Bible study of the book of philemon

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. In time, as onesimus grew in the faith through pauls teaching, he. Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his. Interesting that the content of this letter is directed to an individual, philemon. Philemon is a letter that showcases the cost of asking for and of granting forgiveness. 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. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the. 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. Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse. 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.

Visit our life application page for more information on how to use this work in a bible study. Here are gospelminded pastors and scholars doing gospel business from all the scriptures. This epistle is the story of three main characters, onesimus, philemon and paul and their interaction. 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. Pauls letter to his christian brother philemon gives us a. Now philemon owned slaves, and he had a slave named onesimus.

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in christ. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is packed with abiding truths so needed in our modern world. He did what most runaway slaves apparently didhe moved into a great metropolis. 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. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. An introduction to the book of philemon an argument of the book of philemon a selected bibliography of colossians and 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 book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Paul wrote this letter to philemon, a believer in colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner cf. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. 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. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of.

Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. Philemon in the picture study bible the book of philemon. Before them, god had used law, history, poetry, prophecy, and the gospel records. Tom constables expository notes on philemon this is also available in the net. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications.

In that day, most runaway slaves, if caught, faced harsh punishment and sometimes even death. 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. There were millions of people in asia minor, and philemon was just one of the men who came to know the lord jesus. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Most people seem to mainly focus on the restitution of onesimus to philemon, but theres a lot more to it than that. Onesimus is mentioned in the book of colossians as one of you. Paul reminded philemon that his life was saved when paul led him to christ, so philemon owed him a favor. Lessons learned from philemon simple bible studies. This 2 part expository study of philemon was preached at flagstaff christian fellowship in 2007. Study guide for philemon by david guzik blue letter bible. Its a little book that can get lost between the giants on either side, yet it has a powerful message. Bible study of the letter to philemon and the lessons individuals can draw from this man from colossi rating.

More insights from your bible study get started with logos bible software. 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. 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. Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. This is the earliest known fragment of the epistle to philemon. Philemon overviewcloser look november 12, 2012 by kelly henderson. A life application bible study is inexpensive and contains lessons, charts, maps, study questions and notes.

Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. The book of philemon is considered by most scholars to be a companion letter to his epistle to the colossians. Timothy, titus and philemon, by william barclay is great both as an indepth study for a group and as a daily guide for individuals. This is one of the most remarkable epistles in the scripture. Onesimus is now returning to his master and paul hopes to influence how philemon responds to him. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Onesimus took a chance one day, as any slave would have done, and made a run for it. This is because of the information in the book concerning onesimus who had comforted paul while he was in prison philemon 1. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. They would simply live christian lives and wait for the leavening teaching of.

Recently, some scholars have challenged the traditional reading of the letter and have proposed a. In time, as onesimus grew in the faith through pauls teaching, he realized that he needed to return to his master and make restitution for the. The last of pauls authentic letters is the letter to philemon. There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19. 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. Paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our. One of his slaves, onesimus, had apparently stolen from him cf. The epistle shows that he was a believing christian and an esteemed acquaintance of the apostle. The letter to philemon is a brilliant affirmation of christian ethics.

Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth that. Paul not only says who wrote the book of philemon but he also tells who he wrote in to by. Philemon, a study guide from the executable outlines series by mark a. 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. Through pauls ministry onesimus had come to faith in jesus while a runaway slave. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. Summary of the book of philemon story of the bible. The book of philemon may be short, but its 25 verses pack a powerful spiritual punch. Audio and manuscripts are available for each lesson. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Onesimus, a slave in colossae, had evidently robbed philemon, his master verse 18, and run away. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. As the students study philemon they will combine 2 steps overview, closer look.

Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Copeland hundreds of free sermon outlines and bible study materials available for online browsing and downloading. Paul was imprisoned in rome when he wrote this personal. Included are historical insights, word definitions, discussion questions, assignments and a leaders guide. Also, through pauls words he will refocus the attention to christ and affirm the christian lifestyle. Although he had undoubtedly heard the gospel in philemons household. This knowing the bible series is a tremendous resource for those wanting to study and teach the bible with an understanding of how the gospel is woven throughout scripture.

This lesson continues the process of introducing students to inductive bible study. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Epistle to philemon read the bible online bible study tools. 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. 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.

Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is. The epistle is addressed to philemon, with the church in his house, and to sister apphia and archippus. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. The author paul declares himself to actually be the author in this short, one chapter book of philemon. 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. Participants will be encouraged to apply gods word to their lives. Study guide for philemon by chuck smith blue letter bible. 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. Philemon, onesimus master, was also a christian and pauls close friend.