william barclay is great both as an indepth study for a group and as a daily guide for individuals. The epistle is addressed to philemon, with the church in his house, and to sister apphia and archippus. Paul was imprisoned in rome when he wrote this personal.
Philemon, onesimus master, was also a christian and pauls close friend. The last of pauls authentic letters is the letter to philemon. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Also, through pauls words he will refocus the attention to christ and affirm the christian lifestyle. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is published by jehovahs witnesses. It is first a primary history source for roman history in the first century. Vernon mcgee taking the whole word to the whole world. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Philemon is a letter that showcases the cost of asking for and of granting forgiveness. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his.
This outline of philemon is intended to assist you as you study the bible. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. The epistle was intended for philemon, who may have been an elder in the church at colossae. He did what most runaway slaves apparently didhe moved into a great metropolis. An introduction to the book of philemon an argument of the book of philemon a selected bibliography of colossians and philemon daniel b.
These verses state what the story of philemon and onesimus. American bible society is a 501 c 3 non profit organization. Philemon kjv paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and bible. In this letter paul will appeal to philemon regarding a runaway slave who has met jesus and found refuge with paul. 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. 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. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. 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. 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. Now philemon owned slaves, and he had a slave named onesimus. Philemon provides valuable historical insights into the early churchs relationship to the institution of slavery. 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.
Onesimus is now returning to his master and paul hopes to influence how philemon responds to him. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. In that day, most runaway slaves, if caught, faced harsh punishment and sometimes even death. 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. This is the earliest known fragment of the epistle to philemon. All donations are tax deductible in full or in part. The bible often is read poorly in our church services. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Its a little book that can get lost between the giants on either side, yet it has a powerful message. Letter from paul to philemon, paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and timothy our brother, unto philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer. 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 book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. Most people seem to mainly focus on the restitution of onesimus to philemon, but theres a lot more to it than that. 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. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away. Study guide for philemon by chuck smith blue letter bible. In pauls day, slavery had virtually eclipsed free labor. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. The letter to philemon is a brilliant affirmation of christian ethics.
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