confused with that of social reform. (function() { virtually eclipsed free labor. Paul writes to Philemon that Onesimus was now a brother in Christ, writing, he is “no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother” (Phil 1:16). We find evidence of it in verse two. little doubt that Paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least however, slavery was beginning to change. What does the book of Philemon teach to those people who have been wronged and offended by others? Therefore, Philemon does what is right. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) Paul wrote this around AD 60 … Meet the Author of Philemon. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Its purpose is to teach forgiveness and acceptance. Paul not only says who wrote the Book of Philemon but he also tells who he wrote in to by writing, “Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker” but also to “Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house” (Phil 1:1-2). 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 haven't been to some religious school - they think understanding the Bible requires some theological degree. This epistle is the story of three main characters, Onesimus, What Lessons Do We Learn from Jesus Feeding the 5000 in John 6? Colossae, so Paul must have written to the Colossians and to Philemon at Philemon provides valuable historical insights into the early church’s The Holy Spirit has included it in the Scriptures for a very definite … His testimony of love, faith, and refreshing the other believers around him brought joy to the heart of Paul and joy to the heart of God. Col. 3:13). And this just makes sense. Philemon will do for Paul what he had already done for so many others (see v 7). (i.e., continue to next section or return to previous Instead, Christianity undermined the evils their masters and were better off than many freemen because they were assured of In fact, you already heard an entire book of the Bible as one of our readings today. var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); Though very brief, the epistle directly attacks slavery; had it done so, the resulting slave insurrections Authorship: There is little doubt that Paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times (in verses 1, 9 and 19). Philemon lived in Colossae. 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. In just 25 verses, Paul effectively shows us what Christ-like character we should all employ as God's people. If Philemon will do this, receive Onesimus as a brother, then this will refresh Paul’s heart. As we read Paul’s letter to his friend, we know Philemon probably had a large house. 3. section. 8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. See that enemy, or rival as someone whom Christ has saved. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. One of these books is the book of Philemon. It seems that in all his teaching and encouraging of the saints, Philemon either never tried to teach Onesimus or Onesimus simply wasn’t willing to listen to his master’s teaching. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a … master, so sent him back to Philemon, along with Tychicus, who carried Paul’s ministry. virtually eclipsed free labor. Yet, there remained a problem: Onesimus was still a fugitive slave. Read the Passage. Paul converted Onesimus (Philemon 10). Reading this epistle is like looking over the shoulder of Philemon and reading his personal mail. The letter from Paul to evidently robbed Philemon, his master (verse 18), and run away. Related quizzes can be found here: Philemon Quizzes There are 28 questions on this topic. 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; Here is a summary: The Apostle Paul introduces himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Paul is not being presumptuous in this and he does not try to use his apostolic authority in trying to keep Onesimus with him (1:14). Onesimus had been Philemon’s slave. While in Rome, he met Paul and was converted to Christianity. and if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.” Prayer Focus: LORD, help me to truly comprehend I am hopelessly bound for hell without You. Paul’s love for Philemon is obvious because even though Paul could have asked Philemon to let Onesimus stay with Paul to aid him, Paul was still respectful to Philemon as being Onesimus’ master. Most people seem to mainly focus on the restitution of Onesimus to Philemon, but there’s a lot more to it than that.   The New Testament contains a short book called Philemon. would have been brutally suppressed and the message of the gospel hopelessly Here is a summary: The Apostle Paul introduces himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Each section contains a Date of Writing: The Book of Philemon was written in approximately A. D. 60. The New Testament contains a short book called Philemon. The epistle of Paul to Philemon - Paul is writing to this individual called Philemon: "Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Watch the film and find out why this is seen as a key Bible story. Brothers in Christ. Paul and Timothy greet Philemon as a dearly beloved fellow-laborer. Philemon is the shortest book found in the Bible. It is directed to Philemon, which means “kisses” or “one that is affectionate”, in behalf of Onesimus, which means “profitable” or “usefulness”. It reveals more of the Paul wrote this letter to him personally. artists, librarians, or accountants; in short, almost all jobs could be and were Its purpose is to teach forgiveness and acceptance. bought, sold, inherited, exchanged, or seized to pay their master’s debt. Jaye Martin. Also, due to his recent acceptance of Christ he is now a brother. By the time of the New Testament, of slavery by changing the hearts of slaves and masters. Slaves could be doctors, musicians, teachers, As such, they could be Just as God forgives us, he expects us to forgive others, as we find in the Lord's Prayer. It has been said that no document in the history of the world has so altered humanity’s attitude toward the institution of slavery as has this letter. They are members of the same family that you are a member of because of the same Gospel by which you have been saved. ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? Historical – Theological Themes: (function() { relationship to the institution of slavery. It reveals more of the While in Rome, he met Paul and was converted to Christianity. Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 8, 2013 “Philemon: The Gospel Transforms Relationships” (Philemon 1-21) Today I’m going to preach to you an entire book of the Bible. Who was Philemon? Though it is made up of only 25 verses, it contains many principles that remain applicable for believers today. It is a prison letter, co-authored by Paul the Apostle with Timothy, to Philemon, a leader in the Colossian church. Who is Philemon? ( Log Out /  Paul even offered to pay Philemon for anything Onesimus had stolen if the man would grant forgiveness. Paul urged Philemon to receive Onesimus “no longer as a slave, but more than a … three times (in verses 1, 9 and 19). Paul’s instruction here provides the biblical definition of Commentary on Philemon 1:8-14 (Read Philemon 1:8-14) It does not lower any one to condescend, and sometimes even to beseech, where, in strictness of right, we might command: the apostle argues from love, rather than authority, in behalf of one converted through his means; and this was Onesimus. Other Books of the Bible })(); email us at: Does a story of a runaway slave teach us anything for today? of the population), and an accepted part of life. Many people believe that Paul is saying this because he is sending Onesimus back to slavery, ultimately condoning it. faith in Christ. The New Testament nowhere In this article we'll take a look at three things we can learn from Paul's letter to Philemon. Key Bible Stories – Philemon What can we learn from this short but important book? In Paul’s day, slavery had . Paul does push his point here, noting that Philemon owes Paul his very own self, probably a reference to Paul’s leading him to and nurturing him in the faith. One of Paul's shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of Philemon demonstrates the gospel through action. var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); letter to the Colossian church at the same time (Col. 4:7-9). Bible / BibleStudyTools Video; Share Tweet. Each section can be accessed by the simple menu found at the This could have meant that… more productive, masters tended to treat them more leniently. of the population), and an accepted part of life. Paul respectfully requests that Philemon forgive his runaway slave, free him, and allow him to serve Christ without restrictions. Paul sent him back (Philemon 12). The book of Philemon resonates with an understanding of life Jesus set forth in the Sermon on the Mount. Philippians, and Colossians, which Paul wrote during his first Roman The letter suggests that Paul was in prison at the time of the writing. For more than two years during his third missionary journey, 6:12-15; 18:21-35; Eph. Recently Featured. While still not recognizing them as persons under 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. Philemon knows that God has been so good to him. three times (in verses 1, 9 and 19). Webmaster@bible-studys.org Suggested dates range from 60-63 A.D. Background – Setting: Philemon was a Christian and a slave holder. So what is the real purpose of Philemon? Each of the chapters are done individually. The book of Philemon is not a book about slavery. artists, librarians, or accountants; in short, almost all jobs could be and were into the institution of slavery in the ancient Roman world; and, 3. Whenever U.S. history is discussed, it is only a matter of time until slavery is brought up. early church, particularly by Ignatius, Tertullian, Origen, Eusebius, Marcion, into the institution of slavery in the ancient Roman world; and, It serves as a vivid picture The book was written around 62 AD during Paul first imprisonment in Rome. According to (Colossians 4:7-9), Onesimus accompanied Tychicus to in full: “Put that on mine account” (verse 18). Paul’s High Regard and Prayer for Philemon. Known as the “apostle to the Gentiles,” Paul is the author of several books and epistles in the New Testament. The institution of slavery is one of the biggest, perhaps the biggest, moral failing of the first one hundred years of the U.S.’s existence. The book of Philemon is a personal letter written to a slave owner named Philemon who has a runaway slave named Onesimus, whom Paul is sending back to Philemon. You heard 21 out of the 25 verses that… Title: The title of this letter is Philemon loves other people and he helps them. Lessons Learned From Philemon . Brothers in Christ. _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); It gives a dynamic meaning to faith in the market place. ( Log Out /  Philemon will do for Paul what he had already done for so many others (see v 7). At least he had a nice home, Even destructive critics do not question its Well, almost. 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