Audio and manuscripts are available for each lesson. Paul was imprisoned in rome when he wrote this personal. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. Philemon overviewcloser look november 12, 2012 by kelly henderson. 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. This is because of the information in the book concerning onesimus who had comforted paul while he was in prison philemon 1. Epistle to philemon read the bible online bible study tools.
The letter to philemon is a brilliant affirmation of christian ethics. 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. This 2 part expository study of philemon was preached at flagstaff christian fellowship in 2007. Bible study of the letter to philemon and the lessons individuals can draw from this man from colossi rating. 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. The epistle shows that he was a believing christian and an esteemed acquaintance of the apostle. Now philemon owned slaves, and he had a slave named onesimus. 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. Tom constables expository notes on philemon this is also available in the net. Study guide for philemon by david guzik blue letter bible. Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ.
Its a little book that can get lost between the giants on either side, yet it has a powerful message. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. A life application bible study is inexpensive and contains lessons, charts, maps, study questions and notes. Lessons learned from philemon simple bible studies. This is the earliest known fragment of the epistle to philemon.
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. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the.
Onesimus, a slave in colossae, had evidently robbed philemon, his master verse 18, and run away. In that day, most runaway slaves, if caught, faced harsh punishment and sometimes even death. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. The book of philemon may be short, but its 25 verses pack a powerful spiritual punch. Visit our life application page for more information on how to use this work in a bible study. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus. 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.
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. Paul not only says who wrote the book of philemon but he also tells who he wrote in to by. As the students study philemon they will combine 2 steps overview, closer look. He did what most runaway slaves apparently didhe moved into a great metropolis. Onesimus took a chance one day, as any slave would have done, and made a run for it. This epistle is the story of three main characters, onesimus, philemon and paul and their interaction. Onesimus is mentioned in the book of colossians as one of you. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible. The last of pauls authentic letters is the letter to philemon. There were millions of people in asia minor, and philemon was just one of the men who came to know the lord jesus.
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. More insights from your bible study get started with logos bible software. 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. Included are historical insights, word definitions, discussion questions, assignments and a leaders guide. The epistle is addressed to philemon, with the church in his house, and to sister apphia and archippus.
Through pauls ministry onesimus had come to faith in jesus while a runaway slave. Philemon, onesimus master, was also a christian and pauls close friend. Onesimus is now returning to his master and paul hopes to influence how philemon responds to him. Before them, god had used law, history, poetry, prophecy, and the gospel records. One of his slaves, onesimus, had apparently stolen from him cf. Also, through pauls words he will refocus the attention to christ and affirm the christian lifestyle. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his. Philemon is a letter that showcases the cost of asking for and of granting forgiveness.
There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. 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. Paul reminded philemon that his life was saved when paul led him to christ, so philemon owed him a favor. Timothy, titus and philemon, by william barclay is great both as an indepth study for a group and as a daily guide for individuals.
Most people seem to mainly focus on the restitution of onesimus to philemon, but theres a lot more to it than that. 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. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. They would simply live christian lives and wait for the leavening teaching of. Summary of the book of philemon story of the bible. In time, as onesimus grew in the faith through pauls teaching, he. Paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our. 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. 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. Paul wrote this letter to philemon, a believer in colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner cf.
This lesson continues the process of introducing students to inductive bible study. Recently, some scholars have challenged the traditional reading of the letter and have proposed a. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. Philemon, a study guide from the executable outlines series by mark a. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. 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.
The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth that. 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. Here are gospelminded pastors and scholars doing gospel business from all the scriptures. Copeland hundreds of free sermon outlines and bible study materials available for online browsing and downloading. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is packed with abiding truths so needed in our modern world. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This is one of the most remarkable epistles in the scripture. Philemon in the picture study bible the book of philemon.
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. 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. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. Interesting that the content of this letter is directed to an individual, philemon. Study guide for philemon by chuck smith blue letter bible. Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse. The author paul declares himself to actually be the author in this short, one chapter book of philemon. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. Pauls letter to his christian brother philemon gives us a. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. Although he had undoubtedly heard the gospel in philemons household. 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.
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