1 * Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved and our co-worker, a 2 to Apphia our sister, * to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church at your house. An Introduction to the Book of Philemon Paul wrote Philemon to implore his friend, and fellow believer, Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus. cit. Purpose of Writing: The letter to Philemon is the shortest of all Paul’s writings and deals with the practice of slavery. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by … *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Philemon (Gr. Origin and date. of
Col 4:1; for slavery in the NT see note on Eph 6:5). Philemon 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) The Epistle of Paul to Philemon 1 Paul handling a base and small matter, yet according to his manner mounteth aloft unto God. Another value of this small epistle might be derived from a reconstruction of Paul’s correspondence adopted by E. J. Goodspeed and popularized by J. Knox (esp. wrote both letters from prison in Rome, though possibly from Ephesus (see Introduction
that Paul was a prisoner at Ephesus when he wrote this note to Philemon. The time was not ripe for this solution of such difficult questions.” (See also Preiss’s sensitive comments on this matter, loc. Unlike other letters of Paul in which he was writing to respond to issues, Philemon is a letter Paul initiated himself. 4-10), to persuade the mind (vv. The Epistle to Philemon is a letter that Paul wrote to Philemon. 11). of “Paul, an ambassador” (Gr. willing to return to his master, and Paul writes this personal appeal to ask
Bibliography J. J. Müller, New International Commentary; E. Lohmeyer, Kommentar (1930); T. Preiss, Life in Christ (1954), 32-42; J. Knox, IB, XI (1955). The letter suggests that Paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Critical opinion on these two hypotheses has not been altogether favorable. “What this epistle does is to bring us into an atmosphere in which the institution could only wilt and die,” and Paul’s statement (v. 16) is the Magna Carta of true emancipation and human dignity. Letter of Paul to Philemon, also called Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to Philemon, abbreviation Philemon, brief New Testament letter written by St. Paul the Apostle to a wealthy Christian of Colossae, in the ancient Roman province of Asia (now in western Turkey), on behalf of Onesimus, who was enslaved to Philemon and may have run away from him. Philemon is one of Paul's letters, written from jail. wrote this short letter (see vv. It usually is assumed that he had stolen money and then absconded (v. 18). It is also a book of the New Testament. law required that whoever gave hospitality to a runaway slave was liable to the slave’s master for the value of each day’s work lost it may be that Paul’s promise to stand guarantor (v. 19) is no more than the assurance to Philemon that he will make up the amount incurred by Onesimus’ absence from work. origin of the letter is reinforced if the Colossian letter can be placed in this period of Paul’s life. and sent it to Colosse with the same travelers, Onesimus and Tychicus. Values. The knowledge of Paul would be so much poorer if this slender document had not been preserved. See [http://biblegateway/wiki/Colossians, The Epistle to COLOSSIANS]; [http://biblegateway/wiki/Ephesians, Letter of Paul to the EPHESIANS]. 20-21). THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO PHILEMON Author: Paul the apostle with Timothy the brother (v. 1). The characteristic note is therefore: “for love’s sake” (v. 9)...“Refresh my heart in Christ” (by acceding to this request, v. 20) and “receive” this truant slave “as you would receive me” (v. 17). New International Version (NIV), Encyclopedia of The Bible – Epistle to Philemon, [http://biblegateway/wiki/Colossians, The Epistle to COLOSSIANS], [http://biblegateway/wiki/Ephesians, Letter of Paul to the EPHESIANS]. Knox offers two identifications which, if accepted, would modify the understanding of this letter and enlarge the picture of apostolic Christianity. 1. Philemon is the shortest letter of the Pauline corpus, consisting of 335 words in the original. Onesimus is to accompany Tychicus who was entrusted with the Colossian letter (Col 4:9). Verse 21, however, contains an undertone of hope that Philemon will agree to the manumission of the slave, a revolutionary thought in the contemporary treatment of runaway slaves whom masters could brutally punish. 90ff.) THE LETTER TO PHILEMON This short letter addressed to three specific individuals was written by Paul during an imprisonment, perhaps in Rome between A.D. 61 and 63 (see the Introduction to Colossians for other possible sites). To win Philemon's willing acceptance of Onesimus, Paul writes very tactfully
in his Philemon Among the Letters of Paul, 2nd ed. Ph1lemon was perhaps a native, and certainly a resident, of the city of Colosse, one of the Colossian Christians, therefore, to whom the Epistle to the Colossians was written. 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philemon 1-3). Preiss argues that Paul’s language is insistent that the slave should be welcomed into Philemon’s family, but this conclusion is somewhat strained. Now he was
On other grounds, it has been proposed (chiefly by G. S. Duncan, St. Paul’s Ephesian Ministry [1929], 72ff.) https://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-pauline-epistles/philemon In this short letter, St. Paul appeals to Philemon to take back his runaway slave, not just as a slave but as a brother in Christ. until the rapport has been built (v. 10), and the appeal itself is stated only
Bible Gateway Plus makes it easy. No serious objection stands in the way of receiving this letter as genuine; even A. Q. Morton (Paul: the Man and the Myth [1966]) raises no discordant voice. Philemon is the shortest letter of the Pauline corpus, consisting of 335 words in the original. Some scholars have posited that Apphia must have been a close relation to Philemon since she is mentioned directly after he is, 6 but this position cannot be adopted dogmatically. Paul
Try it free today. Throughout his writings, Paul used the language of slavery versus freedom. He builds his theory on the request Paul made (v. 22) for lodging, and argues that this promised visit to the Lycus valley is congruous with Paul’s plans at the time of his Ephesian ministry (Acts 19; 20), but hardly likely when he was at Rome. There is every reason to believe that he did respond; otherwise the letter would not have been preserved. It is the only example within the Pauline library of correspondence that may be termed a personal note, although both Lohmeyer and Théo Preiss (see Bibliography) have drawn attention to the way the letter opens—the link between Timothy and Paul and the association of Philemon with the whole church that assembled in his house—to show that the document is an epistle which Paul wrote in full awareness of his apostolic authority. Authenticity. A model of Christian courtesy b. For good reason Paul’s bold request for Onesimus is carefully prepared—by his approach of gentle language (vv. Philemon apparently was a convert of the apostle Paul, though Paul had never made a visit to Colosse. Apphia is likely to be Philemon's wife. According to letters we have from this era, we recognize that Philemon is the primary addressee, since he appears first in the list. But Onesimus met Paul and through his ministry became a Christian (see v. 10). Proud member
1422 for the redress before the law that slave owners could claim against any who sheltered slaves). 80), but postulates a change of plan. Address and Greeting. This however can only be speculative. to Philippians: Author, Date and Place of Writing; see also chart, p. 2261). 2. Occasion and purpose. All rights reserved. He apparently
1,9,19) probably at the same time as Colossians
The book of Philemon is a Prison Epistle (letter written while in prison), which Paul wrote circa 61 A.D. Since current Rom. Now he was willing to return to his master, and Paul writes this personal appeal to ask that he be accepted as a Christian brother (see v. 16). All rights reserved. Col 4:1; for slavery in the NT see note on Eph 6:5). is sympathetic to Knox’s second point but unpersuaded by his attempt to give Archippus a distinguished role. The repeated use by Ignatius, c._ a.d. 109 (Ephesians 2, Magn. [1959]). He is the true man who is also an apostle, as Chrysostom aptly comments, full of sympathy and concern for a person in distress and willing to do all in his power to help, even at cost (v. 19). Consisting of only 25 verses, it is, along with Jude, one of the smallest books of the Bible.It is the only letter that is purely about an individual (specifically a runaway slave) and is the most obviously private of all the correspondence in the NT. For if (as has just been mentioned) Paul and Onesimus were in prison together, Paul’s circumstances must have worsened considerably from the “free custody” in a hired room that he had at Rome (Acts 28:30f.). The answer to this criticism was given by W. Bousset (in Die Schriften des Neuen Testaments, II [1929], 101): “Christianity would have sunk beyond hope of recovery along with such revolutionary attempts; it might have brought on a new slave rising and been crushed along with it. A letter of Paul to a Christian man. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon (otherwise known as Philemon) is a book included in the Christian New Testament. One of his slaves, Onesimus, had apparently stolen from him (cf. C. H. Dodd, who argues for a Rom. PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon the beloved and our fellow-laborer, 2 and to Apphia the beloved, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house: 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As a historical document, the letter throws unusual light on the Christian conscience in regard to the institution of slavery in the ancient world, and so complements the so-called Household Codes of the other NT epistles (1 Cor 7:21-23; Eph 6:5-9; Col 3:22-4:1; 1 Tim 6:1f. ), to whom St. Paul addressed a private letter, unique in the New Testament, which bears his name. There is a book in the New Testament which has been described as: a. a. and in a lighthearted tone, which he creates with a wordplay (see note on v.
Φιλήμων), a citizen of Colossae (q.v. near the end of the section to persuade the mind (v. 17). He was evidently an inhabitant of Colossae, Col.4: 9, and apparently belonged to the wealthy class. Or it may be that the slave had come on an errand to Paul and had overstayed his time. The Tübingen school of F. C. Baur did oppose this letter, followed by the Dutch radical W. C. van Manen (in Encyclopedia Biblica, III [1902]), but these are aberrations. Phm 1:7 - For we have[fn] great joy[fn] and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints … The precise locale of Paul’s imprisonment is raised. Copyright 2002 © Zondervan. Moreover, Paul so identifies himself with the slave and his master that he can fulfill the office of mediator and represent meaningfully both parties. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. C. F. D. Moule (Commentary, 16f.) The key personalities of Philemon are Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus. Watch our overview video on the book of Philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Paul’s letter to Philemon addresses the subject of a runaway slave. wrote this letter to Philemon, a believer in Colosse who, along with others,
The Letter to Philemon is one of the 5 Captivity Epistles, along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and Second Timothy in the New Testament of the Bible. 1. Paul
Pap. Used with permission. and Roman teachers: to build rapport (vv. Do you wish you knew the Bible better? One of his slaves, Onesimus, had apparently stolen from him (cf. Colosse was a city in the southwest of Asia Minor, upon the banks of the river Lycus. Time of Writing: Approximately A.D. 64, shortly before Paul was released from his … It is the shortest of Paul's letters, consisting of only 335 words in the Greek text. v. 18) and
the affinity of Colossians with Ephesians). cit., 40-42.). The request ends with a challenge (v. 21) that Philemon will go beyond the limit of Paul’s desire, an appeal reinforced by the prospect of the apostle’s visit (v. 22)—a hope that would spur Philemon to a ready acceptance of what was asked of him. c Thanksgiving. “Luke was with Paul at Rome; we have no evidence that Luke was with him at Ephesus. Martin Luther insisted that the letter upheld the social status quo: P… The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) [Bruce, F. F.] on Amazon.com. 11-19) and to move the emotions (vv. The appeal (vv. period, and Philemon can be dated c. a.d. 58-60. PHILEMON, EPISTLE TO. rightly objects that Philemon’s name standing at the head of the persons addressed (v. 1) seems “fatal to the theory that Archippus is primarily the one addressed”; and E. F. Harrison (Introduction to the New Testament, 309) has raised a formidable set of objections to Knox’s entire reconstruction, whereas F. F. Bruce (op. The novel feature of this epistle is brought out by F. F. Bruce (op. 4-21) is organized in a way prescribed by ancient Greek
The case for this dating of Colossians is chiefly on the ground that the more developed theology of that epistle seems to require a place at the end of Paul’s life (cf. Nonetheless, the primary purpose of the letter is to act as a covering note to insure that Philemon will receive back his delinquent slave, although some scholars (J. Knox and T. Preiss) regard the injunction of Paul to Philemon as a request for Onesimus to be allowed permanently to remain as his aide or else to be set free (v. 16). A letter of Paul to a Christian man. The occasion of this letter may be inferred from its contents, although some details are obscure. But Onesimus
provenance of this epistle by drawing attention to the inclusion of Luke and Mark in Paul’s list (v. 24). Paul chose to take the role of mediator between the two and even offered to personally cover the debts of the recently converted slave. Paul’s epistle to Philemon has human relations principles that could help solve today’s problems. 4. It was written for the purpose of interceding for Onesimus (q.v. It concerns Onesimus, a slave from Colossae (Col 4:9), who had run away from his master, perhaps guilty of theft in the process (Phlm 18). cit. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (The New … The epistle to Philemon is of value also because of the window it opens on Paul’s character. cit., 90), viz. A slave named Onesimus had wronged his owner Philemon, a Christian living with the other persons named in the salutation to Colossae (Col 4:9, 17). If so, Paul's letter about a … (c. a.d. 60; see Introduction to Colossians: Author, Date and Place of Writing)
The most common interpretation of the book was that Paul wrote a letter to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, who was a runaway slave that had wronged his owner. As appears from this epistle, Philemon was his dear and intimate friend (verses 1, 13, 17, 22), and had been converted most probably by him (verse 19) during his long residence at Ephesus (Acts, xix, 26; cf. The case for a Rom. Little is known of this Philemon. 8 Sending again to Philemon his vagabond and thievish servant, he entreateth pardon for him, and very gravely preacheth of Christian equity. The Epistle To Philemon Introduction AUTHOR Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ (1,9,19). Occasion and contents.This beautiful private letter, unique in the NT, purports to be from St. Paul (with whose name that of Timothy is joined, as in 1 and 2 Thess., 2 Cor., Philipp., Col.) to Philemon, with Apphia and Archlppus, and the church in his house. Then his plans were to proceed to Spain. The Epistle to Philemon is the eighteenth book of the New Testament (NT). Mention of others in Philemon's community also signifies this as a public letter (See notes on v. 1). Authenticity.-The Pauline authorship of this Epistle is beyond reasonable doubt. THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON A Model Of Christian Courtesy (Philemon 1-25) INTRODUCTION 1. Ignatius writes: “May I always have profit from you (onaimēn hymōn), if I am worthy.” With this identification assumed, Knox proceeds to maintain that the same Onesimus, now a church leader, collected and published the Pauline letters, including the one to Philemon in which he had a personal stake. PHILEMON, EPISTLE TO fī le’ mən (πρὸ̀ς Φιλήμονα). Mark is traditionally associated with Rome, not with Ephesus” (BJRL, XLVIII [1965], 87f.). that he be accepted as a Christian brother (see v. 16). Philemon is not just a church member, but a leader -- and wealthy enough to own slaves. 1. The name Onesimus is not mentioned
THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON. met Paul and through his ministry became a Christian (see v. 10). Paul writes as a prisoner (vv. was a slave owner (cf. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon, a believer in Colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner (cf. The nature of the slave’s offense is not certain. theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Philemon. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. His chief support is the assumption that Onesimus was more likely to flee to the anonymity of the imperial city where he was brought into touch with the apostle; and F. F. Bruce adds a further pointer in the direction of a Rom. The Epistle to Philemon is the fifty-seventh book in the Christian Bible, and the eighteenth in the New Testament. 12, Polyc. Moreover, Paul’s situation as a prisoner may well have drawn Onesimus into his company, as some scholars believe Onesimus had been caught and placed in the same cell with the Christian missionary, and was thus won for Christ. v. 18) and then run away, which under Roman law was punishable by death. Running through Paul’s appeal is the current of Christian compassion (v. 12) and the powerful reminder that Philemon is already in debt to Paul himself (v. 19b) as owing his very salvation to Paul’s preaching of the Gospel. Departed for a while: It was true that Philemon departed, but Paul would send hi… We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. ¶“ 4 I thank my God, and I always mention you at my prayers. The Epistle to Philemon was written from Rome at the same time as the epistles to the Colossians and Ephesians, and was sent also by Onesimus. But see the article on [http://biblegateway/wiki/Colossians, The Epistle to COLOSSIANS] for alternate views. Philemon is a stub, but at least it is a bit longer than 2 John and 3 John.. Paul is apparently planning a jailbreak, because he asks Philemon, leader of the Colossian church to prepare a lodging for him, in the hope that through their "prayers" (or perhaps a get out of jail free card) he might be restored to them. From the NIV Study Bible, Introductions to the Books of the Bible, Philemon California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Final Request, Greetings and Benediction (. Indeed, severe penalties were exacted of those who harbored deserting slaves (see Oxy. b 3 Grace to you and peace * from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philemon reveals a genuinely caring Paul with a strong pastoral concern. 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 letter is addressed to "Philemon our dearly beloved and fellow-laborer, and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus, our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house," 1, 2. This summary of the book of Philemon provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme,
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