Bible study of the book of philemon

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. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. 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. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. The last of pauls authentic letters is the letter to philemon.

Onesimus is now returning to his master and paul hopes to influence how philemon responds to him. 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. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. Onesimus is mentioned in the book of colossians as one of you. As the students study philemon they will combine 2 steps overview, closer look. Philemon, a study guide from the executable outlines series by mark a. They would simply live christian lives and wait for the leavening teaching of. 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. 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 with book summary versebyverse 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. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. 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. Through pauls ministry onesimus had come to faith in jesus while a runaway slave. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is packed with abiding truths so needed in our modern world.

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. A life application bible study is inexpensive and contains lessons, charts, maps, study questions and notes. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. An introduction to the book of philemon an argument of the book of philemon a selected bibliography of colossians and philemon.

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. Most people seem to mainly focus on the restitution of onesimus to philemon, but theres a lot more to it than that. 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. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. Philemon in the picture study bible the book of philemon. Paul wrote this letter to philemon, a believer in colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner cf. Also, through pauls words he will refocus the attention to christ and affirm the christian lifestyle. Paul not only says who wrote the book of philemon but he also tells who he wrote in to by. 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. The epistle is addressed to philemon, with the church in his house, and to sister apphia and archippus. 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. Interesting that the content of this letter is directed to an individual, philemon. Philemon, onesimus master, was also a christian and pauls close friend.

Pauls letter to his christian brother philemon gives us a. This 2 part expository study of philemon was preached at flagstaff christian fellowship in 2007. Philemon is a letter that showcases the cost of asking for and of granting forgiveness. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.

Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible. 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. 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. Now philemon owned slaves, and he had a slave named onesimus. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon. The book of philemon is considered by most scholars to be a companion letter to his epistle to the colossians. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Timothy, titus and philemon, by william barclay is great both as an indepth study for a group and as a daily guide for individuals. More insights from your bible study get started with logos bible software. Tom constables expository notes on philemon this is also available in the net.

Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. Bible study of the letter to philemon and the lessons individuals can draw from this man from colossi rating. Paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our. This is one of the most remarkable epistles in the scripture. 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. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications.

Philemon overviewcloser look november 12, 2012 by kelly henderson. Its a little book that can get lost between the giants on either side, yet it has a powerful message. Included are historical insights, word definitions, discussion questions, assignments and a leaders guide. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. This is because of the information in the book concerning onesimus who had comforted paul while he was in prison philemon 1. This is the earliest known fragment of the epistle to philemon. 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 letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. 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. Lessons learned from philemon simple bible studies.

Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the. The letter to philemon is a brilliant affirmation of christian ethics. The book of philemon may be short, but its 25 verses pack a powerful spiritual punch. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. The epistle shows that he was a believing christian and an esteemed acquaintance of the apostle. 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. Visit our life application page for more information on how to use this work in a bible study. 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. Copeland hundreds of free sermon outlines and bible study materials available for online browsing and downloading. Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ.

This epistle is the story of three main characters, onesimus, philemon and paul and their interaction. Audio and manuscripts are available for each lesson. There were millions of people in asia minor, and philemon was just one of the men who came to know the lord jesus. Although he had undoubtedly heard the gospel in philemons household. What does paul mean by saying he is a prisoner of christ jesus.

Study guide for philemon by david guzik blue letter bible. Before them, god had used law, history, poetry, prophecy, and the gospel records. In time, as onesimus grew in the faith through pauls teaching, he. Epistle to philemon read the bible online bible study tools. 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. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. One of his slaves, onesimus, had apparently stolen from him cf.

Here are gospelminded pastors and scholars doing gospel business from all the scriptures. Onesimus, a slave in colossae, had evidently robbed philemon, his master verse 18, and run away. Paul reminded philemon that his life was saved when paul led him to christ, so philemon owed him a favor. The author paul declares himself to actually be the author in this short, one chapter book of philemon. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Recently, some scholars have challenged the traditional reading of the letter and have proposed a. Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth that. In that day, most runaway slaves, if caught, faced harsh punishment and sometimes even death. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Paul was imprisoned in rome when he wrote this personal. 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. Summary of the book of philemon story of the bible. 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. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his.