Overview of the book of philemon

Headings throughout the following book of philemon. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter. The book of philemon is considered by most scholars to be a companion letter to his epistle to the colossians. Apparently, onesimus stole from his master then ran away to rome where he met paul and became a believer. So if you have your bibles with you today, open up to the book of philemon. The book of philemon as well as the book of colossians were written by paul and delivered at the same time. The main character in the book is a man by the name of onesimus. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. Philemon 125 niv paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and.

The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. Onesimus was still the property of philemon, and paul wrote to smooth the way for his return to his master. Due to ministry changes at my church and lack of teachers i have a combined class of newly promoted 4th. There is no longer jew or greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female. Philemon isnt the shortest book of the bible thats third john, but it is only one chapter long 335 words.

This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a. This lesson continues the process of introducing students to inductive bible study. Activity read the parts of the letter and let them identify it in the letter 1. The book of philemon is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. The book of philemon teaches about forgiveness and good interpersonal relationship. He then moves to his point, saying he has a request, again reminding them that he is an old man and a prisoner of christ.

Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in. The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. Philemon executable outline study resources blue letter bible. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. There is one read scripture video dedicated to the book of philemon, which aims to help you see its unique contribution to the story of jesus, but also how it works within the bibles overall. Letter from paul to philemon, paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and timothy our brother, unto philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer. 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. Paul introduces himself, noting that he is a prisoner of christ jesus. 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. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. During the time of pauls ministry in ephesus, philemon had likely journeyed to the city, heard. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. This outline of philemon is intended to assist you as you study the bible.

Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. During the time of pauls ministry in ephesus, philemon had likely journeyed to the city, heard pauls preaching and became a christian. The book of philemon is one of the shortest books in the bible. The slave onesimus robbed his master, philemon, and ran away, making his way to rome and to paul. Paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his escaped former slave onesimus, and shows that they are equals because of jesus. Now i suspect that philemon may be a difficult book for you to find. They are included in the body of the text so the reader can see them as he reads the book without having to page over to a separate outline. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon.

Overview of the book of philemon reformed answers to. Summary of the book of philemon story of the bible. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary galatians. Its written to philemon whose slave onesimus ran away and became a believer under pauls teaching. To ask philemon of colossae to not only pardon his slave onesimus, but to give him a warm welcome as a fellow believer. 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. Written to secure forgiveness for onesimus, but also to secure a place to stay after his release from prison. This is because of the information in the book concerning onesimus who had comforted paul while he was in prison philemon 1. After his dramatic conversion on the road to damascus, pauls singular purpose was to prove that jesus is the christ acts 9. It joins obadiah, ii john, iii john, and jude as the only 1chapter books in scripture. Pauls epistle to philemon is one of the few books in the nt whose authenticity has hardly ever been doubted. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.

The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. Philemon 2025 20 yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the lord. The book of philemon is constructed as a letter from paul, addressed to philemon, who was one of pauls friends. 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. It is a book every believer in christ should study thoroughly. Since colossians was written from rome during pauls first imprisonment 62 ad. As the students study philemon they will combine 2 steps overview, closer look. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. May you discover gods character as you read his letter to you. Philemon is a perfect example of what ancient letters were typically like in the grecoroman world. Overview of the book of philemon third millennium ministries. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. Philemon summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of philemon for bible study or sunday school lessons.

Paul mentions his own name three times in this his shortest. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary shmoop. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. Watch our read scripture video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Onesimus is mentioned in the book of colossians as one of you. Since onesimus had become very dear to paul philemon 1. Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in houston. Minister, woodland heights christian church, crawfordsville, in. To accomplish this purpose, paul reminded philemon of the brotherly relationship he and philemon shared in christ.

The book of philemon is a letter written by the apostle paul while in prison, to philemon in regards to his slave, onesimus. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. 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. One of pauls shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of philemon demonstrates the gospel through action. To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to all other powers and attempts to gain. However, its brevity does not mean it has nothing to offer to us today. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Its purpose was to present the lord jesus christ as perfect and. 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. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority. Click here to see the next lesson on the book of philemon.

Today, as we look at the book of philemon, we are going to see forgiveness in action. 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. Paul mentions his own name three times in this his shortest epistle verses 1. Pauls basic claim in philemon is the same as it is in galatians 3. Philemon overview bradley cobbs commentary on 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 definition of onesimus is profitable or useful. Summary of the book of philemon summary of hebrews. The epistle to philemon is a plea from the apostle paul to receive his slave as a brother, as christ had received philemon. It appears that he was a slave holder before he was saved. People in the book during the time of pauls ministry in ephesus, philemon had likely journeyed to the city, heard pauls preaching and became a christian. To ask philemon of colossae to pardon his slave onesimus. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.